One of my favorite movies of the early 90's is New Jack City. When it came out, I was a teenage knucklehead - thinking I was a gangbanger. Well, one night, I was watching New Jack City on DVR and I fell asleep. I began to dream.....
A group of moderately successful, yet highly conscious Black folks got together for a special purpose. They noticed due to burst in housing bubble and weak economy that home values were dipping to decade lows. They had a plan. They would pinpoint a relatively commercially successful Black community with decent access to transportation means, i.e. freeways, train depot, bus routes, etc., that was declining in value and experiencing an increase in vacancies. They would begin to purchase property and land in these areas at rock bottom prices. Some in the group were strictly to purchase residential property and others would purchase commercial property and vacant land.
After they had accomplished a buyout of 25-50% of the property in a designated area, they would began renovation, rehabilitation and revitalization. Old dilapidated houses were gutted, redesigned, transformed and resurfaced. Old commercial areas were repaved, rehabilitated, and resurfaced. A couple old fourplexes were purchased and transformed as well.
The new homes on one street needed tenants and immediately a tenant search was performed to fill the homes. A thorough application process was instituted to ensure only people with integrity with a sense of community pride would move in. Rules were set that no b/s would go down on the block first, next the street and soon other streets. A community open house was held to invite all new members to meet, mingle and mix with their neighbors. From this a neighborhood watch was formed.
Once the residential phase was completed, the commercial phase began with a centralized strip mall area. The goal was to have a barbershop, cafe, beauty salon, light hardware store and a modest corner store. The owners of these shops were encouraged to relocate in the community. Those that did received a discounted rent. The pilot development was a success and soon other commercial areas were opened for business.
The real property that was purchased, nothing more than a few brownfields and dust areas, was planted with fresh sod and a dozen treelings. One area was selected as a community pride garden with flowerbeds, a variety of plants and bushes - seasonals and perennials. At the entrance into the community was a common area with a park bench and a metal brick red structure shaped into the Adinkra symbol of Fawohodie that had bright yellow ribbons tied around it. The unofficial name of the community was called "Independence Park." Eventually, the street through the main commercial area was emblazoned with bright yellow flags with red Adinkra symbols on them hanging from the light posts.
That was my dream. A New Black City. Do you like this dream? If so, what can we do to make it a reality?
The Bird (still Black - always and forever)
A group of moderately successful, yet highly conscious Black folks got together for a special purpose. They noticed due to burst in housing bubble and weak economy that home values were dipping to decade lows. They had a plan. They would pinpoint a relatively commercially successful Black community with decent access to transportation means, i.e. freeways, train depot, bus routes, etc., that was declining in value and experiencing an increase in vacancies. They would begin to purchase property and land in these areas at rock bottom prices. Some in the group were strictly to purchase residential property and others would purchase commercial property and vacant land.
After they had accomplished a buyout of 25-50% of the property in a designated area, they would began renovation, rehabilitation and revitalization. Old dilapidated houses were gutted, redesigned, transformed and resurfaced. Old commercial areas were repaved, rehabilitated, and resurfaced. A couple old fourplexes were purchased and transformed as well.
The new homes on one street needed tenants and immediately a tenant search was performed to fill the homes. A thorough application process was instituted to ensure only people with integrity with a sense of community pride would move in. Rules were set that no b/s would go down on the block first, next the street and soon other streets. A community open house was held to invite all new members to meet, mingle and mix with their neighbors. From this a neighborhood watch was formed.
Once the residential phase was completed, the commercial phase began with a centralized strip mall area. The goal was to have a barbershop, cafe, beauty salon, light hardware store and a modest corner store. The owners of these shops were encouraged to relocate in the community. Those that did received a discounted rent. The pilot development was a success and soon other commercial areas were opened for business.
The real property that was purchased, nothing more than a few brownfields and dust areas, was planted with fresh sod and a dozen treelings. One area was selected as a community pride garden with flowerbeds, a variety of plants and bushes - seasonals and perennials. At the entrance into the community was a common area with a park bench and a metal brick red structure shaped into the Adinkra symbol of Fawohodie that had bright yellow ribbons tied around it. The unofficial name of the community was called "Independence Park." Eventually, the street through the main commercial area was emblazoned with bright yellow flags with red Adinkra symbols on them hanging from the light posts.
That was my dream. A New Black City. Do you like this dream? If so, what can we do to make it a reality?
The Bird (still Black - always and forever)
... please make yourself at home ... 