Every year, the Collaborative recognizes the volunteer team and client of one pro bono project for excellence in design, collaboration, and community impact with its Community Design Award. This year’s Community Design Award went to Project Reclaim, a block and neighborhood revitalization plan for Viola Street Residents Association (VSRA).

VSRA had already been working to reclaim their historic blocks in East Parkside—establishing a community garden and carefully maintaining their homes. Our plan will take them far further and Viola Street is already getting started.

This summer, Viola Street set the new plan in motion, working with Habitat for Humanity of Philadelphia to restore windows and porches on historic homes and with the Neighborhood Garden Trust to expand their community garden.

In October, Project Reclaim was unanimously accepted by the Philadelphia City Planning Commission as a neighborhood plan—a big step for Viola Street and a first for the Collaborative.

Congratulations to Viola Street Residents Association and the Collaborative volunteer team!

Joyce and Randy Smith of Viola Street Residents Association Paul Vernon, RA and Joy Mariama Smith of KSK Architects Planners Historians Dan Chong, AIA Andrew Dobshinsky, AICP Brian Johnson Christine Miller Cruiess Leah Rominger Kate Rutledge Lucious Johnson, CPE of International Consultants, Inc.

Project Reclaim was one of three Community Design Award finalists this year. See 2014 finalists Starfinder Foundation and Friends of the Rail Park.