Situation: Taking HEED

Homegrown Zoning Proposal

Union Square is a unique neighborhood that is home to a vibrant DIY artisan and maker culture, and a local-first entrepreneurial economy. The Union Square cultural micro-environment will soon be impacted by the new Green Line expansion and it is imperative that a new zoning plan should be proposed to protect it from external gentrification forces and support its growth. 

Based on my site visits and analysis, I want to focus the new zoning proposal on the triangular zone near Union Square bound by Prospect Street, Webster Avenue, and Somerville Avenue. This triangular zone will become a primary spatial connection between the new Green Line stop and the lively Union Square. However, this area is currently dilapidated and needs to be activated and densified in order to create an attractive urban fabric that would link Union Square proper to the new transit hub.

In order to activate and densify this zone, I propose to implement new "Homegrown Zoning" that aims to promote the local first culture of Union Square and deter external gentrification through new land uses, reuse of existing buildings, property ownership benchmarks and temporal vertical zoning. I aim to prevent gentrification and promote the local-first culture, because I have discovered through my research and site visits that these are the primary concerns of current residents of Union Square.

The new densified and activated district would build on the important characteristics I have discovered in Union Square, engage the existing buildings through infill and up-fill development, and reveal new economic and cultural possibilities for Union Square. 

The HEED Ecobator

In order to test the proposed Homegrown Zoning Plan, a new local business incubator is proposed to be deployed as an economic catalyst at the corner of Somerville Ave and Prospect St. 
 
The Incubator will play the role of a business and economic ecobator for the entrepreneurs of Union Square. The new center will be dubbed “HEED”, which stands for the “Homegrown Entrepreneurial Economy Dojo”. The new ecobator will partner with existing community organizations and incubators, such as the Artisans’ Asylum, and 

provide local entrepreneurs with physical, technological, and financial infrastructure.

The program will consist of rentable office spaces – short and long term – a large collaborative work space, a central lounge and kitchen, conference rooms, workshop spaces, a gallery, a rapid prototyping lab, and financial offices. Additionally, the HEED will provide short-term live-work spaces for those entrepreneurs trying to save money or relocate to Union Square. These spaces will be equipped with the basic technological infrastructure and will host business, marketing, and design thinking workshops for the community and HEED members.

The economic role of the ecobator will be as an inviting place where local entrepreneurs would visit for a small loan or financial advice. Lastly, HEED will provide a setting for community economic forums where the members can discuss and develop alternative economy strategies for Union Square.  The HEED will provide the foundation for growth of local businesses, economy, artists, and the community at large. 




What Do YOU Think?

As a Union Square resident, visitor, as an urban dweller, and a unique human being YOUR OPINION in this matter is extremely important. Please take 5 minutes to answer a few survey questions about this project or simply leave a digital imprint of your thoughts below.