Images Courtesy of Camiros, Ltd. and Borderless Studio
Buena Vida Choice Neighborhood Plan
& International Southmost Choice Nieghborhood Plan
Brownsville, Texas
Client
Housing Authority of the City Brownsville
Description
In true Brownsville fashion, it all started with a fiesta. On September 7, 2016, The Housing Authority of the City of Brownsville (HACB) held an outdoor Choice Neighborhoods (CN) kick-off celebration attended by over 500 local residents. Since then, over 60 meetings, events
and activities have generated incredible excitement and momentum towards positive change in the Buena Vida Choice Neighborhood. Along the way, significant local capacity has been built that will ensure implementation success.
results
The first phase of affordable replacement housing is under construction
Edelstein Park has been revitalized with community programs and events, free public wi-fi, and a little free library
awards
2018 Project Plan Award, American Planning Association, Texas Chapter
Adam Rosa led this project as a Principal at Camiros, Ltd.
Description
In November of 2021, the City of Brownsville, in partnership with the Housing Authority of the City of Brownsville (HACB), was awarded a Planning Grant for the International / Southmost Neighborhood. The grant will help the City and HACB address the clear inequities that exist within the community and build significant positive momentum for revitalization. The application identifies HACB’s Victoria Gardens and Citrus Garden Annex properties as the Target Housing Sites for redevelopment.
The International / Southmost neighborhood was selected for its tremendous opportunities and strategic location less than a mile from downtown Brownsville, and close to major anchor institutions including UTRGV and Texas Southmost College. The neighborhood includes a wide array of assets to build upon including Canales Elementary, Faulk Middle School, Lincoln Park School, Porter Early College High School, Tony Gonzalez Park, community gardens, and popular local restaurants such as Vera’s Backyard Bar-B-Que, Mota’s Tacos, Brownsville Coffee Shop #2, and the International Coffee Shop.
The International/Southmost CN plan kicked off in May 2022 with Community Meeting 1, a celebration that resulted in about 300 residents attending. In this event, the Team was able to collect information on assets, challenges and opportunities in the neighborhood through various activities and surveys. Community Meeting 2 allowed residents to envision a new future for the neighborhood. The first two phases of the planning process have allowed the team to collect valuable information that will drive the next steps moving forward to create an implementable plan.
As a subconsultant to Borderless Studio