Michael Smith is a long-time Strong Towns member who joins this episode of The Bottom-Up Revolution podcast along with his colleague, architect Aaron Holverson. Together they work at Studio GWA, a planning and architecture firm based in Rockford. In this conversation, we discuss a historic revitalization project in a core neighborhood of Rockford, the challenges that come with a project like this, and also why the street and surrounding blocks matter to the success of a place like this. It’s a great lesson in what it takes to bring an old building back to life—certainly not a piece of cake—but also a lesson in what can happen when a community has a place to feel proud of.
Additional Show NotesStudio GWA website
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The Bottom-Up Revolution Is…Helping Incremental Developers Make Better Places Part 2
The Bottom-Up Revolution Is…a City Council Supporting Parking Reform
The Bottom-Up Revolution Is…Making a Difference With Local Government
The Bottom-Up Revolution Is…Helping Incremental Developers Make Better Places
The Bottom-Up Revolution Is…Fighting the Housing Crisis as an Incremental Developer Part 2
The Bottom-Up Revolution Is…Advocating for Better Transit and Safe Streets
The Bottom-Up Revolution Is…Fighting the Housing Crisis as an Incremental Developer Part 1
The Bottom-Up Revolution Is…Becoming a Member of Local Government
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Christian Gray: Alleviating Neighborhood Poverty at a Root Level
Sara Joy Proppe: Helping Churches Use Placemaking To Connect With the Community
Armando Moritz-Chapelliquen: A Grassroots Community Advocate
Maddy Novich: Not Your Typical Bike Activist!
Deatra Kemp: Helping First-Time Homebuyers Realize Their Dreams
Adam Greenfield and Miriam Schoenfield: Fighting Freeway Widening in Austin
Jessica Peacock: Fighting for a Family-Owned Grocery Store
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