Breaking Barriers: Transforming Community Engagement for Meaningful Collective Impact

Sticky Notes Brainstorm on Wall

Community Engagement Activity Participant Guide

Activity Purpose

Explore community engagement challenges and solutions using the hypothetical Oakridge Commons Housing Development Project.

Your Role

You'll be assigned and/or choose one of these roles to represent in your group:

  • City Planner
  • Vocal Community Member
  • Disengaged Resident
  • Underrepresented Community Leader
  • Optional roles: Council Member, Mayor, Youth Representative, Neighborhood Associations, Housing Advocates, Chamber of Commerce, Environmental Groups, School District, Local Businesses, City Officials, or other stakeholders – everyone is welcome!

This will be the point of view you represent as you consider engagement challenges and successful approaches during the brainstorming exercise.

The Project: Oakridge Commons

Project Summary

What: 250-unit mixed-income housing development (30% affordable units)

Where: 12-acre former industrial site in Millbrook (pop. 75,000)

When: Completion targeted for Fall 2027

Why: Address housing needs and revitalize brownfield site

More: See additional context below.

Activity Structure

Duration: 30 minutes (this exercise should be 45+ minutes)

Part 1: Setup (5 minutes)

  1. Form groups of 4-5+ people
  2. Choose your roles – This will be the point of view you represent/consider during the brainstorming exercise.
  3. Select your engagement method:
    • Digital: Using EngagementHQ platform
    • Analog: Using sticky notes and markers

Part 2: Challenge Identification (10 minutes)

Identify and note specific challenges related to engagement in these topic areas from your role POV:

  • Access & Equity - Example: Language barriers, digital divide
  • Representation - Example: Underrepresented groups, diverse voices
  • Apathy - Example: Low community interest
  • Transparency - Example: Communication gaps

Part 3: Successful Approaches (10 minutes)

Discuss and note successful approaches and solutions for the challenges you identified from your role POV:

  • Consider practical approaches
  • Think about available resources
  • Draw from real-world experience
  • Focus on actionable solutions

Part 4: Sharing (5 minutes)

  • Share your group's favorite challenge/solution
  • Listen to other groups' presentations
  • Upvote and comment on other group's ideas
  • Check-back next week for the report

Remember, there are no wrong answers! The goal is to learn from each other and develop effective engagement strategies.

Community Engagement Activity Participant Guide

Activity Purpose

Explore community engagement challenges and solutions using the hypothetical Oakridge Commons Housing Development Project.

Your Role

You'll be assigned and/or choose one of these roles to represent in your group:

  • City Planner
  • Vocal Community Member
  • Disengaged Resident
  • Underrepresented Community Leader
  • Optional roles: Council Member, Mayor, Youth Representative, Neighborhood Associations, Housing Advocates, Chamber of Commerce, Environmental Groups, School District, Local Businesses, City Officials, or other stakeholders – everyone is welcome!

This will be the point of view you represent as you consider engagement challenges and successful approaches during the brainstorming exercise.

The Project: Oakridge Commons

Project Summary

What: 250-unit mixed-income housing development (30% affordable units)

Where: 12-acre former industrial site in Millbrook (pop. 75,000)

When: Completion targeted for Fall 2027

Why: Address housing needs and revitalize brownfield site

More: See additional context below.

Activity Structure

Duration: 30 minutes (this exercise should be 45+ minutes)

Part 1: Setup (5 minutes)

  1. Form groups of 4-5+ people
  2. Choose your roles – This will be the point of view you represent/consider during the brainstorming exercise.
  3. Select your engagement method:
    • Digital: Using EngagementHQ platform
    • Analog: Using sticky notes and markers

Part 2: Challenge Identification (10 minutes)

Identify and note specific challenges related to engagement in these topic areas from your role POV:

  • Access & Equity - Example: Language barriers, digital divide
  • Representation - Example: Underrepresented groups, diverse voices
  • Apathy - Example: Low community interest
  • Transparency - Example: Communication gaps

Part 3: Successful Approaches (10 minutes)

Discuss and note successful approaches and solutions for the challenges you identified from your role POV:

  • Consider practical approaches
  • Think about available resources
  • Draw from real-world experience
  • Focus on actionable solutions

Part 4: Sharing (5 minutes)

  • Share your group's favorite challenge/solution
  • Listen to other groups' presentations
  • Upvote and comment on other group's ideas
  • Check-back next week for the report

Remember, there are no wrong answers! The goal is to learn from each other and develop effective engagement strategies.

  • Oakridge Commons

    Project Context

    Oakridge Commons Housing Development Project - Project Overview

    The City of Millbrook (population 75,000) is considering a proposal for a new mixed-income housing development on a 12-acre parcel of previously industrial land. The proposed Oakridge Commons would include 250 residential units across multiple buildings, ranging from townhouses to 4-story apartment buildings. The development would include 30% affordable units, with the remainder at market rate. The site is located in a transitioning neighborhood that historically served as a manufacturing district but has seen several factory closures in the past decade.

    City Goals

    • Increase housing supply to address rising housing costs
    • Create an inclusive, mixed-income community
    • Revitalize a brownfield site
    • Improve neighborhood connectivity and walkability
    • Generate new tax revenue from previously vacant land
    • Meet sustainability and green building standards
    • Complete the project within 3 years

    Planned Project Timeline

    • Current Phase: Pre-planning and community engagement (4 months)
    • Environmental Review: 6 months
    • Design and Permitting: 8 months
    • Site Remediation: 4 months
    • Construction Phase 1: 12 months
    • Construction Phase 2: 12 months
    • Target Completion: Fall 2027

    Community Concerns

    • Environmental contamination from previous industrial use
    • Increased traffic on already congested streets
    • Impact on already overcrowded schools
    • Strain on existing infrastructure (water, sewer, power)
    • Parking availability in the neighborhood
    • Building heights and neighborhood character
    • Construction noise and disruption
    • Questions about who will qualify for affordable units
    • Property values impact on surrounding homes

    Unique Challenges

    • Many current residents are renters concerned about displacement
    • Local businesses worry about construction impacts
    • Recent unsuccessful affordable housing projects have created skepticism
    • The area has a significant immigrant population (35%)
    • Site requires environmental cleanup
    • Active neighborhood social media groups often spread misinformation
    • Infrastructure capacity questions

    Location Context

    The site is bordered by Oak Street and Ridge Avenue, near the intersection with the Metro Blue Line light rail station. It's within a 10-minute walk of a grocery store, elementary school, and community health center. The surrounding neighborhood is primarily single-family homes and small businesses, with some 2-3 story apartment buildings. The area has seen increasing property values due to its proximity to public transit and downtown.


    Note: This hypothetical was created with the assistance of Claude.AI