September 17

Placemaker Lab: Community Seminars

Building Block by Block: Empowering Local Developers

Bernice Radle and Monte Anderson, Neighborhood Evolution

Time
5:30pm - 7:30pm

Location
UC Merced on Main, 1635 M St, Merced

Thriving neighborhoods don’t happen by accident—they grow from their history, culture, and the people who call them home. This workshop explores how incremental, context-sensitive development can strengthen the social and economic fabric of a community while honoring its identity.

Participants will learn how small-scale, locally driven projects can create lasting value without displacing character or community. Through practical tools and real-world examples, the session highlights strategies for empowering residents, supporting local entrepreneurs and developers, and aligning reinvestment with neighborhood history and vision.