A seven-step process to create a revitalization plan for the Covington West 30’s neighborhood was unveiled to stakeholders, including residents, business owners and community leaders, at three meetings held Saturday morning at neighborhood churches.

The key component to the success of the plan is community involvement, said Phil Walker, head of the Walker Collaborative and facilitator of the plan’s development.

The first step is community organizing and leadership development. The second step is research and develop that will include information about he area. Housing, income, socio-economic data, demographics of residents, types of businesses and other technical data will be collected and analyzed. The third step will include a vision and public relation campaign. Focus groups, interviews with residents and business owners, landlords and others impacted by the neighborhood will be conducted. A charette, or preliminary plan created by small groups of stakeholders will comprise the fourth step. A draft plan will then be created using all the information compiled thus far. Strategies for problems including economic development, public safety and social programs for the area will be developed. The sixth step is presentation and revision of the draft proposal.

The seventh step will be presentation and a “quick victory” project to raise awareness and momentum for the plan’s implementation.

The entire process will take about eight months. Many residents said that is too long. Walker said some of the problems in the neighborhood would not be a “quick fix”. “Problems did not occur overnight and will not be fixed overnight. It will take hard work and dedication to see the process through,” he said.

What will it take to get the process rolling? Someone knocking on doors, getting opinions from people who possibly can’t attend meetings, offered one participant.

In the discussion period on Saturday, one main concern voiced by those present is the lack of involvement by the community. Some of the residents said that more must be done to educate and notify people who live in the West 30s of what is about to happen and how they can get involved.

Stakeholders are important because they provide leadership by symbolizing the direction of the project. Stakeholder participation is important to add legitimacy to a project by making believers of doubters and removing old barriers to new ideas.

Stakeholders provide a sense of ownership with a desire to see success. They also have a commitment to success. Most importantly, stakeholders are cheerleaders to keep the process rolling.

Rod Downey, a certified master gardener, has already offered his services to help with landscaping projects in the area. A volunteer trained by the LSU AG Center, Downey said he would be willing to assist with education courses on gardens and landscaping, help guide the beautification efforts and will even help residents fulfill their plans. The Northshore Community Foundation and a steering committee to conduct the revitalization planning hired Walker and Ralph Moore, both consultants with the Walker Collaborative. NCF awarded a grant for the plan that will serve as a “road map” to revitalizing the area.

Sponsors of the project include Covington City Planner Nahketah Bagby and the Northshore Community Foundation Community Development Director Frank Saxton.