AIA Alaska Seeks Member Participation in Community Development Project

{"version":"0.3.0","atoms":[],"cards":[],"markups":[["strong"],["a",["href","https:\/\/www.anchoragechamber.org\/roadmap-to-a-vital-and-safe-anchorage\/"]],["b"],["i"],["sup"],["a",["href","https:\/\/us02web.zoom.us\/j\/89285847229"]]],"sections":[[1,"p",[[0,[0],0,"In early 2022 the AIA Design Assistance Program (DAT) was contacted by Northern Compass Group LLC on behalf of the "],[0,[1],1,"Roadmap for a Vital and Safe Anchorage"],[0,[],1," (RVSA) about the possibility of a project focusing on the revitalization of downtown Anchorage. DAT is scheduled to bring a team to Anchorage May 2-4. The team is led by Wayne Feiden, FAICP, who is the Planning Director in Northampton, MA. DAT, RVSA\u2019s consultant Northern Compass Group and other local partners. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[2],1,"About the DAT Program"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The Design Assistance Team Program is a public service of the AIA. Through the DAT program, over 1,000 professionals from more than 30 disciplines have provided millions of dollars in professional pro bono services to more than 200 communities across the country, engaging tens of thousands of participants in citizen-driven community development processes. The ultimate goal of the DAT process is to provide communities with a framework for collective action. Each project team is constructed with the goal of bringing an objective perspective to the community that transcends the normal politics of community issues. Team members are deliberately selected from geographic regions outside of the host community, and national AIA teams are typically representative of a wide range of community settings. Team members all agree to serve pro bono, and do not engage in business development activity in association with their service. They do not serve a particular client. As one volunteer said, \u201cConsultants work for somebody. The design assistance team works for everybody.\u201d The team\u2019s role is to listen to the public, and to provide an independent analysis and unencumbered technical advice that serves the public interest"],[0,[2,3],2,". "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[2],1,"About the Anchorage DAT"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"AIA National was initially contacted by the Northern Compass Group in November of 2021 via a referral by the Mayor\u2019s Institute for City Design. An application expressing hope that the DAT process could help the Anchorage community create a vision for downtown while also building momentum to start moving that vision forward was submitted in January of 2022. Following a brief assessment visit in February, the application was accepted into the 2022 DAT program. The Anchorage DAT will specifically focus on the revitalization of the downtown district known as \u201cEast Avenues\u201d, which is seen as a potential innovation district and economic driver for the future of downtown. The DAT team will address issues pertaining to connectivity, economic sustainability, housing, and overall downtown vitality and health, among others."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[2],1,"About RVSA "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"The Roadmap to a Vital and Safe Anchorage was born out of a need to make Anchorage more resilient and sustainable. The COVID 19 pandemic called for rapid response to get Anchorage\u2019s economy going again. Businesses, non-profit organizations, and industry leaders grabbed hold of this call to action and began the process of developing a plan focused on implementation, execution, and clearly defined results. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Throughout February 2021, over 110 business, non-profit, and organization leaders gathered four times to develop the Vision, Barriers, Strategic Actions and begin focused Implementation for the Roadmap to a Vital and Safe Anchorage."]]],[1,"p",[[0,[2],1,"About Northern Compass"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Led by businessman and former U.S. Senator Mark Begich, Northern Compass is a full-service consulting firm that helps clients develop tailored, strategic plans to achieve sustainable solutions for even the most daunting business challenges. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[2],1,"AIA Alaska Members Engagement:"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"On May 2 the DAT team took a tour of downtown following with a workshop in the afternoon; various stakeholders will be joining at different points during the tour to offer input and details. On Monday evening, DAT hosted a virtual community engagement meeting attended by over 50 community members. "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Join us on July 26"],[0,[4],1,"th"],[0,[],0," from 3:30-5pm to virtually walk through the DAT Plan! "]]],[1,"p",[[0,[],0,"Join Zoom Meeting"]]],[1,"p",[[0,[5],1,"https:\/\/us02web.zoom.us\/j\/89285847229"]]]]}