Project team

Head: Fresh Start

Partners: Bethany Baptist Church, Masjid Bilal 

Project description and goals

Recent losses of neighborhood grocery stores have left the Hathaway neighborhood in Glenville devoid of fresh food options. The goal of this project, then, is to fill this void with the creation of a neighborhood market and garden. Besides food access, other goals include community regeneration through investment in both financial and human capital, as well providing for physical proof that if the community can heal a vacant plot than they the neighborhood at-large can be affected as well.

Existing conditions

The lot (parcel # 109-18-035) is centrally located within the 10700 block of Hathaway Ave. In short, the lot’s condition is not unlike the majority of vacant lots, with debris such as glass and plastic visible atop an unevenly manicured patch of grass.

Proposed interventions

Soil testing will be a priority, with metal abatement being reached through remediating plants, soil stabilization, the creation of raised beds (or via a mix of techniques). Where soil build-up is present, materials used will focus on the layering of compost, topsoil, wood mulch, and straw.  The primary crop will be vegetables that cater to the locals taste. This ensures not only the presence of fresh food, but also the feasibility of a working market garden. Small business, then, is a key component to the project, with any realized profits growing the capacity of the garden as a means to create greater food access. To realize this, the project manager will be working in concert with such experienced local ag organizations as City Fresh and the New Agrarian Center.

Site maintenance

Short-term maintenance will include weeding and debris removal, with the eventual garden build-up to follow. Long-term maintenance will focus on various gardening and harvesting aspects, as well as bookkeeping and food packaging tasks.  The project director will coordinate volunteer duties, with tasks and time allocation depending on the season.  A watering source has been provided by a club member that lives next to the lot. Longer-term, on-site water installation will be secured.