Neighborhood Futures: Rebuilding Our Aging Neighborhoods for Fun & Profit

Neighborhood Future Roundtable #1

First meeting of the Neighborhood Redevelopment Task Force We invite your comments & participation. please comment below! AI generated Notes - Full Transcript Available Above titles * Revitalizing Suburbia: A Community Call to Action * Building Resilient Neighborhoods from the Ground Up Sound Bites * "Our neighborhoods are falling down around us." * "We have to learn to govern ourselves again." * "We need to plant seeds in lots of places." summary In this episode of Neighborhood Futures, hosts Miles Fidelman, Jerry Mechling, and James Morris-King discuss the pressing issues facing suburban neighborhoods, including crumbling infrastructure and the need for community engagement. They explore innovative solutions for neighborhood redevelopment, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and consensus building among residents. The conversation highlights the significance of small initiatives and grassroots efforts in addressing larger systemic problems, while also considering the role of technology and design in fostering community resilience. The episode concludes with a call to action for listeners to engage in their local communities and contribute to meaningful change. takeaways * Our neighborhoods are falling down around us due to crumbling infrastructure. * Community solutions must be built from the ground up, involving neighbors. * Collaboration is essential for effective neighborhood redevelopment. * Engaging residents in the planning process is crucial for success. * Small initiatives can lead to significant changes in community dynamics. * Understanding neighborhood dynamics is key to addressing local issues. * Infrastructure challenges require innovative and sustainable solutions. * Consensus building is vital for effective community organizing. * Design competitions can inspire creative solutions for neighborhood problems. * We need to cultivate a sense of ownership among community members. Chapters 00:00Community Development and Organizing 00:21Challenges in Suburban Infrastructure 07:29Collaborative Solutions for Urban Redevelopment 12:29The Role of Data and Analysis in Decision Making 21:00Recognizing Community Challenges and Leadership Commitment 21:57The Importance of Engaging Community Leaders 24:26Experiences in Community Development and Military Planning 26:44Understanding Community Infrastructure Dimensions 30:27The Interplay of Physical, Social, and Information Infrastructure 32:28Building Community Through Engagement and Participation 36:26Historical Context of Community Organization 41:39The Role of Cooperatives in Community Governance 43:21Consensus Building as a Foundation for Community Action 48:22Strategies for Engaging Community Members 55:42Selecting Problems for Community Development 58:08Examples of Successful Community Initiatives 01:05:23Community Engagement Through Festivals and Events 01:06:52The Role of Leadership in Collaborative Innovation 01:08:51Identifying Common Problems and Solutions 01:10:47Mobilizing Communities for Action 01:13:45Designing Proposals for Community Development 01:16:01Crisis as a Catalyst for Change 01:17:55Finding Problem Solvers in Society 01:20:16Dimensions of Community Challenges 01:27:10The Importance of Small Initiatives 01:31:26Design Principles in Community Projects 01:38:58Next Steps for Community Organizing Get full access to This Old Neighborhood: It's Time to Fix Suburbia at thisoldneighborhood.substack.com/subscribe [https://thisoldneighborhood.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

How Do We Redevelop Our Aging Neighborhoods & How Do We PAY For It?

