[ RECOMMENDATION ]
10. Allow and
encourage local organizations to apply for public realm activation permits as
coalitions of community partners.
WHY
In many underserved communities, local organizations often have mixed levels of funding, resources, skill sets, and professional licenses or insurance coverage that need to be brought together to further empower action by local groups as collective groups.
“We’d love to see consistent and diverse programming. The thing right in front of you is the thing you know. Without a diverse coalition of people, you end up doing the thing you know.” Friends of Diversity Plaza
The City's existing public realm regulatory processes and programs (permits, licenses, financial assistance and technical assistance programs), however, often limit applications to single entities or organizations, and do not foster cross-collaboration and coalition-building at the local level. Community groups, therefore, often compete for resources and assistance with one another, or local public spaces end up being managed and activated by a single, well-resourced organization that may not necessarily represent the varied interests of local stakeholders.
In many underserved communities, local organizations often have mixed levels of funding, resources, skill sets, and professional licenses or insurance coverage that need to be brought together to further empower action by local groups as collective groups.
“We’d love to see consistent and diverse programming. The thing right in front of you is the thing you know. Without a diverse coalition of people, you end up doing the thing you know.” Friends of Diversity Plaza
The City's existing public realm regulatory processes and programs (permits, licenses, financial assistance and technical assistance programs), however, often limit applications to single entities or organizations, and do not foster cross-collaboration and coalition-building at the local level. Community groups, therefore, often compete for resources and assistance with one another, or local public spaces end up being managed and activated by a single, well-resourced organization that may not necessarily represent the varied interests of local stakeholders.
GOALS
︎ A User Experience
︎ B Long-Term Coordination
︎ C Inclusive Design
︎ D Collaboration and Communication
︎ E Support commerce and entrepreneurship
CATEGORY / TYPE
︎ Process / Regulatory Framework
︎ Funding
︎ Technical Assistance
︎ A User Experience
︎ B Long-Term Coordination
︎ C Inclusive Design
︎ D Collaboration and Communication
︎ E Support commerce and entrepreneurship
CATEGORY / TYPE
︎ Process / Regulatory Framework
︎ Funding
︎ Technical Assistance
HOW TO IMPLEMENT
As part of the
unification of public space permit application processes (see earlier
recommendation), the Public Realm Working Group should:
Ensure that all permit applications and grant applications relating to public realm management and activation allow for more than one applicant of record. Key applicant roles may include:
Ensure that all permit applications and grant applications relating to public realm management and activation allow for more than one applicant of record. Key applicant roles may include:
- fiduciary partner (to sign any grant agreements and administer
funds).
- operational partner (to lead and coordinate the planning and
management of any activations/events).
- outreach/engagement partner (to lead all public outreach and engagement activities leading up to, and during, program dates).
“This is NYC, people know how to use the street. People
are just dying for space. I love getting the chance to be the connector. It’s
kind of like the story of stone soup. People don’t believe there’s soup. And
then you put the stone in the pot and people are like ‘oh, amazing! I have
carrots.’ ‘Oh, I have celery.’ It’s like that with the space, you delineate
that it’s for us, the community. And then it’s like, ‘What are you going to do
with it?’ And then people come up with all sorts of stuff. Even in an area so
difficult as ours. Churches want to come out. Everyone has an idea. And so
leveling the playing field and saying ‘we’re open to all ideas.’ We’ve never
had big budget. Partnerships are how to move public space forward.”
Carey King, Uptown Grand Central
Carey King, Uptown Grand Central
︎︎︎ Executive Summary
︎︎︎ Introduction
︎︎︎ The Brief/Challenge
︎︎︎ Understanding the Regulatory Landscape
︎︎︎ Sidewalks
︎︎︎ Streets
︎︎︎ Plazas
︎︎︎ Navigating the Current Regulatory Process
︎︎︎ Adapting to the Pandemic
︎︎︎ Introduction
︎︎︎ The Brief/Challenge
︎︎︎ Understanding the Regulatory Landscape
︎︎︎ Sidewalks
︎︎︎ Streets
︎︎︎ Plazas
︎︎︎ Navigating the Current Regulatory Process
︎︎︎ Adapting to the Pandemic
︎︎︎ Enhancing the City’s Approach to Public Space Management
︎︎︎ Recommendations
︎︎︎ Appendix
︎︎︎ Credits
︎︎︎Watkins Public Space
︎︎︎What’s Up, Jamaica!
︎︎︎ Recommendations
︎︎︎ Appendix
︎︎︎ Credits
︎︎︎Watkins Public Space
︎︎︎What’s Up, Jamaica!