Proposed Community Program

During the first three months of the participatory-action research process, a common language emerged around the collective imaginings for the new community space. Many people expressed a desire for knowledge sharing, exchange, and education. Arts and culture programming also emerged as central desires. Immigrants, undocumented individuals, and language orientation were also mentioned. Employment and housing resources were requested, as well as after school programs for youth and children to craft stories and entertain each other. Accessibility, openness, and intergenerational gathering were also important. Recreation, activity, physical fitness, dancing, organizing, studying, learning, and community. Most importantly, a space for all of this to occur.

As the language channeled into themes, the following program genres formed:

Social & Recreation

Free Leisure Space

Education & Learning Organizing & Activism

Jobs & Vocational Training Events

On March 25th, the research findings were shared in person at Voces Ciudadanas. In this community meeting, a large week schedule was drawn on a wall where community members and organizations could express their visions for the community program using cardboard rectangles with different colors. The cardboard rectangles represented the program genres above.

Additionally, small shapes were used to represent age ranges for the use of the space. The schedule on the board stayed at Voces Ciudadanas for over a week. Community leaders from several organizations were asked to pass by and contribute to the program at their most convenient time. On April 13th, an online community forum was organized with four sessions, two in English and two in Spanish. During the online sessions, community leaders shared their opinions and helped shape the final community program.

The spatial configuration and limitations of the NYPD building also informed the allocation of space for programming. For example, the small walled-off room in the main floor is the perfect size to fit smaller groups for activities such as ESL learning. From this spatial understanding emerged multiple spatial-allocation scenarios.

Those that took part in the community events will see their desires reflected in the final design, and will hopefully take an active role in stewarding the space for years to come.