THE SEAPORT, A PLACE IN THE MAKING: TALKS + CHARRETTE

Despite the uncertain future of the South Street Seaport, one thing is sure: it’s a place of rooted culture, rich histories and meaning to New York. Its federal-style brick buildings and historical boats, rich culinary and waterfront culture, and the long presence of the arts community – these are few of the assets worth celebrating if we want to imagine the future of the Seaport together. How can we use design to make these cultural gems more visible and create a more vibrant place in Lower Manhattan? Designers can’t do it alone, we need the wisdom of the diverse community of residents, business owners, day workers and visitors, designers and more to join us in what promises to be an open, inspiring dialog to imagine the next Seaport.

PROGRAM
PLEASE COME AS EARLY AS 1:30PM FOR CHECK-IN AND SEATING

PART 1 : TALK

(2:00-2:10 PM) Welcome and Introduction by Laetitia Wolff, Program Director, AIGA/NY
(2:10-3:00PM) Susan Silberberg, a critically acclaimed expert on Placemaking. See full bio below.
(3:00-3:15 PM): Q+A

Brief coffee break

PART 2: COMMUNITY CHARRETTE

(3:30-3:40 PM) Sara Williams (Fresh Salt, Seaport) on the “Out To See” festival
(3:40-4:00PM) Design/Relief’s “Catch & Release” team on Past / Present / Future of project
(4:00-5:00 PM) Community Workshop
Come participate in an interactive, fun and imaginative exercise to help the Seaport community collectively identify the hidden cultural gems and untold stories and raise their visibility for all to see and enjoy.

SUSAN SILBERBERG
An accomplished city planner, urban designer, architect, author and educator, Susan Silberberg is Lecturer in the Department of Urban Studies and Planning at MIT and the Founder and Managing Director of CivicMoxie, LLC, a planning, urban design, real estate development advisory group. Susan is lead author of Places in the Making: How placemaking builds places and communities, the 2013 MIT white paper on the current state of placemaking. Susan has led two Boston waterfront planning efforts, created master plans for new arts districts, and worked with community development corporations. As Associate Director of the MetLife Innovative Space Awards, she worked with over hundred arts and cultural organizations nationwide to identify best practices for affordable artist space development and community engagement. She has also served as the Associate Director of the Northeast Mayors’ Institute on City Design. Susan is currently leading the placemaking effort in Santurce, Puerto Rico for the Foundation for Puerto Rico.

SARA WILLIAMS
Sara Williams is Brooklyn based artist and business owner, originally from Northampton, MA. She began working at the Mercury Lounge and Bowery ballroom in 1998, during which time she completed her MFA from Maine College of Art. After a six year run, Sara left the award winning venues to open her own bar and cafe, Fresh Salt. In 2013, Sara opened The Saint Catherine in Prospect Heights/Crown Heights, Brooklyn, her second venture. She lives in Fort Greene and works in her nearby studio.

DESIGN/RELIEF CATCH&RELEASE TEAM
Yeju Choi of NowHere Office (designer), with Francesca Birks and Josh Treuhaft of ARUP (community engagement strategists), and Cristian Fleming and Stephanie Lukito of The Public Society (phase 1 storytellers).

Design/Relief is supported by Artplace