606 West Gateway

This 4.5-acre site is monumental due to its location at the west terminus of the 606, an elevated park and trail system. The project is rooted in an investigation of the community, the environment, community stakeholders, and historical significance. JGMA is exploring the sense of place for individuals who will be inhabiting the housing, visiting the park space, and utilizing other programmatic elements of this gateway site. The focus will be to create a space that represents inclusivity, with the goal to move away from the surrounding area's existing segregation. These two subjects generate a discourse that are addressed through community engagement sessions. JGMA’s vision for this project is to overlook preconceptions of what any socioeconomic or demographic group might want and diminish barriers to enrich the surrounding communities while offering a welcoming space. There are distinct scenarios that encompass this project site. One is the idea of re-purposing an abandoned building by examining if there is an opportunity to give this structure new life. In two parallel investigations, JGMA is looking at the potential to reuse or to take a tabula rasa approach. This cohesive approach will allow the project exploration to be socially responsible, environmentally and contextually sensitive, cost effective, and something that the entire community will be proud of for generations to come.