A PLACE FOR THE ARTS -3

"We can make a profound difference by creating the exemplar --the model that is so powerful it changes the way we do things," he said. "There is this thought that it costs too much to build sustainably. But when we created the most sustainable building ever created in Ventura, we showed that you could build sustainable for the same cost as non-sustainable. We showed that if PLACE can figure out how to build sustainable housing marketed to homeless people and stay within budget, then other developers can certainly build sustainable for market rate condo and malls. We believe it isn't ethical anymore to create a community that isn't sustainable."

Velasco said PLACE is very focused on social justice and making sure everyone benefits from the enrichment of communities through the arts. In the WAV artist live-work and mixed use building in Ventura, California, more than 140 meetings were held before construction commenced -- to ensure that every element of the project was compatible to every element of the community.

"There is a lot of talk around the country about how the arts are a powerful gentrification force in a community. People say `isn't this (project) going to gentrify the area?' and the answer is `it sure seems that way, pretty reliably,'" Velasco said. "If we do assume that (the arts will bring gentrification), then the key is to ask ourselves `how do we make sure there are opportunities for persons from every income level to benefit in the growth in value?` "


Wright frequently writes about Smart Growth and sustainable communities. He and his wife live in a restored historic home in the heart of Miami’s Little Havana. Contact him at: stevewright64@yahoo.com