Project Description
This article appeared in the September 2020 issue of ARCHITECT .
With the notable exception of a beloved hardware store, most buildings along a 9-acre wedge of land between the Oakdale and South East End neighborhoods in Grand Rapids, Mich., sat vacant for years before attracting the interest of local organizations Rockford Construction and Amplify GR, and Northbrook, Ill.-based developer Brinshore. Hoping to begin eradicating generational poverty among residents, 35% of whom fall below the poverty line, by providing affordable housing and job growth, the organizations hired Chicago firm UrbanWorks to reimagine Boston Square. Through a collaborative process, the firm solicited ideas from the diverse community, which comprises 60% Black, 20% white, 15% Latino, and 5% Asian residents. “The only way to guard against gentrification is to have a community engagement process—to listen to what the community wants,” says UrbanWorks founding partner Patricia Saldaña Natke, FAIA.
The firm organized three open houses for the community, presenting design concepts in English and Spanish and offering listening stations where residents could give feedback about which neighborhood assets to preserve and what facilities could provide new opportunities—suggestions included an early learning center and welcoming outdoor spaces. For those neighbors unable to attend, UrbanWorks launched Boston Square Together, a website summarizing each open house and the evolution of the design process. The website “became the glue to hold everyone accountable for what was said and what to do,” Natke says.
UrbanWorks revealed its plan for the triangular site at the final open house in October; the project is targeting a 2025 completion date. The plan is anchored by a community hub and early learning center at the site’s southernmost point. Affordable housing lines the northern border, and on the western edge, retail options—including the relocated hardware store—offer job opportunities and foster local businesses. Expansive green spaces give residents a place to gather, allowing the community’s spirit to thrive. “With community engagement, each project is unique,” Natke says.
Project Credits
Project: Boston Square, Grand Rapids, Mich.
Client: Brinshore Development, Amplify GR, and Rockford Construction
Design Architect: UrbanWorks
Consulting Local Architect: IVNA
Landscape Architect: Viridis Design Group
Size: 9 acres (site)
Cost: Withheld