On October 8, #DoSomethingDay, ThisOldNeighborhood.Net & FoundersForKamala held a Town Hall Meeting for Condominium Owners of America, asking the question: How Do We Redevelop Our Aging Neighborhoods & How Do We PAY For It? This was the first, organizational meeting, for a series of Town Meetings, organized by ThisOldNeighborhood.Net [http://ThisOldNeighborhood.Net] http://ThisOldNeighborhood.Netand Civic.Net. Our goal is to organize a Civic Internet, a network of Civic Forums, and a Neighborhood Engineering Task Force focused on Redeveloping the Buildings, Grounds, Facilities, and Utility Infrastructure of America’s aging condominium complexes (modeled after the Internet Engineering Task Force that brought us the Internet). We are currently performing a Research Program to develop Case Studies, Acquisition Models, and a Crowdsourcing Program for use by Condo Owners, their Boards, and their Management Companies; a Community of Practice to support volunteer condominium boards; an industrial Ecosystem to provide architectural, engineering, and construction services; financing programs to pay for redevelopment; and a Policy Program to influence government policies and programs to better support condominium communities. We launch on the eve of our Nation’s 250th Birthday, from the Village of Nagog Woods, the oldest condominium complex in Massachusetts, located in Acton, where our Town Meeting gave birth to the first Minuteman Company to cross the North Bridge and turn back the British at the Battle of Lexington & Concord. We now turn our attention to planning a way forward for America’s Neighborhoods, for ANOTHER 250 years of Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness, for Ourselves and Our Posterity. At our Organizing Meeting, we heard from: * Miles Fidelman, Editor-Publisher of ThisOldNeighborhood.Net; Systems Engineer & Developer; Owner, Association Board Member, and Treasurer at Nagog Woods; and Member of Our Long-Range Capital Planning Committee (speaking for himself). * Jim Snyder-Grant, Selectman, Town of Acton * Jerry Mechling, Analyst and Consultant on public and private sector digital innovation; retired from Harvard University; Gartner Group; Former Director, Office of Management & Budget, City of Boston. * Marcus Lewis, Board Member, Nagog Woods Community Corporation; Owner, Marcus Lewis Tennis Center (located at Nagog Woods). We Asked the Questions: * How We Reinvest in & Redevelop our aging neighborhoods, without breaking the bank? * How we do it in the context of changing weather patterns, and new building codes requiring fossil fuel free redevelopment? * How do we Buy Local, Build Local, and Invest Local to strengthen our local economies? * How do we access the Municipal Planning, Engineering, Financing, and Purchasing services that our taxes pay for, but that stop at the boundaries of neighborhoods managed by Condominium & Homeowners Associations?  * How do we benefit from an emerging political focus on Housing & Small Business Development? And then we threw the floor open for input from participating condominium owners and community organizers - ending with a plan to proceed with defining a Research Agenda, and a Plan for Building a Network of Working Groups in Condominium Complexes across Massachusetts, and America. We provide the full recording, along with an AI generated transcript, and the following (edited) AI generated meeting summary. We will be following this meeting with several working group meetings to develop a Research Agenda for Developing the Practice of Master Planning & Program Management for Redeveloping Condominium Complexes. Attendance at future Town Meetings is open to all - subscribe to receive meeting announcements, and working group progress reports. But like everybody else - we have to ask for money to support our work. Join as a paid Member of Town Meeting to participate fully. Join as a Founding Member to participate in developing the Rules of Order, and to Host a Working Group for YOUR Condominium Complex. Meeting Summary: Town Meeting for Condo Owners of America, 10/8/24 How Do We Redevelop Our Aging Neighborhoods & How Do We PAY For It? Policy Program for Condominium Law Reform Miles discussed the need for to reform condominium laws, focusing on master planning, technical support, and financial instruments tailored to condominiums. He emphasized the importance of addressing issues before they become too complex and costly, and the need for a structured approach to redevelopment projects. Revitalizing Aging Housing Stock and Local Economies Miles shared his background in engineering large projects and helping businesses start, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in neighborhood redevelopment. Miles also highlighted the challenges faced by Nagog Woods - shared by many condominium complexes - resulting from organizational models & perverse economic incentives that lead to deferred maintenance - that is now catching up with a generation of condominium complexes built in the post WWII era. He noted the additional pressures imposed by new building codes that address changing climate, extreme weather, and shifting away from fossil fuels. He noted the need for planning, engineering, and financing resources to address these issues, typically available to cities and towns, but not to condominium communities within them. Condominium Challenges and Climate Change Solutions - The Town View Jim discussed the challenges faced by condominium owners in Acton, Massachusetts, particularly in relation to climate change and building renovations. He highlighted the need for major renovations due to the age of the buildings and the Global Warming Solutions Act, which requires net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Jim also explained the Mass Save system and the $10,000 whole house rebate for electrification, which now applies to condo units structured as townhouses. The Big Picture Jerry discussed the challenges of redeveloping large buildings and the potential for major investments in cities due to climate change and a new administration in Washington. He emphasized the need for a combination of top-down pressure and bottom-up learning curve developments to drive cost-effective solutions. Miles agreed with Jerry's observations, noting that the economics of redevelopment now work, but the problem lies in the acquisitions model and financing package. Owner & Community Perspective Marcus discussed the state of the world from his perspective as an absentee owner, board member, and franchise operator at Nagog Woods, as well as as a resident of another condominium complex in the area. Participants Evo & Linda provided their perspectives as owners in other areas, as media providers, and as community organizers. Other Perspectives Chuck provided some input from the perspective of implementing alternative energy solutions as a homeowner. John offered some observations as an attorney specializing in reviewing condominium agreements for purchasers. Discussing of Media & Audience Development Discussion turned to the notion of recruiting a network of hyper-local bloggers, podcasters, and other media - as a platform for organizing town meetings & working groups in other condo complexes - as part of a larger organizing effort. Evo discussed podcasters, Linda shared her experience with facilitating Dialogue & Deliberation programs. Samantha discussed her background in environmental policy & real estate, and her involvement with organizing efforts through Founders-for-Kamala. Agenda & Next Steps Miles, Chuck, John, and Marcus discussed the challenges faced by condo associations in managing their energy needs and infrastructure. Chuck emphasized the need for community-level energy management and suggested exploring ways to address technical and planning challenges. John shared his experiences with similar problems in his practice and community, suggesting that a network of condo associations could help solve these issues. Miles proposed conducting a policy study to identify potential changes that could be advocated for in Washington and suggested brainstorming sessions with Jerry and Chuck to develop a proposal for such a study. Linda agreed to conduct some research and suggested a follow-up meeting to discuss the potential for a media and educational program. The conversation ended with the intention to start inviting political candidates to forums in the near future. Next steps • Miles, Jerry, and Chuck to caucus and develop a proposal for a policy study on condo redevelopment and financing. Miles to draft a memorandum outlining a long-range plan for condo redevelopment initiatives as a basis for discussion. • Miles to follow up with Linda and Evo about creating a media and educational program to build an audience and base for condo owners, starting with local watch parties for future meetings. • Miles to organize a series of meetings with political representatives and government staff to discuss condo owners' needs. Attendance at future Town Meetings is open to all - subscribe to receive meeting announcements, and working group progress reports. But like everybody else - we have to ask for money to support our work. Join as a paid Member of Town Meeting to participate fully. Join as a Founding Member to participate in developing the Rules of Order, and to Host a Working Group for YOUR Condominium Complex. Get full access to This Old Neighborhood: It's Time to Fix Suburbia at thisoldneighborhood.substack.com/subscribe [https://thisoldneighborhood.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

