T h e C i t i z e n ’ s V i s i o n
O V E R T O W N
R E D E V E L O P M E N T A R E A
D E S I G N C H A R R E T T E
HISTORY O F T H E OVERTOWN CITIZEN’S VISION
Many attempts have been made to revitalize Overtown. There have been
many studies and plans developed over the years. There have been many
promises made. It is fairly obivious that not much has changed in Overtown.
Most people agree that the area needs improvement. What has changed is
that this time the entire communi-
ty was asked to participate in and
create a Citizens Vision
for
Overtown.
In 1998, many concerned com-
munity leaders began the process
of developing the idea of working
together with property owners,
residents, and government to build
consenus on the future of develop-
ment in Overtown. This group
spent over a year organizing com-
munity support and fundraising
leading up to a week long design
“charrette”. A charrette is the
coming together of residents with
town planners and urban designers
in a series of community meetings
to develop a unified vision for the
growth and development of an
area.
During the week of July 16, 1999, a design charrette was conducted. The
charrette opened with a “Kick-off ” session held at the newly renovated Lyric
Theatre. The wet paint dried just in time to host this first unofficial open-
ing of the Theatre.
Everyone was invited to attend the charrette. Participants were asked things
like: what does your neighborhood need? Is it a park, a daycare facility, hous-
ing, better streets or a drugstore? If so, where should these go? What should
these things look like?
The event continued until July
23rd, 1999, at the historic Dorsey
House where the design team ren-
dered the Citizen’s Vision in
images, diagrams and words.
CITIZENS CHOOSE
THEIR FUTURE
During the charrette many local
participants expressed the need for
immediate action. They want to
raise their community’s ambition
to a higher level. This Citizen’s
Vision is a tool for an historic turn-
around, if City officials and
Citizens work toge