SEED by Jennifer King

WEST PORT ARTHUR SEED

Project Team: Greg Estes, Eimile Gavagan, Jules Gianakos, Jennifer King, Reid Mulligan, and Jay Taylor Community Design Resource Center Team: Susan Rogers, Director and Maria Oran, Research Assistant For More Information: Community Design Resource Center Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture 122 Architecture Bldg. Houston, TX 77204-4000 713.743.2403 skrogers@mail.uh.edu 2010

CONTENTS West Port Arthur: SEED

Introduction

Mobility Connections Legs and Wheels Art on the Move

Open Spaces Growing Green Going Green

49 Community Opportunities Hand-In-Glove Live and Learn Vision

CONNECTIONS

WEST PORT ARTHUR: SEED

OPPORTUNITIES

OPEN SPACES

Social, Economic, and Ecological Development

Over the course of the last year graduate students in the College of Architecture at the University of Houston, in partnership with the Collegeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Community Design Resource Center, have been studying the existing conditions in the West Port Arthur community as well as developing potential future strategies for community development and change, an idea we define as SEED.

The comprehensive project began with an analysis of the demographics, existing conditions, and opportunities in the community to identify both the community assets and constraints and as a means to develop broad-based design, community development and economic strategies that support and augment the existing social and cultural strengths of the community and its citizens. This report compiles the strategies developed for the West Port Arthur community which are focused in three areas: Mobility Connections; Open Spaces; and Community Opportunities. The strategies are all considered "SEEDS," programs that have the potential to begin small and grow into comprehensive and sustainable change in the community. For us, to SEED, is to address the social, economic, and ecological development challenges in communities and provide both pragmatic and visionary solutions.

This project is a partnership with the Community In-Power Development Association.

decreasing population

increasing land vacancy

need for community gathering space

SW OT STRENGTHS, WEAKNESSES, OPPORTUNITIES, and THREATS

solar farms/clean energy

The “West Port Arthur: Context” study highlighted the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in the community. The

soil reclamation

weaknesses and threats are the issues we have worked to mitigate, and the strengths and opportunities are the characteristics of the community that we have worked to build on. The strategies are divided

lack of personal transportation

into three areas: Mobility Connections; Community Opportunities; and Open Spaces. Mobility Connections work to link residents of West

few local amenities

Port Arthur to the greater resources of the city, including developing alternative transportation systems, enhancing pedestrian comfort

need for reliable public transportation

and connection, and supporting the existing transit system in the city. Community Opportunities focus on enhancing opportunities for economic development and employment, including developing co-

strong church community with resources connect people to places of work

operative models to serve the basic needs of residents, creative means to re-use building materials and repair homes, and the development of new jobs in the community. Finally, open spaces address the need to find new methods to mitigate the hazards of the surrounding petrochemical industries, while looking forward to new forms of clean

low income levels

energy, green jobs, and community sustainability such as community gardens.

low employment rates

Each of the strategies are considered “seeds,” or projects that can begin small but have the potential to grow into larger, more sustainable

need for local amenities

systems, over time. In this study, “SEED” is defined as building the social, economic, and ecological development opportunities in the West Port Arthur community, with the goal of attaining a truly sustainable

movement for green jobs

community in the future, where equity, economy, and ecology are maintained in balance. The following pages detail the strategies for

partnership with schools for job training

change developed for the West Port Arthur community.

ENVIRONMENT

CLEAN ENERGY PLANTS & PRODUCE AIR/GROUND TOXIN REMOVAL RECYCLED MATERIALS INSPIRED CREATIVITY

MURALS + PUBLIC ART JOB TRAINING CENTER

CULTURE

COMMUNITY GARDENS

OPEN SPACES

SOLAR FARM

VACANCY AWARENESS GREEN JOBS

SOIL RECLAMATION

REUSE WAREHOUSE CHURCH BUS ROUTES STREET ART NEW CITY BUS ROUTES STOREFRONT ART

EMPLOYMENT

HOME REPAIR JOBS

NEW BUS DRIVER JOBS EDUCATION

CREDIT UNION

SELF-RESPONSIBILITY

RELIABLE INCOME

DEVELOPMENT

REFINERY SUPPORT

COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES

HOME REPAIR

SPECIALIZED TRAINING

MOBILITY CONNECTIONS

CO-OPS

SOFTENS HARDSCAPES

BUS STOP STRUCTURES

SUSTAINABILITY PARTNERSHIP WITH SCHOOLS LOT IMPROVEMENTS DILAPIDATED HOME REMOVAL EVENT ANNOUNCEMENTS

CONNECTIVITY

EQUALITY EMPOWERED COMMUNITY VOLUNTARY SERVICE ACCESS TO AMENITIES

MOBILITY CONNECTIONS SEED

$ church transit buses

murals

storefront art

street art new bus stops

LONG TERM (PERMANENT)

SHORT TERM (QUICK-FIX)

new city bus routes low line

$$$$

MOBILITY CONNECTIONS Introduction

Reconnecting people

The West Port Arthur community is disconnected from the greater city, isolated adjacent to the heavy industrial activity of major refineries. The segregation of the community has led to disinvestment and abandonment, and the area has few amenities or resources. Many buildings have been boarded up or abandoned in the wake of substantial population loss and nearly half of the population survives on incomes below poverty level. Connections to employment, basic necessities, and resources is very limited in West Port Arthur. As a result, the Mobility Connections strategies seek to re-connect the residents through transit and build the community through public art.

