Building Neighborhood Organizations

Building communities begins with building local capacity to develop and implement neighborhood improvements. The Emerson Park Development Corporation (EPDC) exemplifies the kind of local community organization that can make a difference. EPDC has been pursuing its neighborhood improvement agenda–based on two revitalization planning processes, one in 1990 and another in 1998–with determination and conviction. For over a decade EPDC has worked to ensure that residents of Emerson Park make the decisions and provide the leadership necessary to improve their community. The following pages are highlights of EPDC’s accomplishments: