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An Unusual Way to Rescue a City From Blight—Bees

J. Gabriel Ware

May 17, 2018 |

Yes! Magazine |

Text |

800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

Detroit Hives has a twofold mission of reducing urban blight and protecting bees. The nonprofit organization purchases low-cost vacant lots and transforms them into farms for bee hives. Its creative partnerships with local businesses have provided honey for restaurants and flowerbeds to the farm, all while making Detroit more beautiful.

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A phoenix rising from the asbestos

John Blodgett

May 17, 2018 |

The Western News |

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1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Libby, Montana

A town once plagued by a reputation of being an asbestos Superfund site as well as having been hit by the timber wars, Libby, Montana is back on the map. Lincoln County commissioner, Mark Peck of Libby, the county seat, decided to make it a priority to fix the negative connotation surrounding the town and partnered with a public relations firm to rebrand the city through the use of the community's unique story of rising from asbestos.

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Change on tap: Brewery reshapes the face of a Birmingham neighborhood

Brad Harper

May 11, 2018 |

The Montgomery Advertiser |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Birmingham, Alabama

A surprising anchor business in Birmingham helped bring growth to the city: Avondale Brewing Co. Since the brewery opened seven years ago, restaurants and bands have flocked to the city, and the population as well as home prices have increased. Montgomery just attracted its first brewery, and the city is looking to Birmingham as a model for the type of growth it hopes to see.

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How Detroiters Are Shaping a Post-Industrial Riverfront Park

Serena Maria Daniels

May 02, 2018 |

Next City |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

In an effort to brainstorm ideas to revitalize Detroit's West Riverfront Park, the city sent community members around the country to see what's working in other cities. After coming back with ideas, the community members worked with world-class architects to draw up plans for community improvement in the riverfront development.

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Capitalism for Good: Kensington Avenue Storefront Challenge

Roxanne Patel Shepelavy

April 10, 2018 |

The Philadelphia Citizen |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Shift Capital, a mission-driven real estate group in Philadelphia, tried a new tactic to bring business back to an old neighborhood. The Kensington Avenue Storefront Challenge asked businesses to apply for open storefront space as well as funding, and nine winners were selected based on financial viability and ability to impact the community. This form of development aims to fight gentrification in an inclusive way.

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How to bring a high street back from the dead

Kevin Rushby

March 29, 2018 |

The Guardian |

Multi-Media |

1500-3000 Words

Response Location: United Kingdom, York

Revive local high streets by creating informal spaces for people to linger. That’s the lesson from Bishopthorpe Road in York. Once barely hanging on, Bishy Road’s fortunes changed when shopkeepers decided to band together, close off the road, and host a street party. Thousands of people showed up. The shops have continued to build spaces for people to relax and hang out, and the high street is now voted one of Britain’s best.

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When They Couldn't Afford Internet Service, They Built Their Own

J. Gabriel Ware

March 26, 2018 |

Yes! Magazine |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Detroit, Michigan

Access to the internet is an important tool to addressing inequity at the scale of the community and the individual. Detriot’s Equitable Internet Initiative is a coalition of media, tech, and community-based organizations working to bridge the digital divide in underserved neighborhoods.

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Anacostia Rising: What's Next For D.C.'s 'Forgotten' River

Jacob Fenston Tyrone Turner

March 26, 2018 |

American University Radio (WAMU) |

Multi-Media |

Over 3000 Words

Response Location: United States, Washington, District of Columbia

The Anacostia, which has long been one of the most polluted rivers in the country, has been given a new lease on life, thanks to cleanup efforts and a recent sewer upgrade in D.C. Since water quality has improved, there's been renewed interest in waterfront recreation and development. Now local groups are working to mitigate displacement from gentrification, with some success.

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Land Conservancies Enter Unfamiliar Territory: the City

Jake Bullinger

March 21, 2018 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Seattle, Washington

Conservation groups and land trusts that typically serve rural areas have begun integrating their missions and services in urban communities to battle environmental inequity and blight. In cities like Cleveland and Seattle, these land trusts address racial and economic disparities in the fight to preserve land, making sure to orient their renewal efforts in a way that positively impacts minority communities.

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In a Historic Downtown, Disaster Becomes a Chance to Build Something Better

Adina Solomon

March 20, 2018 |

Bloomberg CityLab |

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800-1500 Words

Response Location: United States, Clarkesville, Georgia

After a fire destroyed much of downtown Clarkesville, the city invested millions of dollars in properties to restore. Local government leaders sought feedback from community members, and the result was a revitalized downtown, an improved version of the previous downtown. The redevelopment success can be a model for other cities.

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