Some of the region’s top designers are teaming up with the
Community Design Collaborative and the Morgan Village Circle Community Development Corporation in Camden to revitalize a major commercial corridor. With a focus on gateways, green infrastructure and public spaces, the nascent plan could mean big changes for Morgan Village.
A neighborhood in the heart of the Camden officially defined as Fairview Street from Mt. Ephraim Avenue to Morgan Street, and Morgan Street to the I-676 interchange, the area includes one of Camden's newest and most important landmarks, the
Creative Arts Morgan Village Academy.
According to one of the group's lead designers,
OLIN’s Richard Newton, the resulting vision will capitalize on the school's location along the corridor; a proposed central gathering space will be located adjacent to the school where an underutilized parking lot sits now.
Other improvements include gateways to be located at each end of the corridor.
“The idea is to develop some long-term proposals for how land can be better utilized, create a hub and connect to other parks and open spaces in the immediate area," adds Newton.
The task force has already held a meeting at the Morgan Village High School to elicit feedback from local leaders and the public. They will present initial design ideas on October 15 in conjunction with the Morgan Village Circle CDC. The plan should be finished by the end of this year, following another round of public outreach. From there, the CDC can use it as a tool to gain attention and seek funding from a variety of sources.
Source: Richard Newton, OLIN
Writer:
Greg Meckstroth