National Night Out, Congregate: Transforming Atlanta's Westside Through Art
The City of Atlanta Department of City Planning (DCP) is embarking on a new arts and cultural initiative for the English Avenue community, Congregate.
Congregate was created through partnership with The Beloved Community Inc. and is a product of National Night Out: Project 365. That project helps communities identify their specific problem areas and partner with organizations to solve them over the next 365 days. Congregate will aim to reduce inequities in the community by uplifting local artists, facilitating community engagement and improving infrastructure.
See Progress on English Ave Sidewalks Here
"Mother" Mamie Moore, long-time resident and community organizer, has been championing Westside Atlanta for years. She leads The Beloved Community Inc., the grassroots community activation group aimed at achieving their namesake in Atlanta.
"The partnership with DCP is important because it is an opportunity for us to contribute to the implementation of Atlanta City Design," Moore explained. "We are learning from the Department how to help and rebuild communities that may have been underserved in the past. The key to building The Beloved Community, is accepting partners from the entire community. This is necessary to lift up an underdeveloped area." Photo: "Mother" Mamie Moore
The Atlanta City Design, referenced by Moore, was created by DCP in 2017. It's the framework for creating an equitable Atlanta all can be proud of, as the city experiences monumental growth. City Design says “if people love their city they will make better decisions about it.” Moore's work in Westside Atlanta exemplifies this principle.
The same year City Design was released, DCP worked with Westside residents to complete the Westside Land Use Framework Plan. The design strategy aims to bring English Avenue to a thriving state, and is the foundation for Congregate. English Avenue and surrounding Westside neighborhoods have now began experiencing a revitalization.
"Congregate, with its locally focused art and cultural programming, will honor and elevate the identity and heritage of this neighborhood." - Planning Commissioner Tim Keane
Congregate will result in a public mural and several other public art initiatives including a monthly Artists and Makers Market where local residents can sell their goods. It will also help connect emerging artists and leaders within the community with established artists for collaboration efforts.
"English Avenue is an incredibly vibrant and historic neighborhood," said Planning Commissioner Tim Keane. "Congregate, with its locally focused art and cultural programming, will honor and elevate the identity and heritage of this neighborhood."
Photo: Atlanta freestyle rapper Soul Food Cypher
Moore continued, "Art and culture are the tools Project 365 and Congregate will use for the redevelopment of the Brawley/Alexander corridor on English Ave. This allows us to do both the physical development of the corridor and the development of the residents."
Structural enhancements to the area will include but aren’t limited to, new ADA compliant sidewalks, bus shelters and trash can installation.
Congregate will launch on National Night Out, August 6, 2019, on the grounds of St. Mark AME Church. Its empty, yet stunning frame serves as a reminder of the vibrant historic gathering place it once was. Now, thanks to Congregate, the space will be reconstructed and used as a host for forthcoming cultural and artistic programming. Join us for National Night Out at its location, the intersection of James P. Brawley Drive and Cameron Madison Alexander Boulevard. National Night Out will celebrate the English Avenue community through public art displays, children’s programming and musical performances. Dashboard coordinated National Night Out, Congregate efforts, including booking musical artists: DJ Collective Bae Worldwide, Mausiki Scales and the Common Ground Collective, and Soul Food Cypher. DCP will also discuss structural improvements made to English Avenue over the past 365 days, through partnership with the Atlanta Department of Public Works.