Burten, Bell, Carr Development Inc. began the process of creating a new master plan for the Central and Kinsman neighborhoods in 2014. First, we hired a team of highly competent planning and community engagement experts to help us initiate a comprehensive, multi-faceted community outreach strategy aimed at engaging as many residents and stakeholders as possible and collecting as much feedback as possible. This model of engagement ensured that our new master plan represented the interests of stakeholders, incorporated their wishes and desires, and established a vision for the neighborhood that residents wanted to see come to fruition. The final version of the master plan built on the major achievements that originated from the previous master plan and identified new, dynamic ways we can continue to cultivate a positive neighborhood identity in Kinsman and Central.

The community planning process occurred in several phases. BBC began by hosting community meetings in late March and early April 2014 for both neighborhoods to solicit information on community needs related to housing, transportation, recreation, health, and safety. We also contacted over thirty key neighborhood stakeholders to conduct interviews regarding these needs.

In the second phase of the neighborhood planning process, BBC placed several large feedback boards throughout the Central and Kinsman neighborhoods in grocery stores, libraries, and eateries to collect ideas and suggestions from residents. Each board was completely covered with feedback from the community. We also surveyed nearly 200 residents who attended the annual Ward 5 Family Festival at Friendly Inn in June 2014. We used all the information gathered in this process and presented a preliminary draft of the plans to each neighborhood at meetings in late July 2014. Residents provided input on what they liked about the plans and suggestions on what should be changed.

During the third and final phase of the community planning process, BBC conducted a series of community meetings where over 100 residents and stakeholders gathered per meeting. During each meeting, residents and stakeholders reviewed the latest draft of the plan, which incorporated feedback gathered throughout the year. Residents in attendance were able to share what they agreed with in the plan and what, if anything, they thought was missing.

Presentations from all stages in the planning process were made available for download on BBC’s website. We made mention of the available plans on our social media and on our blog. Additionally, BBC kept paper copies of the presentations in the lobby for public viewing during regular business hours. Development staff members were available to explain the plan and answer questions. Residents and other members of the public were encouraged to submit comments and feedback on the plan.
The current master plan, the Kinsman and Central Neighborhood Plan, was completed in 2016.

In 2010 and 2011, Burten, Bell, Carr Development, Inc., Neighborhood Progress Inc., and neighborhood stakeholders initiated a target area planning process for the Colfax-Garden Valley portion of the Kinsman neighborhood. A desire to be “bold” was repeated throughout the planning process and is reflected in the new Target Area Plan, which envisions the Colfax-Garden Valley neighborhood not only growing to sustain itself but also positioning itself to leverage major planned investments to become a preferred area for future market-rate and transit-oriented development.

In 2013, BBC received a grant from Enterprise Community Partners to further sustainability and promote sustainable mobility in Kinsman. Grant funds would be utilized to study and visualize the potential to pedestrianize and improve the bikeability of Kinsman Road.

BBC’s vision is that existing infrastructure could be adapted to include pedestrian and cycling treatments that make Kinsman Road more conducive to walking, biking, and transit use. These treatments could include new crosswalks, new lane configurations, bike lanes, and streetscape improvements. Because the plan would not call for major modifications, it could be implemented within three to five years.

BBC hired a transportation engineering consultant and engaged stakeholders and community members to determine what they would like to see in a redesigned Kinsman Road between East 68th and 84th Streets. Our consultant would also identify common goals, create draft alternatives for discussion and evaluation, and develop the selected alternative to be implemented in the near future.

The result of this process, which took place in the summer and fall of 2013, is the Kinsman Road Multi-Modal Transportation Study. We anticipate that the improvements contained in the plan will encourage and promote healthy, active, and sustainable transportation and support those who walk, bike, or use transit, both out of necessity and by choice.

The Ward 5 Master Plan is comprised of three community-driven master plans for the Central, Kinsman-Union, and Forgotten Triangle neighborhoods that were published between 2005 and 2007. These plans are still available to download and will remain online for archival purposes.

The neighborhood-level CHNA for the Buckeye, Central, and Kinsman neighborhoods was conducted by Burten, Bell, Carr Development, Inc. (BBC) in collaboration with the Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation (OBCDC) and the Mary Ann Swetland Center for Environmental Health at Case Western Reserve University. The CHNA was conducted to inform and secure support for future neighborhood-based and health-related program development and policy initiatives that align with community needs and desires for change.