the Neighborhood Design Center

Can’t make it to Bike the Sites this weekend? You can still roll in with your support! ?? ?? For a limited time, make a gift of $30 or more by Friday, November 22, and we’ll send you our exclusive high-visibility “Safe Streets Are Wheelie Cool” long-sleeve tee! Ready to make your donation, and earn a tee? ?? https://lnkd.in/exVRbJ95 Looking for extras? No problem! Email Nicole at [email protected] to order for friends and family. All tees ship by Wednesday, December 11!

We believe every artist deserves access to thoughtful, inclusive design and the vital resources to thrive. Through your generosity, we’re able to provide projects like: 1?? Youth Workshops 2?? Neighborhood Focus Groups 3?? Plant Plans 4?? Architectural Services These tools, from walk audits to creative planning, are essential sparks that help communities bring their visions to life. When you give, you ensure artists and communities can dream bigger—fundraising, preparing grants, and building vibrant spaces that reflect their aspirations. ?? And, don't forget, when you contribute $30 or more before Friday, we’ll send you one of our special Wheelie Cool Tees as a token of our gratitude. Donate today, your support makes all the difference: https://lnkd.in/eUeSJ28p

During Placemaking Europe Week in Rotterdam, Jennifer Goold, our Executive Director, explored a city that shares Baltimore's creative, resilient spirit. Some big takeaways from the conference to help strengthen our neighborhoods: 1?? ???????????????? ???????????? ?????? ?????????????????? Rotterdam’s quick-turnaround greening grants empower neighbors to take action—whether planting greenery, hosting events, or organizing cleanups. Imagine Baltimore City or Prince George's County adopting a similar model, supported by the Health Department as a wellness initiative! 2?? ?????????????????? ?????????????????? ???????????? The Keilepand in Rotterdam is a beautiful example of adaptive reuse—transforming industrial spaces into vibrant community hubs. What if we reimagined the old Lexington Market with this same creativity? 3?? ?? ???????????????????? ?????????????????????? Jen’s water tour of Rotterdam offered a unique view of its history and innovation. Iconic spaces like "The Red Apple" celebrate their roots with features like the last remaining orchard tree by the water. Imagine Baltimore’s waterfront connecting past and present through thoughtful design and historic preservation.?

Want to feel safer while biking ?????? show your support for NDC in style? For a limited-time only, you can get a long-sleeve high-visibility t-shirt when you donate $30 or more to NDC. Get yours by November 22: https://lnkd.in/exVRbJ95 Psst all donations will help us reach our fundraising goal this giving season.?

?????? ?????????????? ?? The Neighborhood Design Center is hiring a full-time Project Coordinator within the Architecture and Community Planning team. This role will coordinate architecture assignments across NDC and pro-bono design projects within Baltimore’s Community Design Works program. This is a great opportunity to work in partnership with Baltimore City, Prince George’s County, and community leaders throughout Maryland who are advocating for and implementing change in their neighborhoods! ?????????????????????? ????????????????: December 6, 2024 ?????????? ?????????? ????????: Mid-February 2025 ????????????????: Baltimore, MD ?? Interested? Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/eerNv8SC ????????, ???? ?????? ???????? ?????????????? ?????? ?????????? ???? ?? ???????? ??????, ???????? ???????? ???????? ????????!

The Pennsylvania Avenue Main Street Welcome Center project is complete! The newly renovated space will be a hub of connection in Baltimore's Black Arts & Entertainment District.) Led by Pennsylvania Avenue Main Street and the Upton Planning Committee, the project was born from a vision of revitalization. This building serves as a catalyst for broader transformation across Pennsylvania Avenue and the community.? Community Partners ?? ? Sherrill + Partners + Architects ? New Baltimore Contractors ? Kelly Little ? Pennsylvania Avenue Main Street ? Upton Planning Committee

True design isn’t about bringing a completed idea to a community; it’s about involving everyone—community members, local leaders, and neighbors—to build a space that meets their needs and improves their lives. Every project begins and ends with community voices. It’s our commitment to keep those who will use these spaces at the center of the design process while we nurture and sustain these spaces together. With your support and donations, we can create vibrant, lasting change, working hand-in-hand with the people who know their neighborhoods best. Help us keep community collaboration alive. Your donation ensures that everyone has a seat at the table, from the first design sketch to the final build. Please consider making a donation to help us create vibrant change in our communities. Every contribution makes a difference ?? https://lnkd.in/eUeSJ28p

Our team has been busy these past few months! Jenny Smeltzer headed to the Urban Tree Summit and experienced a day of learning from some of the country’s leading experts about innovative efforts to plant, protect, and preserve trees in urban and suburban settings. ???????? ?????? ???????? ???? ?????? ?????? ??????????????????: 1?? The Monetary Value of Trees: Dr. Asia Dowtin, PhD's presentation highlighted the significant monetary value trees provide, with over $33 million for stormwater mitigation in NYC alone! Quantifying these benefits helps municipalities justify tree conservation efforts and promote urban greening. 2?? Tree Conservation is Key: Dr. Eric Wiseman's talk on Fairfax County's canopy goals highlighted that preserving existing trees is more effective in maintaining canopy levels than planting smaller trees. 3?? Nursery Supply Chain Challenges: Nancy Sonti's research revealed the complexities of nursery supply chains in meeting the demand for trees, especially as trends in landscape design shift. While large trees may help meet immediate canopy goals, promoting tree diversity is crucial to long-term urban forest resilience. 4?? Listening to the Forest: A field session at Langdon Park Forest Patch showcased an inspiring community effort. Volunteers nurture native tree growth by removing invasive vines and protecting young trees. These takeaways reinforce the importance of strategic tree conservation, diversity in planting, and community-led efforts. ?? Photo Credit: Casey Trees

In FY24, the pro bono ASTA program (Art Space Technical Assistance Program) enhanced 37,027 square feet of art space! These 10 projects reimagined and repurposed existing buildings to create live-work studios, community galleries, and fabrication spaces. Nine projects focused on adaptive reuse—breathing new life into structures to create vibrant, functional spaces for artists, makers, and communities. Through the ASTA program, we transformed formerly residential rowhomes into inspiring artist studios and galleries! Your support and donation help support artist communities through programs like ASTA, which allow us to navigate the unique challenges of adaptive reuse, from building codes to design innovation. We're excited about the new projects Karla has on the horizon. Please support us in continuing to create art space in our communities by donating today. Every contribution fuels creativity, community, and sustainable design!

Planning a new property project? ?? ?????????? ?????? ?????????? ???? ???????? ?????? ?????????????? ??????????-?????????? ???????????????? ???????? ?????????? ?????????????????? ???????????? ???? ???????? ?????????????????? ???????? ?????? ?????????????????? ????????????????, Jennifer Goold! This online course and downloadable guide will give you a clear roadmap to success — whether you're revamping a facility or building from the ground up. Get started here: https://lnkd.in/euTCdJk8?