Algiers Village Living Communities Challenge Vision Plan

To reiterate, there are three general directions that can be taken by the community leaders in this project. They may
choose to:
1. Abandon the collaborative work in Algiers altogether. Of course, the nonprofits would likely continue to operate
under the work programs of their respective organizations, but not within the LCC framework and not with the
specific collaborative intentions of this Vision Plan.
2. Pursue adoption of the proposed concepts while using this document as aspirational guidance. While the ideas
in this Vision Plan are appreciated, there is no strict adherence to the LCC Imperatives or to the Vision Plan
proposals. Community development is therefore allowed to be organic and responsive to the future conditions of
the Village, but inspired by LCC objectives.
3. Pursue adoption or implementation of the proposed concepts, but with the intention of near-term LCC
Registration and eventually working towards LCC Certification. This would require rigorous adherence to the
Imperatives and other LCC criteria, and would greatly increase the public awareness of this work. With this
increased public awareness may come increased external funding, and other activities which could result in an
improved economy and reduced taxes for residents.
Again, it is worth reiterating that there are no associated development commitments that come as a result of this Vision
Plan. This document serves as a launch-pad to explore new ideas and possibilities in Algiers, and to continue discussions
about what this beloved community center could be. On behalf of the larger community, the four nonprofits offer this
Vision Plan as a framework for understanding the existing realities within Algiers, the unique needs of the community, and
a set of potential solutions.
Much more work would be needed to begin any installation or construction of ideas proposed in this Plan. This
document is the very first step in a potentially long process of community visioning and planning, which may in time lead
to entirely different solutions than are outlined in this document.
Current Initiatives and Future Projects
The four nonprofits are already pursuing or actively managing their own projects that may meet the LCC Imperatives,
or other criteria that would move them towards LCC Certification. These mission-driven projects were adopted by the
organizations due to their commitment to their shared goals in the community (see page 11), rather than to any future
desire to pursue LCC Certification.
If the community partners were to pursue LCC Certification, these projects would provide a platform through which
the organizations would continue to adopt changes that would meet the LCC Imperatives. If they do not pursue LCC
Certification, then these projects would be an example of how the nonprofits can use this document and the LCC
Imperatives as guidance or inspiration as they move forward with unconstrained mission-driven work that is appropriate
for Algiers Village.
Friends of Algiers Village, Inc.:
FOAVI will focus next on ensuring that the public space outside the building is functional, safely accessible, and “green.”
Consideration is being given to the LCC Imperatives even in the preliminary design phase of this forthcoming project.
Having fully completed the interior renovations and fit out of the Broad Brook House, the Friends of Algiers is actively
pursuing the remediation and improvements to the Friends of Algiers Village property. FOAVI has contracted the services
of a landscape planner to develop a site plan that includes: renovations, paving and parking area demarcation for public
and business staff usage; regrading of existing surfaces to improve storm water runoff; redesign of property access from
Route 5 to include green buffer “islands”; designation of a bike lane along the entirety of the FOAVI /Route 5 boundary
which could also serve as a safe zone for pedestrians; pervious pavers; integration of the regrading and storm water
runoff to better protect and preserve existing wetlands; establishment of green spaces at the Store front (for customers
and tenants of the Broad Brook House) and dedicated trail access to the north field and other existing and planned trails