Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
>>> Right now this contains a change link fence and is a vacant lot but these students
have a different vision. >>> We started to think about how we can use
the areas that are under utilized for something that would be beneficial to the community.
>>> David Lowenstein and his partners want to lease the area from the city.
>>> We can be there for about four years and when we leave the site is returned back to
its original state. >>> To build something temporary they can't
create impact on the land so the team plans to use old shipping containers to house their
cafe and meeting space and they have designed a glowing original triangle which houses an
office space to sit on top of the containers. The idea sounds farfetched but when the students
to a public meeting the mayor loved it. Now they're meeting with the development groups
and the city attorney to get permits. It seems their vision became real.
>>> They became known as the architecture guys because their projects are interesting.
>>> Jorge taught the students about revitalizing a neighborhood by taking over blighted spaces.
The message hit home. >>> It brings us up to speed with architecture,
creates a pedestrians level of engagement within the streets and it slows pedestrians
down when they're walking around and it creates a safer environment by creating more people
out on the streets within the area. >>> Phillip, another member of the team says
they hope similar projects can happen at other unused redevelopment sites.
>>> We want to see this as a new model for what could happen both in San Diego, potentially
then start to create a train across the state because there are a lot of empty lots that
could be definitely utilized with this concept. >>> Claire Trageser, KPBS news.