The State of Condominia

AI Summary & Transcript from Today’s Discussion SummaryIn this conversation, Miles Fidelman, Greer Swiston, and John McNulty discuss the challenges and considerations of buying and living in condominiums. They highlight the need for redeveloping aging suburban neighborhoods and the importance of long-term planning and reinvestment. The conversation emphasizes the importance of educating buyers about the responsibilities and potential issues of condo ownership. They also discuss the role of condo boards, the significance of condo fees, and the need for thorough due diligence when reviewing condo documents. The conversation touches on topics such as special assessments, rules and regulations, and the impact of condo fees on property values. The conversation in this part focuses on the challenges of getting people to engage and participate in community decision-making processes. It explores the difficulties of getting condo owners to attend meetings and vote on important issues. The conversation also touches on the need for government intervention and the role of public officials in facilitating community engagement. The speakers discuss the importance of lowering the barrier to entry and making it easier for people to get involved. They suggest using polling and offering bite-sized choices to entice participation. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the potential of events and activities to bring people together and channel their energy towards community improvement. The conversation explores the challenges of bringing people together in a community and the importance of finding the right approach to engage different individuals. It emphasizes the need for diverse mediums and activities to reach a broad audience. The discussion also touches on the role of social engineering in redesigning suburban infrastructure and the importance of step-by-step progress. The conversation concludes with a focus on the need for case studies and examples of successful community projects, as well as the potential for engaging young engineers and STEM education programs. Keywordscondominiums, suburban neighborhoods, redevelopment, long-term planning, reinvestment, condo ownership, condo boards, condo fees, due diligence, special assessments, rules and regulations, property values, community engagement, condo owners, government intervention, lowering the barrier to entry, public officials, community events, community engagement, diverse mediums, social engineering, step-by-step progress, case studies, successful projects, young engineers, STEM education Takeaways * The challenges of redeveloping aging suburban neighborhoods and the need for long-term planning and reinvestment * The importance of educating buyers about the responsibilities and potential issues of condo ownership * The role of condo boards and the significance of condo fees * The need for thorough due diligence when reviewing condo documents * The impact of special assessments, rules and regulations, and condo fees on property values Getting condo owners to engage and participate in community decision-making processes can be challenging. * Lowering the barrier to entry and making it easier for people to get involved can help increase participation. * Government intervention and support may be necessary to facilitate community engagement. * Events and activities can be effective in bringing people together and channeling their energy towards community improvement. Finding the right approach to engage individuals in a community is crucial. * Diverse mediums and activities are necessary to reach a broad audience. * Redesigning suburban infrastructure requires a combination of physical and social engineering. * Case studies and examples of successful community projects are valuable for learning and inspiration. * Engaging young engineers and STEM education programs can contribute to community development. Titles * The Role of Condo Boards and the Significance of Condo Fees * Rethinking and Rebuilding Suburbia: Models for Redeveloping Aging Suburban Neighborhoods Challenges of Engaging Condo Owners in Decision-Making * Lowering the Barrier to Entry for Community Engagement Empowering Young Engineers: The Role of STEM Education * Engaging Individuals in Community: Finding the Right Approach Sound Bites * "We need to start thinking big" * "We need to start working together" * "The importance of educating buyers" * "If you really want to hear other people's feedback, you need to go to them and find out when is it convenient." * "We need to lower the barrier to entry. Make it easier for them to engage." * "What would grab your interest? There's no right answer." * "What gets people to get started to go and what keeps people coming." * "I'm having to actually just organize things and see what sticks." * "Your community is too broad when you can't get decent critical mass." Chapters 00:00Introduction and Setting the Stage 03:06Models for Redeveloping Aging Suburban Neighborhoods 06:01Challenges and Considerations of Condo Ownership 19:13Educating Buyers and Conducting Due Diligence 26:21The Role of Condo Boards and Condo Fees 34:58Navigating Special Assessments, Rules and Regulations, and Property Values 35:29Challenges of Engaging Condo Owners 39:37Lowering the Barrier to Entry for Engagement 49:28The Role of Government in Facilitating Participation 01:03:31The Power of Events and Activities 01:09:48Engaging Individuals in Community 01:13:14Redesigning Suburban Infrastructure 01:15:25Learning from Successful Community Projects 01:23:13Empowering Young Engineers Get full access to This Old Neighborhood: It's Time to Fix Suburbia at thisoldneighborhood.substack.com/subscribe [https://thisoldneighborhood.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

