Allium’s projects typically fit into one of three themes: place-making, place-based, and quality of life. Often clients come to Allium with an idea of a desired outcome and are seeking clarity on how to get from here to there. The following project snapshots show our work in action.
OUR PROJECTS
PLACE-MAKING
What makes a place memorable, unique, or special? Why do we feel more comfortable and why are we drawn to be in some spaces more than in others? Place-making is intentionally and strategically combining the needs of the community with the highest and best uses for physical spaces. Learn more about a few of Allium’s projects that have transformed spaces.
SOUTHERN MARKET
Southern Market was quickly falling into disrepair. As a 40,000 square foot historic landmark, local economic and community development organizations were eager to see the building returned to its “highest and best use”, while also complimenting the needs of the surround neighborhood. From market research, redevelopment feasibility, and RFP writing, to operational planning and partnership management, Ms. Keeler helped guide the project from idea to the start of construction. Through a unique partnership between Lancaster Equity CDC and Willow Valley Communities, the project was funded and brought to life. Opened in 2021, Southern Market is a multi-ethnic food hall, coworking space, and community center.
MILTON 66
The Phillips 66 station, lovingly known in the Town of Milton, as the Milton 66, had been vacant for well-over a decade. While not a contributing structure to the town’s historic district, the wide lot created a barrier between the historic Commercial Row and the rest of the town. The property needed to be brought to its highest and best use while serving as a physical and metaphoric point of connection for the community. However, with a seasonal economy, the business needed to be multifaceted enough to withstand off season. Today the Milton 66 Beer Garden offers great local craft beers and seasonal plants. The space frequently hosts local events and offers another anchor that is enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.
THE JONES HOUSE
The Jones House was months away from collapse. The once prominent Greek Revival had suffered years of neglect, including a decades long leak in the roof. The house is important to the surrounding community as it is prominently featured on its small town’s main thoroughfare and contains woodwork by Thomas Day. To save the structure, Allium utilized state and federal historic tax credit programs and oversaw a team of contractors. As a tax credit project, the end result needed to be a business and also needed to hold true to the function and character of the structure. Today, the Jones House operates as an AirBNB. The project was a recipient of Preservation North Carolina’s 2022 Gertrude S. Carraway Award of Merit.
In a world where endless global connections are possible, local solutions still matter. Place-based initiatives are created to address the complex needs of a specific geographical place through leveraging resources and developing creative partnerships.
PLACE-BASED
CULTIVATE LANCASTER
Support for local small businesses is strong in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, however organizations who work with small businesses were seeking better ways to collaborate. In 2017, Ms. Keeler mapped resources available to Lancaster entrepreneurs and identified ways that service providers could better collaborate and communicate. In 2022, Allium was asked to help the initiative expand and grow through strategic planning. Today, Cultivate is preparing to hire staff and expand its brand, services, and reach to all of Lancaster County.
BERKS STARTUP ECOSYSTEM
Organizations who work with small businesses are ready to collaborate in Berks County. However, a platform and strategy for collaboration is not yet activated. Berks Alliance and the Greater Reading Chamber Alliance partnered with ten other organizations and engaged Allium to map the Berks County startup ecosystem. The ecosystem mapping exercise is now being used to support a new strategic plan and initiative that will guide the collaboration and support a more robust small business startup environment in Berks County.
QUALITY OF LIFE
What are the big and small ways that a community or group of people’s quality of life can be improved? Listening and learning from set populations is the foundation for identifying achievable steps to improving quality of life. Learn more about Allium’s projects that have worked to increase the quality of life within specific communities.
LANDIS QUALITY LIVING
Landis Communities is looking to the future. What are the needs and desires of the next generation of retirees? Landis engaged Allium to delve into this question and provide them with critical and localized feedback on how the answers to this question shape the physical development of future continuous care retirement communities.
PENN MEDICINE
Local healthcare professionals want to ensure the best care for local populations, but sometimes there are gaps in services and in perceptions. Penn Medicine wants to close those gaps and improve healthcare outcomes for residents in Lancaster County by partnering with community organizations to understand the community’s health needs. Penn Medicine engaged Allium to support this work through qualitative data collection and analysis.