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How might we restore vibrancy in cities and regions facing economic decline? Read the challenge brief

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Mission #1 Explore Vibrancy Find out more...

Enriching poor neighborhoods

Give Space Now turns empty spaces into new ventures to bring new life to depopulated areas

Many entrepreneurs and project initiators need a space to do their stuff, yet many spaces just sits empty possibly waiting for something or just falling apart. Give Space Now aims to change that by using and sharing their knowledge of how they turned an old empty hard candy factory into a building with events and a gallery, cinema, library, bicycle workshop, media workshop, cafe, and much more.

Mission #1 Explore Vibrancy Find out more...

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Paul Reader

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December 05, 2011, 08:43AM
I don't have all the details yet but here in Hobart (a tiny city by Detroit standards) a local group used social entrepreneurship and corporate social responsibility to build some low cost housing then survey the city for homeless people. This allowed them to offer housing to 50 plus people within a week of the survey. It was interesting to learn that for most of these people the lack of housing was determined to be a fundamental stumbling block to employment and giving them the opportunity to contribute positively in the broader community.
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Fred Krawchuk

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December 04, 2011, 04:25AM
I agree....and the good news is that Detroit offers relatively cheap real estate (compared to other urban areas) and the city is offering newcomers incentives to move downtown. For example, the 15 x 15 initiative (http://www.hudson-webber.org/missionvision/15x15-initiative) is looking at innovative ways to attract 15,000 young, talented households to Greater Downtown Detroit by 2015.
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Melissa Martin

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December 01, 2011, 09:35PM
Truly fantastic idea. I live in West Oakland and pass by many such spaces every single day. Just thinking of the possibilities for how they could be used to benefit the community is energizing and inspiring. bravo!
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Anthony DeCaria

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November 23, 2011, 09:01PM
Yes, I agree Meena - it does sound interesting. There was a program that did something similar in Franklin, Tennessee. They offer arts, antiques, dining, entertainment, classes, etc. Very cool concept. They've got something similar in Detroit already and are looking to add another. Unfortunately Detroit has too many vacant properties to convert like this alone.

http://www.factoryatfranklin.com/
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Meena Kadri

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November 14, 2011, 01:00AM
Sounds interesting Thomas. Is this an existing initiative? What location(s) does it serve? Perhaps you'd like to include a few more details + a link. Tip: to activate the links in your post, hit the Update Entry button up there on the right, then follow the instructions here: http://bit.ly/oi_link
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