PROJECT
PROJECT INTRODUCTION
The Washington Park Neighborhood, located on Milwaukee’s west side, was a once thriving, middle-class community that attracted working European families. In the early 1980s, vital industrial and manufacturing jobs vacated the area, as did many of the original residents, and relocated to the suburbs of Milwaukee. Since then, the neighborhood has faced several challenges. These challenges are generally associated with a lack of safety, economic stability, neighborhood resources, development, accessibility, affordability and neighborhood identity and pride. These challenges have caused several residents to relocate elsewhere and as a result, many of the properties within the neighborhood are either vacant, pending demolition, in foreclosure or tax delinquent. This trend has been incredibly detrimental to the neighborhood. Vacant properties are not only aesthetically unpleasing, they also lower the value of adjacent properties, increase potential for crime activities, collect waste and garbage and create a hazardous and unhealthful living environment for residents.
This issue is not singular to the Washington Park Neighborhood. It is documented as a national problem; affecting major metropolitan areas such as Detroit, MI (18.6% vacancy rate), Baltimore, MD (7.3% vacancy rate), Toledo, OH (6.2% vacancy rate), and Montgomery, AL (5.4% vacancy rate) (US. Census Bureau, 2014). Utilizing the Washington Park Neighborhood as a case study, the objective of my thesis project is to devise a formula that can be applied to any urban-scale development project by taking advantage of the vast opportunities supplied by vacant properties. By providing programming strategies for vacant properties, the ultimate achievement is to establish a neighborhood that supports adaptability, connectivity and enrichment of daily experiences.
In the case of the Washington Park Neighborhood, there are three forms of vacancy. The first form is small-scale vacancy. I consider this to include vacant single family and duplex homes. This vacancy type is the most abundant and provides the greatest source for urban-scale adaptable re-use projects. The second form is large-scale vacancy. I consider this to include mid-scale to large-scale institutional and commercial buildings. Buildings with these particular characteristics are generally located along commercial corridors, such as W Lisbon Ave., W North Ave., and W Vliet St. Some large-scale institutions, such as schools, are commonly embedded within the residential context. The third form is underdeveloped land. I consider this to include land, generally 30'x120' in dimension that is void of any structural elements. Vacant plots are commonly found within the residential context as well as along the commercial corridor.
For the purpose of this project, I will be providing programming for; one large-scale vacancy, that being the 37th Street School on N 37th St., multiple small-scale vacancies and multiple underdeveloped land vacancies.
Architecturally, the 37th Street School will be transformed to accommodate multi-generational housing units. This is an important provision for many reasons. First, the neighborhood is currently lacking multiple housing options. The Autumn West Apartments on W. Lisbon Ave and a transitional housing complex on W. Lisbon Ave are currently the primary facilities providing multi-generational housing. Second, in establishing a “walkable” neighborhood, it is extremely important to provide diverse dwelling types that range in size. By providing a diverse range of dwelling types, residents can transition from a small living unit to a large living unit and vice versa as their space needs change without needing to relocate. This promotes neighborhood stability and strengthens relationships between residents. Third, providing diverse dwelling types also provides options for an array of income levels. It is important for a neighborhood to provide housing that is affordable to a range of people. By providing varying levels of affordability, a neighborhood is able to accommodate a diverse range residents differing in age, race, gender, income level, etc.
The small-scale vacancies, which consist primarily of vacant single family homes and duplexes, will be fitted to accommodate a kit-of-parts system that will allow inhabitants to adjust their space over time. Again, adaptability within the home is important because it provides options to the residents other than relocation. Many of the current homes within the Washington Park Neighborhood are vacant due to their lack of adaptability. The objective in providing homes that can be altered to accommodate one family, two families, or four families is to decrease the number of residential vacancies within the area.
The underdeveloped land vacancies, which consist primarily of 30'x120' vacant property parcels will be programmed to accommodate public common spaces that strive to enrich daily experiences. For this neighborhood in particular, it is important to establish public spaces that are safe, promote sociability between residents and represent the identity and culture of the neighborhood. By decentralizing the common community center, the objective is to increase the activity within the pedestrian scape and allow the public common spaces to create a network, which in turn should increase walkability and connectivity within the neighborhood.
The image below shows the chosen sites and surrounding context. The green indicates properties and structures that are currently vacant. The white indicates structures that are currently occupied.