The strategies are divided into two categories: Legs and Wheels and Art on the Move. The Legs and Wheels strategies are pragmatic, working to enhance transportation options to those who live in West Port Arthur, where nearly twenty-percent of the population depend on public transit or walking as a means for mobility. This includes the addition of a new bus route that would connect Carver Terrace and greater West Port Arthur to the basic services on the east side of town, including groceries, banking, and pharmacies. To support this proposal we also recommend the construction of bus shelters to provide a place to wait for the bus. As an interim to the new city bus route proposal, we also recommend that the faith-based community create a "transit coalition" to provide transportation via church buses to those with the most need in the community. Finally, we developed a proposal for a new pedestrian corridor, which titled the "Low Line," that would be an extension of the Thomas Boulevard trail west to connect with the former Lincoln High School and Carver Terrace, and south on the vacant land between Austin and Ft. Worth Avenues to connect to downtown.

The Art on the Move strategies are intended to seed creativity and involvement in the improvement of the West Port Arthur community. The proposed programs include murals, street art, and an "Art in Storefronts" program that would connect artists to vacant storefronts and provide both studio space and exhibit space for the artists, while activating vacant buildings with new activities.

Similar to all the strategies developed, the Mobility Connections proposals have the potential to grow over time transforming life in the West Port Arthur community by creating linkages and programs. All of the strategies build on the existing strengths of the West Port Arthur community as well as providing enhanced opportunities for economic development, mobility, creativity, and community involvement.

Improving transit and pedestrian amenities will improve mobility for everyone.

lack of personal transportation

few local amenities

need for reliable public transportation

strong church community with resources

connect people to places of work

}

MOBILITY CONNECTIONS

MOBILITY CONNECTIONS Concept

{

low line

LEGS and WHEELS

Strategies focus on improving mobility for the residents of West Port Arthur through new transit routes, pedestrian connections, and transit amenities. The strategies are proposed to be applied in the following locations: Thomas Avenue Low Line Existing Bus Routes Existing Bus Stops

new city bus routes

church transit buses

new bus stops

street art

ART ON THE MOVE

Strategies are focused on enhancing the pedestrian environment through public art. The proposed interventions include street art, murals, and storefront art. The strategies are proposed to be applied in the following locations: Along Transit Routes Vacant Buildings Major Community Intersections

storefront art

murals

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LEGS and WHEELS: Concept Map

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New City Bus Route

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Low Line

New Bus Stops Proposed Church Transit Route

MOBILITY CONNECTIONS: LEGS & WHEELS Strategies

LOW LINE The Low Line is the proposed extension of the Thomas Boulevard trail so that it connects the residents of the West Port Arthur community.

NEW CITY BUS ROUTES A new city bus route to connect the residents of West Port Arthur to the jobs and amenities on the east side of town is proposed.

NEW BUS STOPS In conjunction with the proposed new city bus route is the addition of bus stops. These shelters could be completed as community art projects.

CHURCH TRANSIT BUSES The Faith-Based community in West Port Arthur is very strong. We propose that the churches work to provide transit services to both the elderly and youth, helping them to connect to needed resources.

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The Low Line is an extension of the Thomas Boulevard ttrail rai ailil that th t cre creates cre a new pedestrian spine. pine inne. N

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Orchard Pavilion Street Art

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Bike Path

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Sitting Area

MOBILITY CONNECTIONS: LEGS & WHEELS Strategies

LOW LINE: The proposed Low Line creates a new pedestrian corridor connecting points throughout the west side of Port Arthur. It is envisioned that the Line would not only provide a pedestrian and bicycle corridor but would also become a community gathering area, lined with plants, gardens, trees for shade, and places for people to rest and gather. The Line is the extension of the Thomas Boulevard hike and bike trail east to West Port Arthur. The Low Line also extends south to Downtown along the vacant land between Austin Avenue and Ft. Worth Avenue. If completed the Low Line would connect all the major amenities in this area of Port Arthur including the park and community center, middle school, Lincoln High School, Carver Terrace, and Downtown, and provide an alternative means of transportation throughout the city.

The Low Line is modelled on the precedent of the High Line in New York City, where an abandoned elevated rail line has been transformed into a rich and varied community amenity that is planted with native grasses and wildflowers.

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BUS STOPS NEW ROUTE OLD ROUTES

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MOBILITY CONNECTIONS: LEGS & WHEELS Strategies

NEW BUS ROUTES AND BUS STOPS: In West Port Arthur nearly 20% of the population depend on public transportation or walking to get to work. In the City of Port Arthur as a whole this number is less than 5%. Yet, the current transit routes only skirt the West Port Arthur community. As a result we have proposed a new bus route to directly serve the community, and provide direct access to needed services, such as groceries, pharmacies, and employment opportunities. The new route is outlined on the map to the left. In addition, a new bus shelter public art project should be initiated to illustrate the creativity of the community and provide needed protection from the weather.

