FACT SHEET                               
EXAMPLES OF HOW THE DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
            NATIONAL STREET RENEWAL PARTNERSHIP INITIAIVE
OF 2009 WILL BENEFIT AMERICAN DISTRESSED COMMUNITIES.

This fact sheet briefly describes how distressed communities throughout the nation can benefit from the collective efforts of people and communities inspired to work together in renewing streets named in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by designating them as renewal community improvement districts (RCID). The Initiative seeks to address root causes to problems that impact social, economic and environmental factors fundamental to improving the quality of life and living environment of local residents. The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Street Partnership Initiative (NSPI) seeks to become the mechanism whereby special government involvement can be used to fund a “National Neighborhood Partnership” that creates regional intermediaries organizations to provide direct community economic development planning, administration, technical assistance, and financial support to renew communities at the grassroots level. United Vision Incorporated will continue to sphere head identifying distressed veins (streets and or corridors) of poverty named after Dr. King, working with local cities through a competitive process to create “theme-based” redevelopment plans based on their local circumstances. Each plan will design its own unique collaborative strategy and tactics for renewing and improving the community’s well-being by leveraging existing community assets in an effort to revitalize and sustain bordering neighborhoods.

The Role of United Vision Incorporated in St. Louis and Nationally
Track and investigate community problems and community redevelopment needs. UVI will gather and analyze data on the community’s revitalization needs along the various MLK corridors to determine risks and problems. This information will drive specific programs and activities designed to make eligible that city’s designation as a Renewal Community Improvement District (RCID). Each RCID will become part of a National MLK Street Strategy and local Neighborhood Working Group that is will create policies and best practices for RCID through a political, social and economic community pact.

Prepare for and respond to anticipatory management issues. As a result of extensive and ongoing preparation, UVI’s collaboration efforts will be able to respond quickly and effectively to and address emerging issues of residents, property owners and managers and community partners regarding program participation, resources, events, and timetables. Each intermediary organization will be intensively trained to respond to increase planning, administration, technical and financial assistance as a regional-point – of – contact from local, state, and federal sources. They will coordinate the delivery of plans, supplies, and provisions to all key partners, stakeholders, and residents. They will also keep the public informed and serve as the network hub for community renewal projects, developers, job training, employment opportunities, and other district facts.

Lead efforts to mobilize communities around important renewal issues. With the efforts of local, state, and Federal governments, businesses, schools, community leaders and the media, UVI will be able to effectively spearhead locally organized “Smart Growth Community Development” that promote the application of these principles in each project. These principles will also galvanize the community to become more involved in tackling problems like crime, drugs, lack of adequate housing, environmental issues like brownfields, community safety, health care needs and others. UVI will also educate and encourage people to improve their quality of life through community forums i.e. public workshops, seminars, advertising and public service announcements.
Link people to community services. UVI will connect residents with a broad range of community services, including health screening, self-sufficiency training, jobs, and other support services, either in the community or as close to the community as possible. UVI also advocates the development of needed programs and services in undeserved populations and will continuously monitor the quality and accessibility of these services.

Achieve excellence in sustaining community revitalization practices through a trained workforce, evaluation, and evidence-based programs. UVI will recruit and develop skill development programs for workers living in the RCID by providing core construction, building maintenance, and property management competencies. UVI will ensure that investors and developers will have a sufficient workforce of local residents with updated knowledge and skills through continuing education, training and leadership development activities. UVI will regularly evaluate the effectiveness of all programs and activities using evidence-based standards and strive to adapt successful interventions from best practices of other communities.