In January, Chattarati invited leaders and thinkers to participate in What Matters Now, a commentary series of ideas for our region in 2010.
Borrowing
Written by Caleb Ludwick, Matt Greenwell, DJ Trischler and Paul Rustand for Widgets & Stone.
View the full-size illustration.
Chattanooga is becoming known for innovative ideas, cool events and great places to have great experiences. But what about the spaces—and times—in between? The long stretches of dead street between point A and point B. Boring Tuesday afternoons and silent Saturdays.
As a city, we need to deliver more than big, cutting edge, glamorous, attention-grabbing moments. We also need the connective tissue that connects the dots.
Here’s one idea for bringing everyday animation to these gaps. What if some of the holes in the downtown experience were publicly shared by their private owners, on an interim basis? With simple, low-cost space interventions, space could be created for life to grow organically, at human scale.
Rather than inhibiting development of these spaces, such animation can inspire new ideas and new tenants. So that now—as well as later, when they're developed—they bring life to the city, and the city to life.
Widgets & Stone is a branding and design firm in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Mark McKnight on Feb. 2, 2010
Great point Caleb, and I love the illustration. I'm sure there are a web of legal problems with setting up that space as a park (in fact I think there's still a lawsuit going on, haven't checked lately). BUT- we should demand this kind of intervention! It would really turn that block around.
rustand on Feb. 2, 2010
Thanks Mark... please take a gander at the full-size illustration:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/widgetsandstone/4323554172/sizes/o/
it is better.
Josh McManus on Feb. 2, 2010
Seeing potential and not problems. I love it. Great work! We need more, keep the images coming. What could be done around Glass St. and Wisdom St.? What about along the river behind Cambron Hill? Industrial sites in Alton Park? So much possibility.
blythe bailey on Feb. 2, 2010
Yes! Let's play some ball.
Ann Coulter on Feb. 4, 2010
This is great! I'll plant one of the fruit trees!
sheldongrizzle on Feb. 7, 2010
Word. This is beautiful! Chattanooga Football Club will help track down some goals for the mini soccer field and I am sure we can get someone to contribute some turf.
Who do we have to talk to around here to push this kind of stuff through the bureaucratic mess of government and politics?
David Morton on Feb. 7, 2010
I imagine the first step would be talking to the property owner and getting him/her on board.