[ Alta Sita Plan ]

The 1999 Alta Sita Revitalization Plan

Part I

A Five-year Revitalization Strategy for improving the
Quality of Life for Current and future residents of Alta Sita

November 1999

The purpose of Alta Sita's 1999 Revitalization Plan is to record the current conditions of the Alta Sita Neighborhood and create a document that includes a set of concrete proposals that can assist Alta Sita Neighbors Inc. (ASNI) in achieving their primary goal of improving the living conditions for the residents of Alta Sita. The specific goals must be generated by as broad a group of residents as possible to secure a plan that serves all residents of the neighborhood. This has been a priority throughout the development of the plan and extensive outreach efforts and regular meeting has accomplished a very broad base of participating residents. A well-developed strategy for the desired changes in the neighborhood is necessary for success in implementing any larger scale programs. Without a comprehensive plan the greater picture of how individual programs will work together is missing. Another relevant issue is that a planning document such as this is important for the chance of success in obtaining funding. For these reasons ASNI has developed a comprehensive Neighborhood Revitalization Plan that documents the current status of the neighborhood and clearly outlines the desired changes and how to achieve them.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Introduction

1.1 Purpose of the plan
1.2 Study area
1.3 History of the Alta Sita Neighborhood
1.4 History of Alta Sita Neighbors Inc.
1.5 East St. Louis Action Research Project
1.6 Context for the Alta Sita Neighborhood revitalization Plan

Chapter 2. Methodology

2.1 Empowerment Planning
2.2 Participatory Action Research
2.3 Direct Action Organizing
2.4 Education for Critical Consciousness
2.5 Empowerment planning used to create the revitalization plan

Chapter 3. Profile of Alta Sita Neighborhood

3.1 Census data
3.2 Neighborhood Condition Survey results

Map List

• 3.1 Land Use Map
• 3.2 Building Occupancy Map
• 3.3 Building Condition Map
• 3.4 Building Material Map
• 3.5 Building Stories Map
• 3.6 Building Improvements Map
• 3.7 Property Condition Map
• 3.8 Trash on Property Map
• 3.9 Trash on Public Right-of-Way Map
• 3.10 Plant Growth Obstructing Sidewalk or Public Right-of-Way Map

3.3 Infrastructure Condition Survey

Map List

• 3.11 Street Material Map
• 3.12 Street Condition Map
• 3.13 Parking Map
• 3.14 Sidewalk Condition Map (left side)
• 3.15 Sidewalk Condition Map (right side)
• 3.16 Curb Condition Map (left side)
• 3.17 Curb Condition Map (right side)

Chapter 4. Local perception

4.1 Cognitive mapping
4.2 Resident’s Survey Results
4.3 Institutional Interviews
4.3 Children’s Planning Exercise & Neighborhood Summit

Chapter 5. Conclusion

5.1 Strengths
5.2 Weaknesses
5.3 Opportunities
5.4 Threats

Appendix 1 : Interview guide - residential
Appendix 2 : Interview guide - institutional
Appendix 3 : Summary of Children's Planning exercise
Appendix 4 : Summary of Neighborhood Summit Issue committees

Document Author: Janni Sorensen
Last modified: 11 January 2001, Deanna Koenigs