01/24/2005

Updates of the Journalism and West Memphis SEED (Students Engaged in Economic Development) Projects

January 24, 2005

TO: UAEDI Colleagues
FROM: Otto Loewer, Director
RE: Updates of the Journalism and West Memphis SEED (Students Engaged in Economic Development) Projects

The following is an update of two SEED projects that were active during the fall semester, 2004.
As background, the UAEDI SEED program is grounded in connecting the needs of University of Arkansas faculty with the needs of communities, often in the form of a student project. The two SEED projects described below represent different approaches to linking higher education to Arkansas communities. The implications of a SEED project rarely end with the end of a semester. Rather, the exciting thing is that these projects take directions not anticipated early on, often involving more and more people and having greater and greater impact. Thus, you can expect to hear more about both of these projects later on. In addition, UAEDI's intention is to greatly multiply the number of SEED projects over the next year, especially in those communities where we are activly promoting regional partnerships.

The SEED West Memphis Project:

The West Memphis Project arose from a UAEDI web site visitor, Janine Earney from the Crittenden Arts Council, contacted Landscape Architecture professor Karen Rollet-Crocker. The Arts Council and the West Memphis Chamber of Commerce wanted to enhance the visual appeal of the entrance to West Memphis by improving the Missouri Street access from I-40 and I-55, with particular emphasis on the bridge.

John Crone and Karen Rollet-Crocker from Landscape Architecture and Carolyne Garcia from UAEDI went to West Memphis to meet with representatives from the City, the Chamber of Commerce, the Arts Council, and other interested individuals, including alumni from the School or Architecture. Crone decided that this would be an ideal project for his second-year students. He contacted Jim Gattis, professor of civil engineering, who had a student interested in the project and the team also included an art student.

After exploring case studies from other states as part of their research, the student team and participating faculty went to West Memphis to conduct a visual site analysis. This was a critical step, since it is important to understand the context of the bridge within the transportation system. They identified several design issues and opportunities presented by the site, along with three basic strategies for dealing with the bridge and area immediately surrounding it: landscape enhancement, including buffering or screening the bridge to reduce its visual impact; visual diversion through installing other things to look at instead of the bridge; and visual enhancement of the bridge itself, including repainting, etc. so it becomes an asset rather than a liability.

The civil engineering student researched the history and current issues associated with the highway department regulations regarding, among other things, planting around the intersection. Each of the eight landscape architecture students developed two alternative plans for dealing with the intersection incorporating two or more of the strategies. The plans were wide ranging, from planting native trees as a screen to creating a roundabout for a safer, more visually interesting approach.

The students presented their work to representatives from West Memphis in December. To help determine the direction of further work, in February the projects will be presented to the citizens of West Memphis, who will have an opportunity to talk with the students and provide input on their favorite approaches.

The SEED Journalism Project:

The Journalism Project began in Spring 2004, as a UAEDI Discussion Group with representatives from Wynne High School, the Silas Hunt Community Development Corp. in Texarkana, the Cornerstone Economic Development Corp. in Crossett, Haas Hall Charter School in Farmington, the University of Arkansas Department of Journalism and UAEDI. The group agreed that journalism would be a good way to get young people involved in the economic development activities going on in their communities. However, since situations varied widely, the program would work with public schools, economic development groups, and community development groups, as appropriate.

The Journalism Project brings together high-school age students from around Arkansas to explore and write about economic development issues and projects in their hometowns. It is lead by Gerald Jordan, professor of journalism, and Karen Clark, co-director of the Quality Writing Center. Each group was also asked to solicit community mentors who would be a daily resource for the students participating.

During the Fall 2004 semester, Carolyne Garcia met with each of the interested groups and assessed the needs of that group and how the Journalism Project could be most useful. Each group has a very different range of needs and interests. Through discussions with Dr. Jordan, it was determined that early in the Spring 2005 semester he will deliver a brief workshop. Intended for both the students and the community mentors, workshop will use distance education for delivery, so that the Project participants will not need to travel a great distance. This will serve to “get everyone on the same page” in terms of writing styles, schedules, etc.

Following the workshop, participants will be asked to go into their community and find out what is going on and write about it. Student articles will be submitted to Professor Jordan and will be posted on the UAEDI web site.

Updates of the Journalism and West Memphis SEED (Students Engaged in Economic Development) Projects