BLOOMINGDALE CIVIC ASSOCIATION
RECEIVES $2500 COMMUNITY HERITAGE GRANT
FROM THE HUMANITIES COUNCIL OF DC FOR “BLOOMINGDALE VILLAGE CENTER: RESEARCH AND PLANNING ACTIVITIES”

This grant will enable residents of Bloomingdale to engage in research, planning and design activities necessary for and preparatory to the development of the BLOOMINGDALE VILLAGE CENTER – a cohesive heritage and public space in the 1st and Rhode Island , NW area. The Village Center will complement the Bloomingdale Heritage Trail and Bloomingdale’s distinctive architectural character, reinforce its sense of place and neighborhood identity, and provide public urban social spaces – all consistent with recommendations of the Mid-City East Small Area Plan.

Major components of the RESEARCH portion of the grant are:

-Design of an oral history interview protocol

-Conduct, audio/videotaping and editing of 25 oral history interviews of youth, adults, seniors, newcomers and oldtimers on “life in Bloomingdale” (interviewees will be paid a small stipend)

-Preparation of an electronic ‘living history’ of Bloomingdale (social, architectural, institutional)

Major components of the PLANNING & DESIGN portion of the grant are development of blueprints, renderings , specifications , and cost estimates for:

-Landscaping and streetscaping of distressed portions of pocket parks at 1st and Rhode Island and T Street, NW

-Streetscaping of 1st Street, NW between Rhode Island atd Seaton Place

-Landscaping and streetscaping of Rhode Island Avenue, NW between 1st and 2nd Street

-Designing a major Bloomingdale landmark e.g., clock or sculpture

-Digital multi-media (and easily updatable) Community Bulletin Board (on the the 1st Street façade of the Bloomingdale Liquors Store) that will feature a map and listing of neighborhood businesses and sites of interest, Bloomingdale history including excerpts of oral history interviews, and listing of upcoming community events and opportunities.

At the conclusion of the Humanities Heritage Grant (mid-October ,2015), the blueprints, renderings, related cost estimates, and historical research will enable solicitation of grant funds for fabrication, installation, and construction of the Bloomingdale Village Center.

BCA IS IN URGENT NEED OF VOLUNTEERS WILLING YO PARTICIPATE IN CURRENT GRANT ACTIVITIES.

-If interested in any of the PLANNING & DESIGN activities, contact Zach Sherif at zpnyc09@gmail.com

-If interested in assisting with the digital BLOOMINGDALE ‘LIVING HISTORY’ , contact Paul Cerruti at paulcerruti@gmail.com

-If interested in ORAL HISTORY INTERVIEW activities (designing , conducting, videotaping, and/or editing interviews; soliciting or recommending persons to provide an oral interview), contact Bertha Holliday at bhollidaypsy@gmail.com

PARTICIPATE!!

HELP BRING THE BLOOMINGDALE VILLAGE CENTER TO LIFE!!