Show Your Southside Pride

Community Input Sought on Draft Southside Action Plan

May 4, 2022

“Action” – this word sums up much of the feedback shared by the Southside community on the Southside Action Plan survey. Action is what has gotten the Southside Action Plan to this point and what is needed to see it to the next stage. Following a year of gathering community input and area data, the draft Southside Action Plan is ready for community review.

It highlights and organizes the top priorities voiced by area residents and stakeholders. It also provides possible paths forward. The majority of survey responses fell into three main categories: Beautification, Investment and Engaged & Activated Citizens.

The engagement process used many methods to meet and connect with community members in places that were familiar to them, including a drive-through event at Nims Middle School, outreach at the Southside Farmers Market and a storefront display in the Town South Shopping Center. This approach provided valuable input from a wide variety of people. Of the more than 2,000 interactions, conversations most frequent touched on residents’ pride in the Southside’s people and their strong connection to one another.

To build momentum, the draft plan identifies how smaller-scale, timely, community-involved projects should take place to complement larger investments that are happening. Survey results underscored citizen participation as a primary factor to bring positive change to the Southside.

The draft plan also notes the need for collaboration among all stakeholders – be they residents, local government, civic organizations or private industry. This approach could provide immediate and long-term change that supports vibrant neighborhoods, community resiliency, Southside pride and more.

Additionally, as partners invest in the Southside, the draft plan notes the importance of showcasing these efforts. By informing the community and documenting action, perceptions can begin to shift.

The Southside Action Plan needs you to take action today. Review and provide feedback on the draft plan, so it can be refined and the community’s vision met. Be part of the Southside’s future. Get up. Get out. Get heard. Visit Talgov.com/Southside.