CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
& FACILITATION
RELATED CASE STUDIES
We align stakeholders to shape a common vision. We have a knack for engaging diverse stakeholders to unlock the powerful potential in the place they call home. It’s about validating what they feel passionate about and earning their trust that this vision will be implemented. After all, vision is 10% inspiration, 90% about collaborating toward that goal.
MASTER
PLANNING
RELATED CASE STUDIES
We make all aspects of place cohere. Too often, a city’s multiple functions seem like many moving parts working independently. Where others see chaos, however, we see huge opportunity. By employing strategic positioning and tactics integrating affordable housing, access to basic goods and services, job creation, greenspace connectivity, and green building practices, we help communities capitalize on these opportunities.
STRATEGIC
PLANNING
RELATED CASE STUDIES
We enable communities to differentiate themselves. Over the next generation, 60 million Americans will move to urban places offering sustainable, mixed-use, mixed-income, work/live/play opportunities. There will be winners and losers, depending on how well a city adjusts to rapidly-changing market conditions. We have decades of experience working with communities to position themselves to plan and execute unique quality-of-life strategies.
COMMUNITY
PROGRAMS & POLICIES
RELATED CASE STUDIES
We provide a holistic approach to community development. Successful cities create conditions for neighborhood transformation well beyond physical development. They provide social, recreational and cultural opportunities. They promote health and economic well-being. They create a sense of place and nurture a shared identity for residents. We help communities establish programs and policies to make positive and sustainable changes.
RESOURCE
DEVELOPMENT
RELATED CASE STUDIES
Good ideas compete with others; great ideas get funded. How often is community visioning disrupted by doubts over funding? Cutting-edge strategies that differentiate a community attract all types of financing: revolving funds that retain money in the community, tailor-made public-private partnerships, corporate grant programs yearning to co-brand with unique, place-making stories. We link strategy development to innovative funding.
GREEN BUILDING
PRACTICES
RELATED CASE STUDIES
We are thought and practice leaders for green development.We pioneered LEED work across virtually all product types (schools, offices, retail, multifamily housing, hotels). We have literally written the book on green development as a value-enhancing activity. We have developed municipal policies to promote green construction and ordinances to facilitate sustainable practices.
MARKETING
& COMMUNICATION
RELATED CASE STUDIES
We communicate a community’s distinctiveness. Our approach is simple: Education, education, education. We have been engaged by cities to do everything from creating unique websites to developing promotional collateral to writing and producing videos. We deliver a robust, artful set of tools to build community support, advance revitalization and sustainability efforts, and differentiate a community from all others.
DOCUMENTATION
RELATED CASE STUDIES
WE TELL THE STORY SO OTHERS CAN REPLICATE. After extensive work on a project, clients often recognize the need to document the steps taken from visioning through master planning, financing, and physical and program development. As published authors, the principals at Melaver & Associates are adept at creating a comprehensive handbook to guide future civic leaders on how best to continue successful implementation.