Nagog Futures

I just had a wonderful chat with Marcus Lewis - a fellow owner at Nagog Woods, also a Board Member, operator of our tennis facilities, and member of the informal working group we have coming together to take a big-picture, long-term look at the future of our aging condo complex. We were joined by a long term-resident of the condo, who has also served as a board member. So far… it seems like we’re on the right track - and our discussion pretty much jibed with my big-picture conversation with Jerry Mechling, last week. (Worth listening to if you haven’t already, and available on this site.) Subscribers Can Join in An Ongoing Discussion via Chat An AI summary of the netcast - courtesy of riverside.fm podcasting software, follows. I’m actually rather impressed by the results. SummaryThe conversation focuses on the challenges of updating and renovating aging infrastructure in suburban communities, specifically in a 50-year-old condominium complex. The need for community engagement, long-term planning, and investment in infrastructure is emphasized. The importance of thinking of renovation as an investment that can pay for itself is highlighted. The conversation also touches on the need for collaboration and sharing of ideas among condo associations facing similar challenges. The idea of organizing a steampunk festival to bring the community together and discuss common interests is proposed. The conversation revolves around the challenges and opportunities faced by condo associations in terms of infrastructure maintenance and improvement. The main themes include the impact of regulations on costs, the importance of assessments and debt, the need for collaboration and sharing of ideas among condo associations, the role of property management companies, the importance of long-term planning and investment, the need for better record-keeping, the potential for joint purchasing and partnerships with utilities, and the importance of owner involvement and engagement. Keywordsaging infrastructure, suburban communities, condominium complex, community engagement, long-term planning, investment, collaboration, sharing of ideas, steampunk festival, condo associations, infrastructure maintenance, regulations, costs, assessments, debt, collaboration, sharing ideas, property management companies, long-term planning, investment, record-keeping, joint purchasing, partnerships, utilities, owner involvement Takeaways * Updating and renovating aging infrastructure in suburban communities is a significant challenge. * Renovation should be seen as an investment that can pay for itself. * Community engagement and collaboration are crucial in the planning and decision-making process. * Sharing ideas and experiences with other condo associations facing similar challenges can lead to innovative solutions. * Organizing community events, such as a steampunk festival, can bring people together and foster a sense of community. Regulations can significantly impact the costs of infrastructure maintenance and improvement for condo associations. * Assessments and debt are both forms of financial obligations that condo associations may face. * Collaboration and sharing of ideas among condo associations can lead to innovative solutions and cost savings. * Property management companies play a role in managing day-to-day operations but may have short-term incentives. * Long-term planning and investment are crucial for the sustainability and financial health of condo associations. * Maintaining accurate and comprehensive records is important for future reference and decision-making. * Joint purchasing and partnerships with utilities can lead to cost savings and improved services. * Owner involvement and engagement are essential for effective governance and decision-making in condo associations. Titles * Renovation as an Investment: Thinking Long-Term * Collaboration and Idea Sharing Among Condo Associations The Importance of Record-Keeping in Condo Associations * Long-Term Planning and Investment for Condo Associations Sound Bites * "We need to think of renovation as an investment." * "Let's do something bigger." * "We need to pose the issues and get others to chime in." * "Our challenge is that we have our own well and the federal level of not allowable arsenic got lowered just enough that we had a completely, almost like the PFAS that towns are doing now. And it's pushed our costs way up." * "If you take out a loan, you've got debt. And that, in a sense, is the assessment." * "If you're updating a system and it saves you on your utility bills over time, then you finance it, then that's an investment and it has a positive return on investment." Chapters 00:00Introduction and Technical Difficulties 00:34New Chapter 2 02:29The Need for Community Engagement in Planning and Decision-Making 05:23Renovation as an Investment 07:49Exploring New Technology and Innovative Solutions 16:21The Importance of a Community Mindset in Condo Associations 22:33Crowdsourcing Ideas and Solutions from Other Condo Associations 40:43The Importance of Assessments and Investments 45:46Collaboration Among Condo Associations 49:14New Chapter 53:32The Role of Property Management Companies 57:34Long-Term Planning and Maintenance 01:04:54The Need for Better Record-Keeping 01:20:54Untitled video.mp4 Subscribers Can Join in An Ongoing Discussion via Chat Get full access to This Old Neighborhood: It's Time to Fix Suburbia at thisoldneighborhood.substack.com/subscribe [https://thisoldneighborhood.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]

