- LISTENING TO COMMUNITY

Real engagement means honoring the moment when a community says, ‘Not like this.’

In 2021, TYTHEdesign partnered with various NYC agencies (HPD, NYCEDC, LPD) to support the redevelopment of the Bedford-Church site, located in Flatbush, Brooklyn, into affordable housing, a multi-faceted community space, and a memorial. Honoring the site’s historical significance, TYTHE facilitated virtual meetings with the Flatbush African Burial Ground Remembrance and Redevelopment (FABGRR) Task Force, public workshops, and supported a multilingual survey. We were able to successfully amplify the voices of community members–regardless of the outcome. 

The resulting Community Engagement Report captured public priorities around memorialization, history, and development. The community members engaged in the process were able to say, “This plan does not work for us.” The agencies involved and other members of the city team listened and honored the needs of the community. Their voices changed the direction of the project. This type of community consultation and engagement is more important than ever as we continue to seek to close the gap between government bureaucracy and the people they serve.