If you build it, they will come

“If You Build It, They Will Come..." 

by Cortina Vann, BNCLT Board Member

The Summer of 2021 was the start of new beginnings for a vacant lot (381 Park Street), BNCLT, our BNCLT residents, and neighbors! We had faith that this lot could be a place to bring all neighbors together and be a safe space to grow. The intention has been to activate the street and do base building with the neighborhood around the location where BNCLT may eventually develop CLT housing (the address of that lot is 357 Park Street).

For anything to grow, one needs to prepare the ground to plant seeds, water, nourish, and care. We got the license to use 381 Park Street in July 2021. Cole, our BNCLT Organizer, has been an exceptional “Farmer.” Cole did door knocking and flyering to meet the neighbors.

Cole brought neighbors together which included BNCLT residents of 349 Park Street. They came together and built a garden bed, and had a vacant lot visioning event on July 31st. It was an opportunity to brainstorm together on what they wanted to do in the lot and they utilized the space to make signs and take photos to support the TOPA (Tenants Opportunity to Purchase Act) legislation. TOPA: House Bill H1426/Senate Bill S890-A “Act to guarantee a tenant’s first right of refusal” would allow cities and town the local option and providing tenants in multi-family buildings the right to match a third-party offer when their homes are being sold.

The 381 Park Street Lot has produced a great harvest of community activities, camaraderie, and community support:

● On August 24th, we planted the garden with a donation of plants from Ballou farm

● Neighbors had a great idea to host a Halloween party. They created a safe place for the neighborhood kids to come and trick or treat

● Had a harvest party in November and harvested the garden

● Installed a little free library donated by a local artist

Cindy Heraldo is a neighbor that Cole door knocked. Cindy was excited about the ideas that Cole shared about the potential of the vacant lot next door. Cindy shared that, “I enjoy having a space where we can encourage people to meet”. Cindy is a caregiver for children. She and the children have participated in activities at the lot.

The development of the vacant lot has given her an opportunity to get to know her neighbors better. She has seen her neighbors and they greet each other, “Hi and Bye”, but know they get to meet face to face. They are getting to know each other better. Cindy shared that she meet a woman named Sandra who is from her fellow homeland of Trinidad. Cindy shared that this lot has brought a “sense of belonging”:

I can see us going up from here- Building together. Feels different now from what it use to be. Awesome for me and others together! --Cindy Heraldo