About the project

In the fall 2000 semester, Dr. Russell Smith’s community organizing class partnered with the association and area residents in completing several projects, including: a video and brochure about the neighborhood; an assessment of options for dealing with a small brownfield area, and a more detailed look at vacant lots controlled by absentee owners. The brownfield work contributed to the current Orchard Hill plan to develop a green space and orchard in a former railroad right-of-way area later used as a dumping site for excavation and demolition materials. Development of the orchard and green space will allow the Orchard Hill neighborhood to once again claim an orchard within its boundaries.