Design
Initiative Backs SCA Project
To
the Editors:
This
letter is in response to the editorial, entitled SCA Should
Focus on Community, published in the March 15 issue of the
Review. It suggested that the Sustainable Community Associates better
involve themselves within the existing institutional infrastructure
of the Oberlin community as they pursue developing 43 East College
Street.
I agree that it is important that members of the College bear in
mind the long-term needs and changes in the town when working with
community members, and that it is important that any developer seriously
consider and foster their relationship with the surrounding community.
However, the editorial seemed to imply that SCA is not working within
existing community organizations and committees; it suggested that
they get involved with the Oberlin Design Initiative and the Economic
Development/Restructuring committee. To that end, I would like to
take a moment to set the record straight.
As a Co-Director of the Oberlin Design Initiative, I can attest
to the work that we are doing in partnership with SCA and their
ambitious redevelopment project:
We have researched and assembled a set of state and national funding
mechanisms for construction and programming.
We are leading a team of students in working with a local architect
to research environmental design principles and technologies that
will be incorporated into the building.
And we are in the process of planning a series of community design
charrettes that will generate the best combination of design alternatives
for the open space behind their building.
As a member of the Economic Development/Restructuring committee,
I would like to point out the potential economic anchor that their
development could provide for the downtown. As that committee embarks
upon assembling an application for a Community Development Block
Grant, SCAs development will likely function as the necessary
element for receiving a large, and much needed, grant for downtown
building owners.
It is important to be involved in local committees, commissions,
and organizations, but those are only useful if you are working
towards some end. Committees are only a means to an end, and you
dont build buildings by committee.
Morgan
Williams
College senior
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