Authenticity

The character and authenticity of a neighborhood evolve over generations and are the unique byproduct of a people and their history. Sometimes subtle, the ties that define a neighborhood must be carefully preserved and celebrated. More than a collection of buildings and transit spaces, successful neighborhoods are a living organism, their identity drawn from the character of its people and their families, businesses, and cultural activities. The result is an eclectic mix of old and new, large and small, formal and casual that, if properly nurtured, creates an urban experience unique and satisfying. It is this confluence of differences and the possibility for the next new thing that gives the urban experience such value to its residents and creates and attraction to visitors. The Jackson Street District Plan understands the need for this variety of experiences.

All cities go through cycles of growth, with ongoing expansion and contraction, recession and change. Great urban neighborhoods preserve the best contributions of each generation. Great cities serve as open marketplaces of ideas, evolving to encompass a unique mix of building types, architectural styles, and business and residential spaces. The Jackson Street Master Plan recognizes this richness and vitality, which stems from the activity contained within its concentrated urban grid. The tension and interplay between the old and new, which creates the possibility for new encounters, is what makes the urban experience vital and rewarding.