Community Dreams Do Come True
Carthage Commons Project Takes Shape
After almost a year of community development collaboration, Karla Vargas and Maggie Jenkins recently sat down with Barbara Bell, Jessica Wolf, and Mary Broughton, integral members of the Carthage Civic League (CCL) and Carthage Commons Steering Committee. Over the past year, Carthage Civic League acquired two parcels of land situated at the intersection of Fairpark Ave and Seymour Ave in the heart of Carthage’s neighborhood. These two vacant lots were once the locus of community gathering for Carthage’s growing and diverse population.
HomeBase team and Yard & Co during a community engagement event in Carthage.
First community engagement event in Carthage.
In 2021, Carthage absorbed the devastating losses of the community’s major gathering spaces, St. Charles Borromeo Church, and its school buildings (and its Rec center in years prior). The growing Latinx community tried to save the buildings, appealing to the Archdiocese to keep the structures intact and transfer ownership to the community. Still, the Archdiocese ultimately demolished the 125 year old church structures. Recognizing the need to recreate a gathering space to keep community vibrancy intact, the Carthage Civic League took decisive action. It negotiated with the Archdiocese to acquire the now vacant parcels.
With the two sites under community control, HomeBase and CCL began working together to help the neighborhood re-imagine the empty spaces to match the collective wants and needs of the residents. HomeBase funded urban design consultant services through Cincinnati-based Yard & Co. to work with the civic league and engage the larger community in the re-envisioning process. The two lots have since been formally deemed “Carthage Commons.”
The highly engaged civic league formed a diverse, resident-led steering committee to work alongside Yard & Co. The primary objective of the committee has been to lead the transformation of the parcels into a focal point for community gathering and engagement, and a key attraction within the Carthage neighborhood. Jessica Wolf expressed optimism regarding the project's potential impact on the neighborhood. She emphasized the significance of establishing a dedicated venue for the civic league's activities, foreseeing enhanced community engagement, streamlined planning processes, and expedited project implementation as key benefits.
Carthage Commons is also about catering to the evolving needs of a diverse and growing community. With a focus on pedestrian safety, the project addresses pressing concerns regarding busy intersections and traffic hazards. Conversations with City authorities reflect a collaborative effort to implement effective measures, ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents. Moreover, the addition of a stage to the commons space holds promises for cultural enrichment and community engagement. Drawing inspiration from neighboring communities, stakeholders envision a multifunctional space that can accommodate various events and activities, from student performances to community gatherings.
Collaborating closely with YARD & Company, the steering committee and community meticulously crafted a design and vision for the spaces. Among the many residents elicited ideas for reimagining the lots are several family-oriented, park activities, such as community movie nights, family picnics, playscape, frisbee games, community gardening, and arts programming tailored for children. Additionally, the steering committee aims to host pop-up farmers markets to provide fresh food access and to support local businesses. Notably, the absence of a coffee shop in Carthage motivates the committee to include such amenities as part of the neighborhood's evolving local business landscape.
Reflecting on the inception of the project, Barb Johnson emphasized the organic evolution of the Carthage Commons concept. "It came about pretty organically…because it's something that we've been needing for so long," she stated. [Carthage Commons] is not merely about fulfilling practical needs like parking or providing a physical space for the civic league, but about fostering a sense of belonging and purpose for the entire community. Indeed, the emotional ties to the land, particularly for long-time residents with memories of the former school and church, underscore the profound significance of the project. As Jessica Wolf expressed, "We have a lot of residents who have been here for years and decades... So I think it'll be important for them to see that space used for the community."
Once Yard & Co. presented their final co-designed proposal to the civic league and larger community, the CCL was ready to begin the next phase of development. After being granted $100,000 for pre-development costs through the City’s NCCIP grant, HomeBase has helped procure pre-development proposals for architecture and engineering services for Carthage Commons.
Despite the inevitable challenges and uncertainties inherent in community-based development, optimism prevails among project leaders. "I'm really looking forward to having a central area for our community, bringing people together, and enjoying our time together," remarked Barbara Bell. The belief in the transformative potential of Carthage Commons to revitalize the area and strengthen community bonds is palpable.
Currently, the civic league operates on a volunteer basis, convening on the third Monday of each month (excluding January) at 7:30 pm. Although the league now utilizes various neighborhood venues for its meetings, the need for a centralized gathering space is underscored by the project’s related increases in community involvement and the need for organizational efficiency to advance the Carthage Commons project.
As Carthage embarks on this transformative journey, the vision for Carthage Commons extends beyond physical infrastructure. It embodies the collective aspirations of a community determined to shape its own destiny, fostering a sense of belonging, unity, and pride for generations to come. With unwavering determination and collaborative spirit, Carthage moves forward, one step closer to realizing its dreams of a vibrant and inclusive community space in the long-time heart of their neighborhood.