This is Bed-Stuy
OVERview
The Bed-Stuy Business Improvement District (BID) initially engaged our team to help imagine and advance new visions for the Fulton Street corridor.
Stakeholder research revealed deeper neighborhood concerns, and we facilitated co-design workshops that connected a team of 15 local artists with business owners to address rising property costs and fears of displacement within the community. We collaborated with these stakeholders to develop a messaging campaign and articulate mutually beneficial ideas for the neighborhood's central commercial street.
Upon completion of phase one, I continued to support the Bed-Stuy BID communicate findings and ideas with its board and constituents.
SCOPE
July - September 2013
AFFILIATION
NYC Department of Small Business Services, Bed-Stuy BID / SVA Impact!
Role: Designer
Teammates: Ektaa Aggarwal and Daniela Escobar
Process
After conducting a series of mapping exercises and stakeholder interviews, we identified tension among the neighborhood's small business and arts communities - the groups best suited to improve life on the corridor. We designed series of workshops and launched a messaging campaign that connected local artists with business owners to develop mutually beneficial opportunities on Fulton Street.
We held a workshop at the Restoration Corporation's Skylight Gallery, and asked members of Bed-Stuy's BID and arts community to design and present flags inspired by their Bed-Stuy experiences. Conversations touched on fears, hopes, and pressing community needs without becoming accusatory. Both groups were surprised to share concerns about increasing development and rising prices.
The flag designs we also used to show BID members how local artists could be employed to create the public installations along commercial corridors that business owners had requested.