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The faith-based community can come together to provide roovide ovid ovi ov id ttran transportation raan a to needed services. ces es. es N

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Church 7T H

Proposed Church Transit Stops

MOBILITY CONNECTIONS: LEGS & WHEELS Strategies

CHURCH TRANSIT: Access to basic services is very difficult for those without transportation in the West Port Arthur community. The nearest grocery store and pharmacy are approximately four miles away, making it difficult to walk. The faith-based community is very strong in West Port Arthur, as a result we are proposing that the churches come together to develop a church bus transit system that would serve seniors and others in need in the community and provide regular service to the pharmacy and grocery store on the east side. This alternative transit system could great enhance access to needed services for those who do not have transportation.

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ART ON THE MOVE: Concept Map

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Murals

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Storefront Art

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Street Art

MOBILITY CONNECTIONS: ART ON THE MOVE Strategies

STREET ART Innovative Street Art is proposed for West Port Arthur's sidewalks and intersections. The art is seen as a catalyst to unite the community, inspire local development, and create a unique identity to the area.

STOREFRONT ART The Storefront Art program is proposed to provide a venue for local artists and community organizations, for example working in partnership with the local school district, Lamar University, or local artists. The program would build community pride, support local merchants, and improve the streetscape. The project is a celebration of the role of the arts in community-building.

MURALS The proposed Mural program is a tool to help to revitalize the appearance of vacant buildings throughout the city. The murals should be developed in partnership with local youth and community organizations, and should inspire the community to take an active role creating positive change.

Portland's "City Repair" project is a program to enhance the public areas of the City through volunteer and civic action. Each year the program improves an intersection or public area, often painting the streets with bright colors, as illustrated in the images at the bottom of this page. The program is organized and implemented by community leaders and volunteers. We believe that a similar program could be developed by leaders in the West Port Arthur community and could be a first step in representing the vibrant and rich community.

The arts build communities

MOBILITY CONNECTIONS: ART ON THE MOVE Strategies

Murals enrich communities throughout the United States. Murals represent creativity, vibrancy, and culture, all characteristics that are present in the West Port Arthur community. The arts have the potential to build communities. As a result, in addition to the "Art in Storefronts" and the street art program, we propose the creation of a community-driven mural program. In association with a renowned artist the Community InPower Development Association has already proposed two major mural projects for the city, one for the pavilion downtown and the other on the water tower. Vacant and occupied buildings could also become canvasses for the program. The murals have the potential to inspire the community to create art and be active in the redevelopment of the city. Integrating innovative art can also attract local development and build the identity of the city. The photographs below (left and middle) come from the West Port Arthur based Community In-Power Development Association, and the photograph below right is from the community-driven "Better Block" project in the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas.

MOBILITY CONNECTIONS: ART ON THE MOVE Strategies

Cities across the U.S. have embarked in "Art in Storefronts" programs to support local artists and provide a venue for them to both create and exhibit their work.

The proposed "Art in Storefronts" program could potentially be supported by the City and would select artists through an application process. Local artists should have priority over artists from other communities, and partnerships with local schools, Lamar University, community and youth organizations, churches and local artists would be encouraged. The program would provide both work space and exhibit space to the participating artists. The program aims to instill community pride, support local merchants, improve streetscape conditions and safety, revitalize the appearance of vacant properties, increase foot traffic, and support local artists. The project would also celebrate and support the role that the arts play in community-building and economic growth.

OPEN SPACES SEED

$ native planting

growing bags demonstration planting

horseshoes

community gardens soil remediation

recycling nodes

food carts public art + murals raised beds

bike racks

LONG TERM (PERMANENT)

SHORT TERM (QUICK-FIX) orchards tree planting environmental resource center

solar field/parking lot

$$$$

OPEN SPACES Introduction

into opportunity

Over the last several decades the West Port Arthur community has experienced significant population decline as well as a shift in economic and employment opportunities. These changes have led to a number of issues that need to be addressed including the large number of small and large vacant parcels scattered throughout the community, the lack of employment and economic opportunities in the community, and the need to remediate many former industrial sites. As a result, the Open Spaces strategies seek to turn vacancy into opportunity by proposing new uses and landscapes that together will provide job opportunities, improve access to healthy food, and mitigate soil and air quality hazards while enhancing the spaces for community gathering.

The strategies are divided into two categories: Growing Green and Going Green. The Growing Green strategies are seeded with small interventions such as “grow bags” for vegetable gardens, tree planting to provide additional canopies to clean the air, and vacant lot re-use for demonstration planting and raised beds. It is envisioned that these strategies will grow and develop over time as more and more citizens become involved, developing into schoolyard gardens, large-scale community gardens that will provide access to healthy food for the West Port Arthur community, and orchards.

