Site 1: Smith Group
CDS embraced online technology as COVID required us to transition our April Villard Avenue Charette online. Our client wanted to maintain the momentum of our spring focus groups as we realized a large group gathering was not possible in the foreseeable future. Using Zoom, IdeaFlip, and Survey Monkey we had a great dialogue and provided various ways for stakeholders, residents, and business owners to provide feedback.
CDS staff revisited various strategic action plan recommendations, researched neighborhood demographics and history, examined business diversity, and conducted focus groups to gather input from various stakeholders. The day long charette, included five local architectural firms: SmithGroup, Galbraith Carnahan, Dan Beyer Architects, Engberg Anderson, and Quorum. The teams generated ideas for the various sites based on stakeholder input, including: Streetscaping, Villard Theater, a food hall, a pet store, and cafe seating.