A comprehensive community center that supports a range of recreational, educational, cultural, and community-based activities in Texas' densest neighborhood.
Workshops were advertised in a variety of locations, from grocery stores to laundromats, in numerous languages, including Spanish and Arabic. Childcare, food, and transportation to and from workshops was provided to support participation in events.
BakerRipley is a transformative community project that empowered a low income, majority-immigrant neighborhood to navigate engagement processes, create leadership around their voices, and grow capacity for subsequent projects.
BakerRipley created new facilities in an older apartment center to provide social services relevant to the community, such as law centers to assist residents with issues ranging from taxes to immigration, a business incubator, and a charter school.
By listening to the desires of the community, an old apartment center was transformed into a facility that provides both culturally appropriate services and uses desired by the community.
Redevelopment of the site also preserved several older oak trees, adding to the site’s sustainability.
As part of the plan, a charter school on site provides an outdoor nature playground and splash garden in addition to robust programming to serve youth from the neighborhood.
Creating open space in Houston’s most densely populated neighborhood is a milestone to celebrate.
