Reconnectrondo

Build a bridge to better - creating an african american cultural enterprise district connected by a community land bridge. The rondo land bridge project aims to revitalize an african american cultural enterprise district. It offers an opportunity to build an inclusive and equity-based local economy that not only restores what was lost but creates a continuous cycle of net-positive economic, social, and environmental benefits for the neighborhood and beyond. The restorative development approach championed by reconnect rondo leverages the principles of the circular economy, regenerative urbanism and smart city technologies to create district wealth and well-being while intentionally creating traditional and alternative career paths and living-wage jobs for residents who have been denied access to economic opportunity in the past. The work of reconnect rondo serves as a national model for communities and has been a blueprint for communities similarly negatively impacted by transportation policy. State-funded technical studies - these studies have enabled the project to move forward with several concurrent studies, including a restorative neighborhood area plan that will work with the community to create a restorative framework to make the community's vision a reality. Working closely with our visionary client reconnect rondo and the full technical team, we are leading the work of developing an anti-displacement and community investment strategy. Our work seeks to identify opportunities to generate revenue that can be utilized for community benefits while identifying protections for existing community members. Reconnect rondo is leading a deep and thorough engagement process for community members and organizations for all the master planning plans. The studies are as follows: 1.rondo restorative neighborhood area planning study 2.restorative development modeling 3.4p finance model development 4.nepa/section 106 studies 5.netzero development project prototype 6.anti-displacement/overlay district and community investment strategy

Reconnect rondo stakeholder engagement stakeholder engagement has been at the heart of the reconnect rondo project, enabling us to connect with over 5,000 individuals through diverse events and initiatives. These gatherings, ranging from planning sessions to community festivals, have brought together a variety of stakeholders, including community members, local leaders, and elders, all contributing to the project's vision of reconnecting and strengthening the rondo neighborhood. These events foster a collaborative environment and reinforce our commitment to community-centered progress. 2023 activities overview -december 14: neighborhood restorative development area planning session -november 11: elder's brunch -october 11-14: reconnecting communities summit -september 9: selby jazz fest -august 21: community neighborhood planning session -august 10: jazz in action -july 24: coffee & conversation with keith (topic: anti-displacement & community investment) -july 22: v-fest -july 22: reconnect rondo elders brunch -july 20: slow roll - underground railroad tour -july 15: taste of rondo block party -july 13: jazz in action -july 8: elders brunch (45 participants) -june 22: slow roll & family dinner (over 75 participants) -june 19: rondo juneteenth block party (over 100 participants) -january 12: an evening to celebrate, honor, and reimagine at the amherst h. wilder foundation digital reach & engagement: -52% follower growth since june 23.' -500+ new social media followers since june 23.' -45,000 social media impressions since june 23.' -25,000 video views across platforms -166,000 webpage impressions last 12 months -17,000 new website visitors reconnect rondo youth council: the reconnect rondo youth council plays a pivotal role in advancing our mission. It centers youth voices through community outreach and engagement including podcast multimedia as well as a variety of educational and leadership opportunities that inform and empower the rondo community and other neighborhoods affected by the displacement of people due to urban renewal and transportation infrastructure. 1. Leadership development 2. Historical research 3. Community outreach and media production 4. Civic engagement and advocacy 5. Paid internships and entrepreneurship programs 6. Educational programs 7. Media assignments

Organizing of the ecosystem, the rondo roundtable the rondo roundtable consists of 14 historic rondo organizations working to restore the historic african american rondo community by establishing an arts cultural heritage and business district. The rondo roundtable is a key stakeholder group to ensure community voice remains at the forefront of all project development aspects. The roundtable has extensive and diverse work in community building design, art expressions, and creative placemaking. The rondo roundtable presents the opportunity for organizations throughout rondo to connect and be aware/informed of key initiatives, resources, and services being engaged within the community and offering partnership and increased engagement. The roundtable has identified five key strategies: -preserve the legacy of rondo -restore what was lost in rondo -support generational wealth building for black people -promote the future of rondo as a cultural district -support and amplify rondo roundtable organizations 2023 reconnecting communities summit: the 2023 reconnecting communities summit brought together over 20 communities from across the nation, garnering national media attention and reinforcing reconnect rondo's leadership in equitable development. This gathering served as a powerful catalyst, amplifying both local and national efforts to reconnect communities impacted by transportation policy. Through shared experiences, insights, and strategies, reconnect rondo not only strengthened its momentum but also achieved heightened community buy-in and expanded project participation, solidifying its role as a national model for inclusive, community-led development.