A Conversation With Jerry Mechling (Recording, Transcript, Ongoing Chat)

On July 1, I talked with Jerry Mechling about How we Pay to Renovate Suburbia. Jerry worked for John Lindsay in NY, Served as Kevin White’s Budget Director in Boston, then went on to the Kennedy School & the Gartner Group. We had a far reaching conversation on the challenges facing America’s suburban communities, and approaches to addressing them. Here is a recording of the session, along with a transcript, and some (surprisingly good) AI-generated high points:Miles Fidelman and Jerry Mechling discuss the challenges of renovating and updating infrastructure in suburban communities. They highlight the need for collaboration, long-term planning, and investment in sustainable technologies. They emphasize the importance of spreading awareness about available solutions and creating a mindset shift towards viewing infrastructure updates as investments rather than costs. They draw parallels to the success of the internet and advocate for a similar model of collective action and experimentation in addressing infrastructure challenges. They also stress the need for equity and trust in decision-making processes and the importance of community engagement. Takeaways * Renovating and updating infrastructure in suburban communities requires collaboration and long-term planning. * Infrastructure updates should be viewed as investments in sustainable technologies rather than costs. * Spreading awareness about available solutions and creating a mindset shift is crucial. * A model of collective action and experimentation, similar to the success of the internet, can be effective in addressing infrastructure challenges. * Equity and trust are important in decision-making processes, and community engagement is essential. Titles * Engaging Communities in Infrastructure Updates * Promoting Equity and Trust in Infrastructure Decision-Making Sound Bites * "This is basic capitalism." * "We really have learned about how to go about this when we start thinking about how do we do any sort of collective action?" * "The magic of the marketplace has failed us and government is gridlocked and politics has become a circus." Chapters 00:00 The Scale and Scope of the Problem 17:12 Volunteers and Experimentation 23:58 Leveraging the Success of the Internet Model 31:57 Spreading Awareness and Engaging the Financial Community Have a question for Jerry or Miles? Want to continue the discussion? Are there topics you want us to dig into further? Join us as a paid subscriber. Get full access to This Old Neighborhood: It's Time to Fix Suburbia at thisoldneighborhood.substack.com/subscribe [https://thisoldneighborhood.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4]