President's Report - Johnson C. Smith University

President’s Report 2010-2011Engaging with the Community10The University broke ground May 15, 2011 on MosaicVillage, part of an exciting new venture to revitalize theNorthwest Corridor, spanning from Center City to theUniversity gates. The project is the brainchild of theBeatties Ford Road Task Force, a University-led groupof businesses, developers, residents and city authoritieswho are charting a course for revitalizing the West End.The $16 million 124,000-square-foot mixed-usefacility under construction at 1601 West Trade Streetfeatures 80 apartment-style suites on four floors andwill accommodate 300 students. Each unit will beequipped with a washer/dryer, kitchen and den. Everyfloor will have a common area and inner courtyard.Inspired by the area’s rich history and unmatchedresilience, JCSU’s Mosaic Village has carefully beensculpted by the cultural influence of jazz music, seenand heard at the nearby historic Excelsior Club. Therhythmic progression of the building pulls from thejazz aesthetic and its improvisational, yet structured,nature. A study of how the layers of music can informand compose the layers of architecture produces anarray of breaks, riffs, vamps, bridges and improvs inphysical form. Following these rules from the realm ofjazz, the public and physical realm of Mosaic Villagebecomes an architectural composition that respects itshistory, while chartering a new path for the HistoricWest End community.A project like Mosaic Village is designed to attract newbusinesses that will benefit from residents living inhigh-density housing. For added convenience, plansinclude a 400-car parking deck, 6,500-square-feet ofretail space and a 4,000-square-foot green roof. Thefacility’s design by Neighboring Concepts reflects avibrant mosaic of color and a modern style that fitsthe University’s urban landscape. Scheduled to openin fall 2012, it is under construction by Balfour BeattyConstruction and Shelco Inc.Linking the Mosaic Village to the main campus andUptown Charlotte is the Gold Rush, a free shuttlebus that began service in February 2011. Ridershipis already picking up speed, up 30 percent, as morestudents, faculty and staff enjoy the free ride to andfrom campus.Mosaic Village is a public-private partnership betweenJCSU, the Griffin family of Griffin Brothers Tires,Wheels and Automotive and the city of Charlotte. It isa concrete example of positive change taking place oncampus and in the surrounding community. MosaicVillage has been designed as a sustainable facility thatpromotes diversity, mobility, identity, history andvitality.We are grateful to our many community partners whoare helping West Trade Street experience a rebirth ofactivity and momentum. This project is one morestep toward fulfilling the University’s role as a privateinstitution with a public purpose.