The Pratt Institute students researched many facets of Manhattan Valley, conducted surveys, and had in-depth interviews with local individuals, small businesses, and community organizations. The students synthesized and analyzed this wealth of information. These results became the basis for reports on issue areas, including Public Safety and Security, Public Gathering Spaces, Housing Options, Commercial Development, and Social Services and Facilities. The reports gave a broad overview of the neighborhood as well as more detailed facts about particular areas of interest. They also included a range of preliminary suggestions on how to best deal with areas in need of improvement. Copies of these reports can be found at the Bloomingdale Branch Public Library, the Columbus-Amsterdam BID, and Assembly Member O’Donnell’s office.

Los estudiantes del Instituto Pratt investigaron muchas características de Manhattan Valley, realizaron encuestas, y entrevistas abarcadoras con personas individuales, pequeños negocios y organizaciones locales de la comunidad. Los estudiantes sintetizaron y analizaron la información. Estos resultados se convirtieron en la base de los reportes sobre los asuntos importantes, incluyendo Seguridad Pública y Protección, Espacios Públicos de Esparcimiento, Opciones de Vivienda, Desarrollo Comercial, y Servicios Sociales y Facilidades. Los mismos ofrecieron una perspectiva general de la comunidad, así como información más detallada en áreas de particular interés. También incluyeron sugerencias preliminares sobre cómo manejar las áreas que necesitan mejoras. Copias de estos reportes están disponibles en la Biblioteca Pública de Bloomingdale, en el Columbus/Amsterdam BID y en la oficina del asambleísta O’Donnell.

Since the issuance of the preliminary reports, the community visioning process has only gained momentum. In early spring, the Assembly Member co-sponsored a very successful forum with the Columbus/Amsterdam BID, Pratt Institute, and Municipal Art Society entitled “The Future of Manhattan Valley: A Visioning Event.” Attending the event was a diverse group of almost 140 community members, including representatives of small businesses, not-for-profit organizations, block and tenant associations, and individual community activists. Attendees discussed the strengths of Manhattan Valley today, as well as areas which they think need improvement. These local residents also articulated many goals for the future of Manhattan Valley and their own ideas for solutions. Assembly Member O’Donnell was very pleased with the high level of community engagement and the quality of proposed ideas.

Desde que se publicaron los reportes preliminares, el proceso visionario de la comunidad sólo ha ganado impulso. A principios de la primavera, el Asambleísta co-auspició un foro muy exitoso con el Columbus/Amsterdam BID, el Instituto Pratt, y la Sociedad Municipal de Artes titulado, “El futuro de Manhattan Valley: Un evento visionario”. Al evento asistió un grupo diverso de casi 140 miembros de la comunidad, incluyendo representantes de pequeños negocios, organizaciones sin fines de lucro, asociaciones de inquilinos y comunitarias, y activistas de la comunidad. Los asistentes discutieron las fortalezas actuales de Manhattan Valley y las áreas que consideran necesitan ser mejoradas. Estos residentes locales también expresaron muchos planes para el futuro de Manhattan Valley y sus propias soluciones. El asambleísta O’Donnell se sintió muy complacido con la gran participación de la comunidad y la calidad de las ideas propuestas.

Following the Visioning Forum, the Pratt students built on all the community input and on the preliminary Pratt Institute reports to put together their final report and recommendations. In early summer at a final visioning process event, the students summarized the results of the forum and outlined recommendations to improve the local quality of life. Participants were also linked to trainings on neighborhood-based decision making and activism, and a number of Manhattan Valley residents later attended these trainings.

Después del Foro Visionario, los estudiantes de Pratt usaron las aportaciones de la comunidad y los reportes preliminares del Instituto Pratt en su reporte final y recomendaciones. A principios del verano, en un evento final del proceso visionario, los estudiantes resumieron los resultados del foro y detallaron sus recomendaciones para mejorar la calidad de vida de la comunidad. Los participantes también recibieron entrenamiento sobre el proceso de la toma de decisiones en asuntos de la comunidad y activismo, y un número de residentes de Manhattan Valley luego asistieron a estos talleres.

Desire and need to maximize open and green space in the neighborhood was one of the most popular themes of the process. Having more available, accessible, and pleasant open community spaces in Manhattan Valley will help contribute to increased communication between neighbors and to the sense of community.

While Morningside, Riverside, and Central Parks surround Manhattan Valley, there is a general lack of green open space in the neighborhood. When spending time outdoors, neighborhood residents often congregate on building stoops or on the sidewalks. The open space that is available in the neighborhood is often dedicated to youth or sports activities.

The Pratt students made specific recommendations to enhance and increase open and green space in Manhattan Valley. To expand gathering places for Manhattan Valley residents, Pratt students recommended the creation of a pedestrian plaza in the neighborhood. They also identified possible art programs to beautify Manhattan Valley’s streets, either by funding temporary art installations in partnership with community organizations or by bringing in art from elsewhere. To make the neighborhood a greener place to live, the students recommended taking advantage of a tree giveaways program. A final open space recommendation was the replacement of old trash cans in strategic, frequently-used locations with small solar-powered trash compactors, which would hold much larger amounts of garbage than a traditional can, and help keep the streets cleaner by reducing trash overflow.

Community members enjoying a Manhattan Valley street fair with some dancing Photo Credit: Sara Kaplan

Miembros de la comunidad disfrutan de una feria celebrada en las calles de Manhattan Valley.

Given the large and fast-growing number of seniors living in Manhattan Valley, making sure services for seniors are maximized is very important, especially in these difficult economic times.

One Pratt recommendation was to increase coordination between senior centers and groups through informal and formal networks. This allows for individuals who normally only participate at one senior center to take advantage of activities at others, and also reduces overlap and waste, potentially allowing for new programs to be created or existing ones strengthened. Additionally, a senior service pamphlet could be created to spread information, similar to the Columbus/Amsterdam BID’s widely-circulated events list.

Another recommendation geared toward increasing aid for seniors who need help and encouraging senior social interaction was to establish volunteer community groups. These organizations can be made up of local residents and can provide a variety of different services, including senior-focused information, chances for social interaction at events and activities, or help with daily living tasks. Two successful nearby examples are the non-profit organizations “Morningside Village” in Morningside Heights and “Bloomingdale Aging in Place” on 102nd, 103rd, and 104th Streets between Riverside Drive and Broadway.

A goal expressed throughout the visioning process was increased youth empowerment, especially during young residents’ vulnerable teenage years. The Pratt students suggested a number of programs to work toward this goal.

One recommendation was to encourage youth to volunteer in the community, such as in a program where teens help young children learn to read. Young volunteers could also be linked to senior organizations to learn skills in geriatric care, receive valuable mentorship and guidance, and create an extended sense of community.

The Pratt students also recommended that local youth organizations increase formal communication and create a publication that details services they provide or gives details for upcoming “youth events.” This would spread information about opportunities for education, services, recreation, and socializing to a wider youth population.

Finally, the lack of jobs for youth in the area was a concern throughout the visioning process. One recommendation that emerged from the visioning event was a “We Hire Local” sticker program. Businesses that hire area youth can display a sticker advertising this fact, and local consumers may be more likely to patronize these businesses: both the community-minded businesses and the local youth benefit.