The Wealthy-Jefferson Initiative: The Business Sector
Maria Beversluis, Sadie Healy, Daniel Heffner and Janelle Vandergrift, Calvin College
Rationale
Proposed Business Initiatives
The Inner City Christian Federation, along with community
members, business owners and city leaders have
expressed their mutual desire through charettes to
revitalize the Wealthy-Jefferson area. This includes both
the residential and business sectors. This project focuses
solely on the revitalization of the business sector, but in
cooperation with ICCF’s residential development initiative.
Research suggests that local business can in fact assist in
neighborhood revitalization.
“When combined with pedestrian-friendly street scapes, locating
every day amenities such as parks and retail shops within a
neighborhood can increase pedestrian travel and neighbor
interaction within a community” (Lund, 2003).
To move forward with this development we need support
from all stakeholders: local residents, business owners,
city leaders, churches, development agencies and
area investors.
Wealthy-Jefferson Current Conditions
Why Revitalization?
Parking is currently located along Wealthy Street where proposed business
will locate. Parking to accommodate the needs of businesses, residents and
St. Mary’s hospital will be re-located on the South side of the business
district. Moving parking to this location is important for safety and aesthetic
reasons.
It is necessary to create a diverse business sector of both well known
and local businesses that will appeal to all income levels to maintain
character of neighborhood as well as generate new growth.
W
S
Division Street
N
E
-The grocery store
must meet the needs
of each resident.
The grocery store will
need to accept WIC
and food stamps as
well as appeal to
individuals passing
by.
Grocery
Store, Trader
Joe’s
Hardware
Store, Ace
Hardware
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W
These are business suggestions that we are
offering residents, business owners and city leaders
of business options that we believe will generate the
revitalization of Wealthy Street from Jefferson to
Division Street. Suggestions are made in the
consideration of pre-existing businesses and
residents; it is intended to be for a mixed-income
population. Revitalization will be beneficial to
residents by hopefully eliminating current problems
in the area such as drugs and prostitution.
Wealthy-Jefferson Proposed Conditions
- The Hardware
Store is proposed to
fulfill the need for a
local hardware store.
E
A
L
T
Park
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H
Y
Current conditions of the Business sector along Wealthy Street
looking East from Division
Neighborhood Circa 1912
Neighborhood Today
4,744 residents
946 Residents
Sheldon Street
-“Public spaces in the
form of parks and civic
centers also serve as
symbols of civic pride
and sense of place
which promote the
notion of community”
(Talen, 1999).
- Shoe Store will ideally
appeal to a diverse
group of people
Shoe Store
Pizza Restaurant
and Beer Garden
S
- Pizza Restaurant and
Beer Garden will draw
from a diverse
population of
customers.
T
R
Consignment
Shop
Pharmacy
E
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Abstract
Ice Cream
Store
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LaGrave Street
-Consignment shops
have the potential to
drawn from upper,
middle and lower
class populations.
- It would be
beneficial to have a
pharmacy located in
walking distance to
the hospital.
- An ice cream store
located on the corner
of a roundabout will
be a child-friendly
location.
Jefferson Street
Proposed conditions of the Business sector along Wealthy
Street looking East from Division
Steps for Initiating Development
1. Consult all stakeholders: local residents, business owners, city
leaders, churches, development agencies and area investors.
Establish representatives from each stakeholder group.
2. Construct a committee composed of above named stakeholders to
recruit local as well as well-known businesses.
3. Seek funding from city officials, local philanthropists, non-profit
organization and local developers.
4. Explore possibilities for combating displacement due to gentrification
including residential tax caps, continued neighborhood involvement
and input as well as maintenance of original neighborhood culture
according to current residents.
5. Developers must be committed to LEED certified construction and
development as well as fostering walk-ability in order to promote
community.
References
Lund, Hollie. “Testing the Claims of New Urbanism: Local Access, Pedestrian Travel, and Neighboring
Behaviors.” Journal of American Planning Association 69.4 (2003): 414-29.
Talen, Emily. “Sense of Community and Neighborhood Form: An Assessment of the Social Doctrine of
New Urbanism.” Urban Studies 36.8 (1999): 1361-79.