Community Feedback Sessions
As we look to the opportunities on Hazelwood Green, we know that nothing matters more than the voice of the community in shaping the future of Hazelwood. Over the course of 2025, Center of Life will host three community engagement sessions to provide project updates and to invite community members to share their thoughts, questions, concerns, needs, and visions for our new community building.
Session 1
January 15, 2025
Community Feedback Session 1: Summary
Community members want the community hub to be a shared space where various local partners collaborate closely. The vision for the hub is a safe welcoming place where community members can seek assistance, improve their circumstances, take classes, and build skills. The hub is seen as a place to strengthen the community, meet local needs, and serve as a model for other underserved areas.
Community members envision:
An ADA-accessible and inclusive hub
Space that supports local businesses and vendors through rentals
A central point for sharing opportunities at Hazelwood Green, helping bridge the existing divide
Youth development prioritized through integration of the Four Pillars
Access to healthy living resources such as nutrition education, fitness facilities, and mental health support
Reliable and easy transportation for children to and from the hub
Watch Session 1
Session 2
April 23, 2025
Community Feedback Session 2: Summary
What do people need regarding access to education?
- Access to local college-level courses
- Assistance with college prep and applications
- Financial assistance and scholarship opportunities
What barriers prevent people from receiving education?
- Cost and affordability
- Lack of childcare
- Limited transportation
- Short and long-term disabilities
Participants identified several areas of interest for resources critical to their wellbeing and growth.
Health concerns were often mentioned as barriers to both education and career advancement. In addition to an ADA compliant building, participants emphasized the need for the following:
Out of all the responses from community members regarding Arts resources, the following activities received the greatest interest:
Thoughts From Our Students & Staff
Session 3
September 24, 2025
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Groundbreaking for the Community Hub building is projected for 2026 and will be completed 18 months from groundbreaking.
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The majority of the ground floor spaces will be open to the public, with the exception of programmatic, tenant, and rented spaces.
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Center of Life will work with the community and community groups to schedule equitable use of the building.
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There will be a point person who handles coordination of all interested parties in collaborating with the building.
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The space is located within walking distance for Hazelwood Residents and is also accessible via the bus line.
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The entire building will be fully ADA compliant with accessible features.
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We will be consulting with other organizations about best practices for the safety and security of our building. Outdoor spaces will be well lit and we will have a security team on the premises.
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There will be a performance space outdoors and a playground.
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There will be a booking/application process for approval of use of all spaces open to the community, such as the performance spaces.
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There will be a sliding scale of pricing options for use of spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions regarding amenities such as the Business Incubator, the Gym/Fitness Center, and the Performance Spaces are currently in development with our team of architects, and will be answered in the near future.
Visit our Hazelwood Green Page for other information about this project.