How To Revitalize A 50-year Old Public Housing Project

Archer Courts, a dilapidated, 50-year-old public housing project, is transformed into a 'stunning community asset' that attracts private investment.

1 minute read

January 2, 2003, 7:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen

"The one thing you're probably not going to do is add an elegant glass curtain wall and transform it into a stunning community asset that attracts private development and wins prestigious architectural prizes all without displacing a single tenant... The most dramatic change was converting tiers of open corridors, wrapped in chain link fencing and reminiscent of cell blocks with northern exposures, with a graceful glass curtain wall. Katrina Herring, 31, president of the Archer Courts Tenants Association, said, "'Nobody thought the idea of putting glass over the sides of the buildings would really work, but it changed everything. You couldn't help but see a rosier day.'"

Thanks to Chris Steins

FULL STORY: Out of the Ashes, Cinderella

Thursday, January 2, 2003 in The New York Times

Community / Economic Development New York

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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