The Bottom-Up Revolution is... Architects and Planners in Pursuit of a Stronger Town

Something you might not know about Strong Towns is that we’ve been a remote work team for years. That meant we were really well-prepared for working from home during the pandemic because that’s just the norm here, but it also means we’re used to going months without seeing our colleagues or Strong Towns members or our audience generally.

So it’s extra special—even during nonpandemic times—when we do get to attend a Strong Towns event and meet a Strong Towns member. Bottom-Up Revolution host, Rachel Quednau, has fond memories of one such occasion about 5 years ago when she got to travel to Rockford, IL to meet two Strong Towns members—Jennifer and Michael Smith—and join Chuck Marohn for a Strong Towns presentation and walking tour around the city.

Michael and Rachel reconnected recently and it turns out he had some stories and updates to share. He joins this episode of The Bottom-Up Revolution podcast along with his colleague, architect Aaron Holverson. Together they work at Studio GWA, a planning and architecture firm based in Rockford.  In this conversation, we discuss a historic revitalization project in a core neighborhood of Rockford, the challenges that come with a project like this, and also why the street and surrounding blocks matter to the success of a place like this. It’s a great lesson in what it takes to bring an old building back to life—certainly not a piece of cake—but also a lesson in what can happen when a community has a place to feel proud of.

Additional Show Notes

  • Studio GWA website

  • Join us for our upcoming “Late Night with Strong Towns” event on April 8! If you’re a Strong Towns member, you should already have received your invite via email. If you’re not a member, we’d love to have you join the movement today, then you’ll receive your invite. (If you’re a member and haven’t seen your invite yet, email alexa@strongtowns.org and she’ll help you out.)

  • Send us your own voicemail about the small (or big) thing you’re doing to make your town stronger. Just record a voice memo on your phone and email it to rachel@strongtowns.org.

  • Subscribe to The Bottom-Up Revolution on iTunes, Google Podcasts, Podbean, or via RSS.

  • Support this show and our many other resources for helping your town grow stronger by becoming a member today.

Podcast, Top StoryStrong TownsThe Bottom-Up Revolution, community development, historic preservation, architecture, taking action, west virginia, new york, illinois