The Going Green strategies are also seeded with small interventions such as the development of “recycling nodes,” the adaptation of small vacant lots for community amenities, such as horsehoes, pocket parks, or tot-lots, and the development of local food entrepreneurs through the provision of community gardens. Similar to all the strategies developed, the Going Green proposals have the potential to grow into larger strategies that will over time improve the environmental quality in the community, through the production of green, renewable energy in the solar fields and parking lot, and enhance environmental education through the proposed Environmental Resource Center.

All of the strategies build on the existing strengths of the West Port Arthur community as well as providing enhanced opportunities for economic development, environmental remediation, and community involvement.

with new gardens and native plants and new â&#x20AC;&#x153;greenâ&#x20AC;? opportunities

decreasing population

increasing land vacancy

need for community gathering space

clean and renewable energy

soil remediation

}

OPEN SPACES

OPEN SPACES Concept

{

community gardens

GROWING GREEN

Strategies focus on developing urban agriculture, gardens, and native planting to provide access to healthy food, improve the air quality, and remediate the soil. The strategies are proposed to be applied in the following locations: Vacant Lots Westside Brownfields Along Houston Avenue

orchards

native planting

soil remediation

solar field/parking lot

GOING GREEN

Strategies are environmental, educational, and community amenities that build opportunities for environmental awareness and renewable energy, and link the West Port Arthur community to these resources. The strategies are proposed to be applied in the following locations: Former Tank Farm Thomas Avenue Texaco Park

environmental resource center

green bridges

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GROWING GREEN: Concept Map

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Orchards Native Plants Vacant Lots

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Community Gardens

OPEN SPACES: GROWING GREEN Strategies

COMMUNITY GARDENS

Community Gardens are proposed as a primary strategy for the adaptive of re-use of vacant property in West Port Arthur. The gardens have the potential to become catalysts for community engagement and change.

ORCHARDS

Orchards are proposed for the former railroad right-of-way just north of Houston Avenue. The trees will provide shade and be a source of community gathering and connectedness.

NATIVE PLANTING

Native planting is proposed for the former tank farm adjacent to Carver Terrace and in other vacant land throughout the community. The planting can include grasses and wild flowers, and will be used to the clean soil, mitigate erosion, and reduce the need for irrigation.

VACANT LOTS

Strategies for the adaptive re-use of vacant lots throughout the City of Port Arthur are focused on providing family recreation areas, pocket parks, games and sports, community gardens, and other amenities.

Urban agriculture and community gardens can provide economic opportunity and improve the health of community residents

OPEN SPACES: GROWING GREEN Strategies

The West Port Arthur community can be defined as a "food desert," an area where residents have little access to fresh fruit and vegetables, especially those without transportation. It is also a city with many vacant lots and under-utilized properties. Community gardens can work towards addressing these issues, providing accessibility to fresh produce while at the same time resulting in community engagement, neighborhood improvement, and sustainability. We believe that the gardens can start small in "grow bags" and small raised beds, and over time transform into a major urban agriculture project with large scale gardening and greenhouses. The gardens also have the potential to spark economic development in the community, and be the first step in establishing a community co-operative market.

In addition to community gardens, vacant land can also be used to provide community amenities. One primary focus of this effort is to re-establish Texaco Park as a hub for recreation and play in the West Port Arthur community. We propose to provide a trail around the park, play areas for children, an interactive water fountain and new trees surrounded by benches for shaded seating.

The quality of our environment, including the air, soil and water, can be improved with trees and vegetation. Trees help create rain as they expel moisture into the atmosphere, and their canopies draw carbon monoxide from the air and return oxygen, cleaning the air that we breath. Roots help hold soil in place, preventing erosion, which also helps to keep our waterways clean. As a result, we propose that a large orchard be planted on the former railroad right-of-way north of Houston Avenue utilizing fruit and nut trees that are appropriate for the climate, which includes varieties of peach, fig, apricot, nectarine, plum, jujube, pear, loquat, and apple trees. The trees will not only work to improve the environment and provide shade, but will also bear fruit that can help support the creation of a fresh fruit and vegetable co-operative market in the community.

OPEN SPACES: GROWING GREEN Strategies

IT STARTS WITH ONE 39

Vacant lots can be re-purposed to serve as community gathering areas with a great deal of ingenuity, a bounty of community involvement, but little investment.

OPEN SPACES: GROWING GREEN Strategies

Kelley’s Kitchen is quickly growing into a central community gathering space. Its location is crucial to the revitalization of West Port Arthur. This plan takes advantage of the adjoining vacant lot and proposes to expand to an outdoor recreational, social, and park area. The space would not only serve as an extension of Kelley’s Kitchen, but also as an informal meeting space for the community to unwind and socialize. The horseshoe pits in the vacant lot next to Kelley’s Kitchen has already shown an increase in community involvement and activities. If this plan was implemented throughout the westside by using vacant lots as pocket parks, tot-lots, gardens, and other amenities the community can begin to re-build West Port Arthur together.

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GOING GREEN: Concept Map

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Solar Field and Parking Lot Green Bridges

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Environmental Resource Center

OPEN SPACES: GOING GREEN Strategies

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE CENTER The Environmental Resource Center is a proposed educational center that would provide hands-on environmental classes and programs for youth from West Port Arthur and the greater city, with a focus on developing interest in,and skills for, the 21st century “green economy.” The center is proposed to be located in the existing Texaco Park.

