Successful neighborhood developers find the community can offer them political capital too, market intelligence, hidden information about the site, ingenuity and persistence. Sometimes, community groups have development expertise, access to new sources of capital or services to incorporate in the new use, like security, workforce preparation or maintenance. Sometimes developers bring an environmental commitment, an understanding of the architectural, economic and cultural history of the community and a design for incorporating them. If all parties seek compromise, sustainable developments with positive neighborhood and environmental impact can go forward. Effective design can help, but today, for all parties, design is more than architecture.
Neighborhoods are interested in use, market, operation and ultimate disposition.
Let s put the needs of all parties on the table and find common ground. Neighborhoods need certain design and impact goals met. Environmentalists want no new damage, restoration where possible. Those with non-negotiable demands will exclude themselves, as they should be. Look at the Beacon Hill redevelopment of PacMed.