Develop Here?
If you are thinking of building or developing in the Academy Heights area or along Valley Street we urge you to talk with the Academy Heights Neighborhood Association during preliminary stages. Our neighborhood has a vested and passionate interest in what is constructed here and without our support, a project could be held up for months or years.
Before entering in to a conversation with us, be advised that the neighborhood will look for several things in development--many of which will include the preservation of quality-of-life issues over that of economic gain.
Use the form below to contact us.
ARCHITECTURAL IMPACT & PRECEDENT:
IMPACT: Structures should minimize impact on residents of the area, including our vistas, property values, walkability and neighborhood safety. Consider constructing buildings that have "peaks and valleys" to maintain vistas of South Mountain through the ups and downs of architecture. Think about creating out-of-the-box structures that offer community space, accessible to all and benefiting neighbors in the immediate vicinity.
PUBLIC SPACE PRECEDENT: We prefer that developers maintain set-backs and semi- or full public space in the fronts of structures, or somehow allow the community access to the space within.
Most of the wide-spread housing stock in our neighbourhood, although not regal, is historic. It maintains front lawns and gardens as semi-public space: near enough to the street to generate conversations between porch-sitters and passers-by, and to be viewed as “community space.” These set-backs from the street are imperative to a connected and safe community while simultaneously offering public space.
STYLE AND SCALE: Our neighborhood has a variation in architectural styles. The prevailing home style is that of two-storey, wood-frame houses built before 1930, and many before 1900. Homes are built close together, yet always with green spaces, trees, and access to walkable streets.
A second style, somewhat unappreciated, by worth preserving is that of 1940s and 1950s auto show rooms and mechanic shops that line Valley Street. Academy Heights neighbors believe that these buildings should be re-purposed in ways that will accentuate their bygone style. We bring attention to some of the buildings along the street where businesses have had success in doing this: Buy Rite Liquors, BCB Bank and Blink Fitness.
Before entering in to a conversation with us, be advised that the neighborhood will look for several things in development--many of which will include the preservation of quality-of-life issues over that of economic gain.
Use the form below to contact us.
ARCHITECTURAL IMPACT & PRECEDENT:
IMPACT: Structures should minimize impact on residents of the area, including our vistas, property values, walkability and neighborhood safety. Consider constructing buildings that have "peaks and valleys" to maintain vistas of South Mountain through the ups and downs of architecture. Think about creating out-of-the-box structures that offer community space, accessible to all and benefiting neighbors in the immediate vicinity.
PUBLIC SPACE PRECEDENT: We prefer that developers maintain set-backs and semi- or full public space in the fronts of structures, or somehow allow the community access to the space within.
Most of the wide-spread housing stock in our neighbourhood, although not regal, is historic. It maintains front lawns and gardens as semi-public space: near enough to the street to generate conversations between porch-sitters and passers-by, and to be viewed as “community space.” These set-backs from the street are imperative to a connected and safe community while simultaneously offering public space.
STYLE AND SCALE: Our neighborhood has a variation in architectural styles. The prevailing home style is that of two-storey, wood-frame houses built before 1930, and many before 1900. Homes are built close together, yet always with green spaces, trees, and access to walkable streets.
A second style, somewhat unappreciated, by worth preserving is that of 1940s and 1950s auto show rooms and mechanic shops that line Valley Street. Academy Heights neighbors believe that these buildings should be re-purposed in ways that will accentuate their bygone style. We bring attention to some of the buildings along the street where businesses have had success in doing this: Buy Rite Liquors, BCB Bank and Blink Fitness.