The Community Partnership Project Seminar Series links research and practice and promotes the sharing of information and ideas on issues that impact the St. Louis region. These seminars are sponsored by the Community Partnership Project at UMSL, working in cooperation with University of Missouri Extension.
Upcoming Event | Previous Sessions
Upcoming Event
Learning from the Field: Lessons in Neighborhood Housing Redevelopment
When: TBD
Where: UMSL at Grand Center, Community Room, 3651 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63108*
As local housing markets slowly lurch back to normality, community leaders are looking for strategies that have been successful in stabalizing and redeveloping neighborhoods. What are the key roles that political and public officials and private investors play in the process? How can strategies incorporate local market conditions and the vision of neighborhood actors and officials? Join us for this panel discussion exploring efforts in Benton Park and the West End, and lessons for future revitalization efforts.
Panelists:
- Lana Stein, Professor Emeritus, Political Science, University of Missouri–St. Louis
- Will Winter, Research Associate, Public Policy Research Center, University of Missouri–St. Louis
- JoAnn Vatcha, former housing analyst, City of St. Louis
- Martin Jaffe, President, M. Jaffe Group
- Kenneth Ortmann, Alderman, Ward 9, City of St. Louis
*Visitors to UMSL at Grand Center may park in metered spots along Olive Street or in the Scottish Rite parking garage on Olive for an hourly fee.
Previous Sessions
November 28, 2012: State of Neighborhoods–Challenges and Opportunities | View Presentation
This panel discussion explored the state of neighborhoods and community development in St. Louis City and St. Louis County. Questions discuessed included: What neighborhoods have retained or increased their value and what neighborhoods have declined? What regional trends support the renewal of urban neighborhoods and what trends undermine revitalization? What can local activists and community developers do in the face of these larger trends?
Panelists: Todd Swanstrom, Des Lee Professor of Community Collaboration and Public Policy Administration, UMSL; Jessica Eiland, Associate Director, Skinker DeBaliviere Community Council; Reginald Scott, Executive Director, Lemay Housing Partnership; Sean Thomas, Executive Director, Old North St. Louis Restoration Group
The St. Louis Beacon was on hand to cover the event. Click here to read their story.
May 1, 2012: What's Really Growing in Community Gardens?
Community gardening organizations and health advocates have lauded community gardens as a means to increase access to fresh fruits and vegetables in urban food deserts. A review of the literature about community gardens reveals that there are links between health and community gardening, but they may not be what you think. Plus, what else is growing in community gardens across the country and around the globe? Evidence shows that the benefits of community gardening extend far beyond nutrition, including creating connections among neighbors and increasing tolerance for diverse cultures.
November 15, 2011: If the City Reentering the County is the Solution, What's the Problem?
In the 135 years since St. Louis separated from St. Louis County, there have been several conversations about a possible reunification, most recently highlighted in media headlines and political campaigns. Are the citizens and our government leaders ready to explore this possibility? In the recently published policy brief, "Reconciling the Great Divorce: The City of St. Louis Reentering St. Louis County," Dr. Terry Jones examines issues related to the City reentering the County as its 92nd municipality and explores key issues and the "devils lurking in the details."- Should the City of St. Louis reenter St. Louis County 135 years after the "Great Divorce of 1876"?
- What is the process, what issues would need to be resolved, what might be the consequences, and what alternatives are there for closer City-County cooperation?
October 25, 2011: Creating Whole Communities–Understanding the State of Community Development Nonprofits in St. Louis | View Presentation
With many urban and inner suburban neighborhoods still in decline, St. Louis needs to increase its capacity for strategic community development. Strategic community development requires a system that coordinates housing with economic development, education, transportation, parks and other functions – ideally under the leadership of a community development corporation (CDC). Todd Swanstrom and Karl Guenther will present the findings of their survey of 34 CDCs in the region, with panel responses from both a national and local perspective. Explore questions including: Are St. Louis area community development corporations focused on strategic community development? Do CDCs have the organizational capacity to make a difference in St. Louis neighborhoods? How should governments, foundations and banks contribute to developing a more supportive environment for community development?
Panelists: Todd Swanstrom, Des Lee Professor of Community Collaboration and Public Policy Administration, UMSL; Karl Guenther, Community Development Specialist, UMSL; Paul Brophy, Principal, Brophy & Reilly, LLC; Justine Craig-Meyer, Executive Director, Lemay Housing Partnership; Kimberly McKinney, Chief Executive Officer, Habitat for Humanity St. Louis
