Project team 

Head: 98 Great Homes Model Block Club, Carl D. Wood  

Partners: Cudell Improvement, Inc., Iglesia de Jesuscristo Church, My Community My Commitment (MYCOM). Expertise provided by Ken Green, owner of Green Thumb Landscaping.

Project description and goals

The project’s intent is to turn a vacant lot into a local amenity, while simultaneously improving the environmental and human capital of the neighborhood.  Goals of sustainability will be accomplished via various green design of the parking lot, such as pervious paving; while the social benefit goals involve youth participating in the beautification process of the lot.

Existing conditions

The 3,000 sq. ft. vacant lot—at 9703 Laird Ave.—is formerly residential, yet its size makes it less ideal for redevelopment.  The lot is located next to a two-unit house owned by Mr. Carl Wood, and it is vegetated with grass and sporadic shrubs. The lot serves as an illegal place for both dumping and car parking, which makes it an eyesore for the neighborhood.

Proposed interventions 

The vacant lot will be graded for even surfacing by landscape contractors. Mr. Wood and his work crew will follow with the majority of the work, using a site plan created by landscape professionals. Specifically, pervious paving will be installed, as well as passive greenspace, brick walkways, and landscaped buffers, with the latter including: Globe Arbs, Holly, Wegelin, Red Twig Dogwood, Flowering Crab, and Arborvitae. Rain barrels will also be installed on-site. After the major landscaping, the local block club and youth from MYCOM will follow up with planting of flowers and seeding of grass. 

Site maintenance

A routine maintenance program will be scheduled, with tasks centering mainly on snow removal and green manicuring.  Task will be divided between Mr. Wood, the Block Club, and local youth volunteers. Watering will be accomplished through a rain barrel system.