Michael Smith is a long-time Strong Towns member who joins this episode of The Bottom-Up Revolution podcast along with his colleague, architect Aaron Holverson. Together they work at Studio GWA, a planning and architecture firm based in Rockford. In this conversation, we discuss a historic revitalization project in a core neighborhood of Rockford, the challenges that come with a project like this, and also why the street and surrounding blocks matter to the success of a place like this. It’s a great lesson in what it takes to bring an old building back to life—certainly not a piece of cake—but also a lesson in what can happen when a community has a place to feel proud of.
Additional Show NotesStudio GWA website
Join us for our upcoming “Late Night with Strong Towns” event on April 8! If you’re a Strong Towns member, you should already have received your invite via email. If you’re not a member, we’d love to have you join the movement today, then you’ll receive your invite. (If you’re a member and haven’t seen your invite yet, email alexa@strongtowns.org and she’ll help you out.)
Send us your own voicemail about the small (or big) thing you’re doing to make your town stronger. Just record a voice memo on your phone and email it to rachel@strongtowns.org.
Subscribe to The Bottom-Up Revolution on iTunes, Google Podcasts, Podbean, or via RSS.
Support this show and our many other resources for helping your town grow stronger by becoming a member today.
Coté Soerens: Creating a Coffee Shop for the Whole Neighborhood
Jeanyll Morris: Empowering Young People to Rebuild Homes
Marilyn Burns and Leah Ross: Starting a Community Laundry Co-op
Charles and Whitney Coats: Promoting More Housing, More Options, More Access
Mayor Chris Frye: Shifting Perceptions About a Rust Belt City
De'Amon Harges: A Roving Listener
Lisa Leslie: Building a Cohousing Community
Jason T. Hyman: Bridging the Wealth Gap Through Intentional Investment
Strongest Town 2021: Bentonville, AR
Strongest Town 2021: Bismarck, ND
Strongest Town 2021: Oxford, MS
Strongest Town 2021: Lockport, IL
Amanda Workman Scott and Jenny Totten: Supporting and Developing Rural Leaders
Alex Rodriguez and Danny Lapin: Reactivating a Historic Space for the Whole Community
Abby Kinney and Dennis Strait: People-Centered Urban Planning
Kelly Rae Kirkpatrick: A Strong Towns Advocate on her City Council
Alfred Melbourne: Growing Food, Growing Resilience
Dan Sally: Moving Past the Two-Party System
Jen Wolosin: Stepping Up to Run for Public Office
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Maverick Show with Matt Bowles
The Jeff Does Vegas Podcast
Urban Lady Prepper
Now You Know One Autistic! Podcast
Stuff You Should Know
Timcast IRL