Market Center Community Development Corporation
Community-Centered Neighborhood Development
How a Community Development Corporation modeled authentic community engagement and partnership to create a master plan for the community’s 30 year vision.
About Our Client
The Market Center Community Development Corporation serves as a bridge between downtown Baltimore’s residents, businesses, and local community members. It leverages the deep roots of the Market Center Merchant Association, established in 1983, while looking forward to the future.
The Brief
Asking Questions to Make Space
How can we conduct a harmonic symphony with a wide range of stakeholder groups? Would we truly be able to hear each other’s voices? Would we be able to navigate power dynamics across various lived experiences? We came ready to expand the conversation by asking questions to reduce static while inviting groups into envisioning what was possible — together.
Our Role
Thought Partner
Process Design Consultant
Facilitator
Grounding our approach
We leveraged our in-depth knowledge and experience of Baltimore City, as well as our extensive knowledge of multi-stakeholder collaborations. By connecting with artists, business/property owners, students, residents, developers, and employees, we brought the focus to amplifying the vibrancy of the Market Center region and its multiple stakeholders — even in the midst of differing perspectives.
In practice, that means we seized the opportunity to build equity into the strategic revitalization plan design — especially at the interaction points between community leaders and experts from established organizations. We expanded beyond surface discussions by collectively working through exercises to create shared understanding, shared accountability, and a respect for everyone’s contributions.
Impact & Outcomes of Our Time with Market Center:
Deep listening of stakeholders, data collection, and intentional engagement to produce Phase 1 development of a neighborhood strategic revitalization plan
A focus on equity that left participants feeling heard, valued, and included in the development process
Thorough, inclusive process design and collection of stakeholder data that led to our client receiving a Baltimore Regional Neighborhood Initiative grant to implement select projects from Phase 1!
A contract extension to work on Phase 2 where we continued to elevate community engagement and dive deeper into partnership development and completed the Strategic Revitalization Plan that was accepted by the Baltimore City Department of Planning.
By the Numbers:
110+ Unique Participants
3 public meeting events
6 focus group sessions
4 advisory meetings
110+ Unique Participants
6 partnership sessions
Hear from a participant:
“This process went deep and comprehensive.”
It was handled equitably, encouraged participants to think critically, and uncovered what we didn’t know, which were the things that caused us the most problems. Thoughts, comments, and participation were directed with helpful parameters which supported critical thinking and prevented whining and complaining. Input from the various stakeholders was enlightening and encouraging for my own work, and confirmed that we were on the right track. Engaging with the VPI’s stakeholder engagement processes will help you move forward, period. Whatever process you’re stuck in, you will gain a sense of clarity and direction.”
Robert Thomas, Former Executive Director, Baltimore Public Markets