SOLAR FIELD and PARKING LOT The Solar Parking Lot and Field is proposed to be located on the southwest side of the former tank farm, adjacent to Carver Terrace. The exisitng park lot will become a field of solar “trees” that have the potential to provide opportunities to plug-in electric cars as well as provide renewable and affordable power to the West Port Arthur community.

GREEN BRIDGES The Green Bridges connect the residents of Carver Terrace to Lincoln High School and other amenities in West Port Arthur, including the proposed Environmental Resource Center. The bridges are decks built over the former tank farm, that is proposed to be planted with vegetation that has the potential to remediate the soil. The bridges turn a liability into a potential asset.

PARK AREA + SOIL REMEDATION (ENVIRONMENTAL)

ENVIRONMENTAL + ECONOMIC Energy Efficiency Subsidies Off the Grid

ENVIROMENTAL + SOCIAL Enviromental Justice Social Awareness

SOLAR PARKING LOT (SUSTAINABILITY)

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE CENTER (ECONOMIC)

The Carkeekâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Park Environmental Learning Center Seattle, Washington The Carkeek Park Environmental Learning Center provides educational programs for residents in sustainability, including showcasing green building techniques. The learning center is a model for resource efficiency and protection of human health and the environment. There are classrooms, activity rooms, and community meeting spaces.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT (SOCIAL)

OPEN SPACES: GOING GREEN Strategies

The proposed ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCE CENTER would serve as a community hub for education, training, and information on sustainability and the environment.

The Environmental Resource Center is a proposed learning and training center for people of all ages in the community. The Center will provide classes and programs focused on sustainability, including green building materials, energy saving, and adaptive re-use strategies. The Center will also actively engage residents in air quality monitoring, soil testing, and understanding other hazards in their environment. Green job training, urban gardening, education, and other skill building courses are also proposed to be offered at the center.

SOLAR FIELD and PARKING LOT: The proposed Solar Parking Lot provides an opportunity for Port Arthur to transform the image of the city, from that of a traditional refinery town, to a new city focused on the future of green, renewable sources of energy. The existing parking lot, just south of the former tank farm, is proposed to be retrofitted with solar trees that will generate energy, provide shade for the parked cars, incorporate plugs for electric vehicles, as well as providing a demonstration site for renewable energy opportunities. As the potential for renewable energy sources are demonstrated additional solar fields can be created throughout Port Arthur, reducing the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dependence on fossil fuels and transforming the image of the city.

SOLAR FIELDS have the potential to provide a new future for the city.

OPEN SPACES: GOING GREEN Strategies

GREEN BRIDGES, elevated on decks over the former tank farm, will provide new connectivity for the residents of West Port Arthur and the ground surface will be planted for soil remediation.

GREEN BRIDGES: The Green Bridges strategy works to achieve two goals: first to connect the residents of Carver Terrace to the surrounding community amenities, such as Lincoln High School, and the larger West Port Arthur community, and the second is to provide remediation for the soil of the former tank farm. To accomplish these goals the site will be planted with native vegetation and other plants that have the ability to cleanse the soil, across this planting area decks, or bridges, will be constructed to provide a safe means of travel over and across the site. Trees can also be planted to establish shade on the paths and assist with cleaning the air. Additionally, we have proposed a bee colony area. Bees will help pollinate the proposed vegetation and potentially build a home-grown business in honey.

COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES SEED

re-use donation center

basketball courts

book donation soccer lelds

reading rooms or benches

raised box gardens

LONG TERM (PERMANENT)

SHORT TERM (QUICK-FIX)

community gardens

recreation center building home repair and construction

credit union

$$$$

library charter school

COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES Introduction

Opportunities for Change

Over the last several decades the West Port Arthur community has experienced significant population decline as well as a shift in economic and employment opportunities. These changes have led to widespread disinvestment in the community as well as a lack of community resources and opportunities. Unemployment in the area is significant, educational attainment is below the city average, and poverty is widespread. To combat these issues the Community Opportunities strategies seek to seed change, creating local employment and business opportunities, places of gathering, and places of learning and fun, transforming West Port Arthur into a place of opportunity.

The strategies are divided into two categories: Hand-In-Glove and Live and Learn. The Hand-In-Glove strategies are focused on enhancing economic and employment opportunities in the community. The strategies include proposals for a new community food co-operative that would begin from the bounty of the proposed community gardens and grow over time into a full-service grocery, a community credit union, and a Re-Use Warehouse for the recycling of building materials, job training, and home repair assistance. Similar to other strategies, the Re-Use Warehouse for example, begins small as simply a place to donate surplus materials from construction sites or salvaged materials from demolition projects. Over time the Warehouse will expand its offerings, providing job-training and educational programs.

The Live and Learn strategies are focused on creating educational and community resources for West Port Arthur. The proposals include a library, recreation and community center, and a charter high school. The proposals began small, as seeds, such as creating a book donation program, and grow into permanent facilities, such as a community library.

All of the strategies build on the existing strengths of the West Port Arthur community as well as providing enhanced opportunities for economic development, employment, entrepreneurship, and community involvement.

lack of personal transportation

movement for green jobs

Opportunities are seeded across the West Port Arthur community

low employment rates

low income levels

connect people to places of work

lack of personal transportation

few local amenities

need for reliable public transportation

lack of local educational facilities

need for community gathering space

}

COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES

COMMUNITY OPPORTUNITIES Concept

{

grocery co-operative

HAND-IN-GLOVE

Strategies focus on building basic amenities in the West Port Arthur community, including banking services, fresh foods and groceries, and affordable building supplies. New forms of economic development, such as co-operatives and community kitchens are also being proposed to help the community meet its basic needs.

credit union

re-use warehouse

home repair workshops

library

LIVE and LEARN

Strategies are focused on building the educational resources in the West Port Arthur community, including a library and charter school. In addition, a recreation center, where the community can come together is also being proposed.

recreation center

charter/vocational school

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HAND-IN-GLOVE: Concept Map

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Community Resources Focus Area

OPPORTUNITIES: HAND-IN-GLOVE Strategies

FOOD CO-OPERATIVE A community food co-ooperative, nurtured by residents, could grow over time, providing access to fresh food, healthy nutrition and job opportunities.

CREDIT UNION A credit union can provide a full-range of financial services to residents of West Port Arthur who currently do not have access to banking services.

RE-USE WAREHOUSE The proposed Re-Use Warehouse would be a non-profit organization dedicated to providing job-training programs, recycling building materials, and providing home repair classes.

HOME REPAIR WORKSHOPS In association with Re-Use Warehouse, Home Repair Workshops would be provided to assist residents with minor repairs, provide a tool lending library, and classes on weatherization.

The West Port Arthur community can be defined as a "food desert."

(5) Education, Training and Information; (6) Cooperation among

The nearest grocery store is nearly four miles away and many

Cooperatives; and (7) Concern for Community.

residents do not have access to transportation. The health and nutrition of children and families in West Port Arthur depends on

In the tradition of their founders, cooperative members believe in the

having access to fresh food. As a result, we have proposed that a

ethical values of honesty, openness, social responsibility and caring

community food co-operative be developed.

for others. A West Port Arthur community food co-operative is ideal for nurturing community development and change in an effective and

A cooperative is a business organization owned and operated

inexpensive way.

by a group of individuals for their mutual benefit. It is owned and controlled equally by the people who use its services or by the people who work there. The cooperative movement has been fueled globally by ideas of economic democracy. Economic democracy is a socioeconomic philosophy that suggests an expansion of decisionmaking power from a small minority of corporate shareholders to a larger majority of public stakeholders. Cooperatives are based on the values of "self-help, self-responsibility, democracy and equality, equity and solidarity" and the seven cooperative principles: (1) Voluntary and Open Membership; (2) Democratic Member Control; (3) Member Economic Participation; (4) Autonomy and Independence;

A community food co-operative, nurtured by residents, could grow over time, providing access to fresh food and job opportunities.

OPPORTUNITIES: HAND-IN-GLOVE Strategies

Steps for Creating a Community Food Co-Op Step 1: Raised-Box Gardening Starting with raised-box gardening takes little effort, cost or space, but can quickly become a great source of pride for everyone involved. Not only is gardening therapeutic as a collective effort, it can create an agricultural center for the community and provide fresh produce for individuals and families.

Step 2: Farmers Market A large gardening effort can give way to the possibility for regular farmerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s markets, where the bounties of the soil can be shared across the city. By developing a community co-operative system, revenue can be put back into the groupâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s efforts, and has the potential to be invested in a permanent location to establish a grocery store.

Step 3: Co-operative Grocery A grocery store with fresh produce would be a much needed addition to West Port Arthur, providing options for healthy food, but also creating jobs and generating community improvement.

Steps for Creating a Re-Use Warehouse Step 1: Collecting Building Materials Throughout Port Arthur there are buildings in need of demolition. A job-training program that would provide education on building deconstruction, preserving valuable materials for re-use, could provide both opportunities and economic resources in the community.

Step 2: Establishing the Re-Use Warehouse Similar to the Habitat for Humanity "Re-Store" program, which sells salvaged building materials, a "ReUse Warehouse" in West Port Arthur could become a resource for small home repairs and even new construction, while at the same time preserving our limited resources. The Warehouse will also provide employment and job training services for residents.

Step 3: Providing Home Repair Classes and Tools It is proposed that the Re-Use Warehouse also become an educational workshop that would provide classes in minor home repairs or weatherizing techniques. The Warehouse could also provide a tool lending library to assist homeowners in completing repairs. Over time, the program could help provide affordable housing in the neighborhood.

