The rich context and complex history of our community cannot be captured in a paragraph or on a page, but at its heart, our neighborhood has been shaped by a diverse community contrasted with discriminatory and destructive urban renewal policies, past public participation processes that have excluded marginalized groups, and most recently efforts to bring development in the form of new restaurants, storefronts, and entertainment venues. While this development has generated opportunities, it has also generated questions and concerns. We cannot foster an engagement process without recognizing the rapid changes - and challenges - that are facing our community.

In particular, in conversations with partner organizations we've heard that our youth are eager to have more meaningful ways to be involved in their community. We believe this initiative may present an opportunity for youth to learn and connect while planting seeds for them to grow into civic leaders and community creators.

Ultimately, it is with the understanding that we are building on our dynamic past for a more promising future that we will undertake these engagement efforts and invite our community to participate, particularly our neighbors of traditionally marginalized groups. It will not be perfect, it will not be easy, but it will be with a recognition that every voice has value and with an appreciation of the wide range of viewpoints that are informed by diverse lived experiences. By engaging with empathy and connecting across differences, we hope to build a community center that is reflective of both our unique characteristics and our shared humanity.