A creative placemaking journey:
Revitalizing Rodney Street
Experience the resurgence of Rodney Street in Helena, Montana, through a service design lens—celebrating creativity, community collaboration, and equitable participation in revitalizing this unique neighborhood.
Client: The Myrna Loy
A performing arts and cultural center in Helena, Montana.
Sector: Public, Nonprofit, Government
Project Type: Consulting
Collaborators: Elena Johnson, Amanda Reese (PT)
Special thanks to NEA OurTown mentor, Sarah Allan.
Partners: Various local artists, Rodney Street community, City of Helena Parks, Recreation, & Public Lands Department, the Pocha family, and Lewis & Clark County staff.
Duration: 3 years
Services:
Qualitative research
Prototyping & testing
Workshop facilitation
Content design & strategy
Project management
This project was fueled by generous funding from The National Endowment for the Arts’ Our Town grant and AARP Community Challenge.
Overview
The Rodney Street neighborhood in Helena, Montana, has resisted urban renewal since the 1970s, preserving its unique character despite revitalization challenges.
An unpolished gem with a lively, rugged character, Rodney Street is a historic district near downtown and beloved trails. In the last few years, it has undergone significant changes, including street and sidewalk reconstruction and new lamp posts, amid the COVID-19 pandemic and population growth.
Supported by an Our Town grant from the National Endowment for the Arts and facilitated through The Myrna Loy, "Rodney Street Is..." was a grassroots project uniting artists, businesses, and neighbors to celebrate neighborhood identity and create more livable, walkable spaces.
As a designer-in-residence, my partners and I recognized this as a pivotal moment to engage with community members and uplift their experiences, values, and visions.
Outcome
The "Rodney Street Is..." project fostered a strong sense of community, implemented innovative solutions, enhanced neighborhood aesthetics with upgraded infrastructure and public art, and ensured a more inclusive vision by engaging residents of all ages.
A view of Rodney Street commercial district and neighborhood in Helena, Montana. Photo by Thom Bridge of the Helena Independent Record.
Process
Integrating human-centered service design approaches, I facilitated and prioritized equitable participation and community-led initiatives. My team and I established guiding principles emphasizing celebration, connection, uplift, protection, investment, and honoring multigenerational histories and futures. Despite navigating the challenges of COVID-19, the project thrived alongside the city's $2.6 million infrastructure improvements.
Phases
We adapted four themes from a 2019 city “blight report” to serve as foundational phase goals.
Phase I: Neighborhood Identity
Launching the project with a hand-delivered community survey and interactive installation to connect with over 150 residents' lives, values, and needs.
Activities: Data collection, community survey, participatory installation.
Outcomes: Identified neighborhood treasures, needs, desires, and pain points.
Phase II: Stimulate Vibrancy with Mix of Uses
Prototyping new forms of social engagement while maintaining the neighborhood's character.
Activities: Participatory design workshops, selection of demonstration projects, socially-distanced public events.
Outcomes: Developed community-driven public spaces and interactive prototypes.
Phase III: Activate Multigenerational Connections
Focusing on in-person street interactions and exploring “belonging” through workshops and public events.
Activities: Multigenerational workshops, public art installations, neighborhood "Curious Walks," block parties.
Outcomes: Strengthened community bonds, installed public art and functional structures.
Phase IV: Reinvigorate Underutilized Properties
Reflecting on the neighborhood’s identity and future, installing permanent public art and seating, and improving accessibility.
Activities: Permanent infrastructure installations, continuous community engagement.
Outcomes: Enhanced public spaces, ongoing community involvement.
Impact and Synthesis
This nearly three years project fostered a strong sense of belonging and ownership among residents, adapted to unforeseen circumstances with innovative solutions, and significantly enhanced neighborhood aesthetics and functionality through upgraded infrastructure and public art. By engaging all age groups, it ensured diverse perspectives and a more inclusive community vision.
General responses have included overwhelming feelings of joy and neighborhood gratitude. We’ve also helped renew relationships with local government, downtown Helena, and cross-city collaboration.
Community Survey: Gathered comprehensive feedback from over 150 people via email, phone, and physical drop-off.
Creative Installations: Installed a parklet, bench prototypes, and open-air seating.
Workshops and Events: Facilitated three virtual workshops, one in-person workshop on “Building Belonging,” one open house, and two “Curious Walks.” Organized two block parties.
Grant and Development: Secured a $28k AARP grant for eight ADA-compliant custom art benches with four artists.
Gathering Space: Developed a gathering space at Leo Pocha Park with Helena Parks & Recreation, The Helena Indian Alliance, and neighbors. Elevated public planning processes with a distinct proposal of intention and collaboration.
This experimental work serves as a foundation for continued growth with neighborhood community members—especially in the face of increasing population, growing inequities, and the risk of gentrification.
This creative placemaking journey on Rodney Street demonstrates the power of collaborative efforts in revitalizing and celebrating a community’s unique identity.
Snapshots of community engagement in Rodney Street: From delivering surveys in sub-zero temperatures and brainstorming sessions to virtual workshops, public gatherings, facilitating proposals, and creative activities, these images capture the vibrant collaboration that shaped the neighborhood's revitalization.
Signs dot the neighborhood with access to an interactive walking map, an initiative led by Amanda Reese.
Onwards…
Since the project's conclusion, “Rodney Street Is…” has evolved into RAD: Rodney Arts District, celebrating the neighborhood’s next chapter.
With over 30 artworks now featured, the impact of this initiative has extended to other events and initiatives across Helena, showcasing the power of creativity to transform a quiet town into a vibrant community. Stay updated with RAD happenings via Facebook and Instagram!
Media & Press
Helena Independent Record — Medicine-wheel-inspired sculpture dedicated in Pocha Park
KTVH — Helena's Rodney Street project continues; businesses see impact
The Myrna Loy — How art changes a neighborhood
The Myrna Loy — Rockin' on Rodney
Montana Arts Council — State of the Arts feature “Rodney Street IS…” (page 5)
Medium — Walking The Neighborhood
Helena Independent Record — Myrna Loy artist residency plans to bring art to community planning