OPPORTUNITIES: HAND-IN-GLOVE Strategies

Port Arthur's population has dispersed and declined over recent decades creating an abundance of vacant and dilapidated buildings in the center of the city. Unemployment and poverty are also pervasive in the city. It is proposed that a program to teach deconstruction skills, recycle and re-use building materials, and provide home repair and weatherization classes be developed. The program would be focused in the proposed Re-Use Warehouse, a non-profit organization, that would collect reusable building materials. The Re-Use Warehouse would collect these materials from new construction sites as well as collect salvaged materials from demolition sites. The materials would be available for community uses and home repairs, rather than continuing to allow these potential resources to clutter the streets and landfills. People and businesses would be encouraged to donate materials to the program.

The Re-Use Warehouse would also provide a job-training program focused on deconstruction skills, and provide classes to community residents on minor home repair and weatherization. A small tool lending library would support the do-it-yourself program and help residents access the equipment they need.

building materials can generate jobs. 59

OPPORTUNITIES: HAND-IN-GLOVE Strategies

In low-income communities across the United States access to banking services is a significant constraint. It is often the case that residents must rely on check-cashing establishments, money orders, or expensive convenient store ATMs, which greatly increase the costs of banking services, this is the case in West Port Arthur. As a result,

A credit union can provide a fullrange of financial services to residents.

it is proposed that a West Port Arthur Credit Union be developed to provide a full range of financial services to residents.

A Credit Union is a co-operative financial institution that is owned and controlled by its members and operates for the purpose of promoting thrift, providing credit at reasonable rates, and providing other financial services to its members. Credit Unions contribute to community development on a local level and are typically smaller than banks but provide the same basic services. Worldwide, credit union systems vary significantly in terms of total size, ranging from volunteer operations with a handful of members, to institutions with several billion dollars in assets and hundreds of thousands of members. A credit union owned and operated by its members provides needed banking services, creates jobs, provides affordable and local loan agreements, and reduces financial dependency on outside investors.

SA VA NN

LIVE and LEARN: Concept Map

7T H

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Community Resources Focus Area

OPPORTUNITIES: LIVE and LEARN Strategies

LIBRARY

RECREATION CENTER The proposed recreation center is intended to serve a multitude of uses and events, including meetings, banquets, dances, and dining. The Center would be equipped with a full kitchen for cooking classes, open multi-purpose spaces for large gatherings, and fields and courts for sporting activities, this center would become a hub for the community in West Port Arthur.

CHARTER SCHOOL A Charter High School is proposed to serve West Port Arthur students. Currently students travel to Nederland for classes and the closing of Lincoln High School has had a negative effect on the community. Providing community-based education can strengthen the neighborhood's commitment to lifelong learning.

Stories of Success: Community Library The Community Library began in 1977 with 3,000 books and a

Steps for Creating a Community Library Step 1: Book Collection

dedicated band of volunteers. Housed in one room at Salem Grade

The initial step to building a library is clear, collect books. All that is

School, the library was open 28 hours a week. In 1980, a joint

necessary for this step is an indoor space that is air-conditioned to

agreement was signed by Salem and Paddock Lake establishing the

keep the books in good condition and a few volunteers to organize the

Community Library as a municipal library funded by local taxes. The

books.

Library then joined with Kenosha Public Library to form the Kenosha

Step 2: Reading Room

County Federated Library System; residents of Kenosha County now

Once books are available, the next step would be to create a reading

pay either a municipal or a county tax for library services. The Library

environment. This can take many forms, including benches along a

moved to Silver Lake in 1981, and Silver Lake became a member of

nice walkway, such as Thomas Boulevard, or a small outdoor covered

the library district in 1987. Twin Lakes and Randall joined the district

structure.

in 1993 with the opening of a facility in Twin Lakes. In 1993 Paddock Lake, Silver Lake, and Salem agreed to build a much needed new facility. Construction began in June of 1994 and the new building opened in May of 1995.

To date, the Library has issued more than 25,000 cards and has a collection of more than 60,000 items. There are 8 full-time and 21 part-time employees, but volunteers continue to play a vital role in the day-to-day operations. The Library also has the cooperation and loyal support of the Friends of the Community Library.

Step 3: Community Library Establish a permanent community library.

OPPORTUNITIES: LIVE and LEARN Strategies

A Library provides valuable educational services for a community. The closest library to the West Port Arthur neighborhood is six miles, and many residents do not have access to transportation. As a result, we propose a new library to serve the residents that would be created from donated books and materials, but that would also provide internet service. The most important facet of the library and book dropâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s location is proximity to Carver Terrace. In this regard, we propose that the library be located near Washington Park, adjacent to Washington Elementary School. As influential as young minds can be, it would be encouraging and potentially contagious for them to see their older brothers and sisters as well as their parents nearby either dropping off books, choosing books to read or volunteering at the book drop. Similar to the food co-op it is proposed that the library be built one step at a time, beginning with book donation and collection, to the development of a community reading room, to a permanent structure.

Citizens can play an active role in creating a community library, it can be as easy as beginning a book donation program.

Stories of Success: Dennilton Center The Dennilton Center is a project sponsored by Architecture for Humanity for NextAid, a South African non-profit organization that runs several programs to engage community members of all ages in addressing the problems that affect their community. NextAid is working with ecological architect Joseph Kennedy, and a team of international volunteer designers and natural builders, to design and build an earth-friendly center for teenagers and a home for an additional 50 children orphaned by AIDS. It will be a community resource center and a beacon of hope. The Dennilton Center will serve as a model for sustainable centers and small scale projects that NextAid plans to develop throughout the African continent. Architecture for Humanity (AFH), the sponsor of this project, provides an incredible example of success. Starting with a few hundred dollars and an idea, Cameron Sinclair decided to hold a design competition in response to the humanitarian crisis in Kosovo. Since then AFH has grown into a model nonprofit inspiring and helping communities around the world. Through the power of professional design, AFH builds safer, more sustainable and highly innovative structures that become assets to their communities and ongoing symbols of the ability of people to come together to envision a better future.

A center for the West Port Arthur community to gather will build civic engagement and participation.

OPPORTUNITIES: LIVE and LEARN Strategies

The proposed recreation center is intended to serve a multitude of uses and events, including meetings, banquets, dances, and dining. The Center would be equipped with a full community kitchen for cooking classes, open multi-purpose spaces for large gatherings, and fields and courts for sporting activities, this center would become a hub for the community in West Port Arthur. We propose that the Recreation Center be located centrally in West Port Arthur, adjacent to Washington Park and Washington Elementary School, as well as the proposed "Low Line." The Recreation Center has the potential to become a community gathering space and the center of civic engagement.

Stories of Success: KIPP KIPP, a charter school, stands for the Knowledge is Power Program. Charter schools have become increasingly popular throughout the U.S. as traditional school districts, particularly urban ones, are not succeeding. Charter Schools receive federal funding for students but provide their own facilities. Charter Schools also have greater flexibility in selecting both curriculum and staff. Because of this, teachers cater to studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; needs more easily, and KIPP is an example of the success a charter school can achieve. With schools in approximately 30 cities, KIPP focuses on and recruits students who are zoned to consistently unsuccessful schools at the elementary, middle and high school levels. Of those 30 cities, several are similar to West Port Arthur in both size and financial need.

Steps for Establishing a Charter High School Step 1: Community Action Team The first step is to create a Community Action Team that is charged with lobbying for a Charter School.

Step 2: Temporary Facility The second step is to locate a temporary facility for the school within the West Port Arthur community. Modular buildings, because of their affordability, are often used for charter schools.

Step 3: New School Establish a permanent charter school.

OPPORTUNITIES: LIVE and LEARN Strategies

A Charter High School is proposed to serve West Port Arthur students. Currently students travel to Nederland for classes and the closing of Lincoln High School has had a negative effect on the community. Providing community-based education can strengthen the neighborhood's commitment to lifelong learning. We recommend that the school be located adjacent or close to the former Lincoln High School, which is now serving as a middle school. The proximity between the schools has the potential to create a â&#x20AC;&#x153;learning community campusâ&#x20AC;? where students of all ages come together. In addition, Charter Schools are a means to access very high quality education for students that traditional school settings and districts have failed, and would be a substantial asset to the West Port Arthur community.

Create a "learning community" in West Port Arthur.

The vision for West Port Arthur is focused on creating connections, developing open spaces, and building opportunitiesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;while working to seed and grow a sustainable communityy by focusing on social, econom mic, and ecological develoopment.

Solar Field and Parking Lot Greeen Bridgees Environmenntal Resouurce Centeer Parrk

VISION SEED

Creditt Unioon Sportts Fiellds Comm munitty Food Co--op Comm munitty Gardenss New Housinng Re-Usse Waarehouse

Low Line Orchard

VISION SEED

The West Port Arthur community is disconnected from the greater city, isolated adjacent to the heavy industrial activity of major refineries. The segregation of the community has led to disinvestment and abandonment, and the area has few amenities or resources. Many buildings have been boarded up or abandoned in the wake of substantial population loss and nearly half of the population survives on incomes below poverty level. Connections to employment, basic necessities, and resources is very limited in West Port Arthur. As a result, the strategies to seek to seed comprehensive and sustainable community transformation in West Port Arthur.

Connections are created through the development of a green pedestrian corridor, the "Low Line," and mobility is enhanced through the activation of streets and sidewalks. LEFT: Perspective Rendering of the green pedestrian corridor, the "Low Line" ABOVE: Perspective Rendering of the "Art in Storefronts" proposal

Open Spaces strategies seek to turn vacancy into opportunity by proposing new uses and landscapes that together will provide job opportunities, improve access to healthy food, and mitigate soil and air quality hazards, while enhancing the spaces for community gathering. These spaces include community gardens and new solar energy fields.

VISION SEED

Community Opportunities strategies seek to seed change, creating local employment and business opportunities, spaces to gather, and places of learning and fun, transforming West Port Arthur into a place of opportunity.

OPPOSITE PAGE, LEFT: Perspective rendering of the new community gardens THIS PAGE, TOP: Perspective rendering of the proposed solar fields THIS PAGE, BOTTOM: Perspective rendering of the new recreation center

Community Design Resource Center University of Houston 2010