USM Muskie Students Presented Semester-Long Projects to FWC Board Members

The close of the Fall ‘19 semester brought students in the Sustainable Development Workshop at USM’s Muskie School of Public Service and board members from Friends of Woodfords Corner back together for a final presentation. The final presentation served as a learning opportunity for students to gain fieldwork experience and practicum. For FWC board members, the presentation offered detailed analysis of Woodfords Corner and recommendations for next steps. Students presented on a wide array of issues facing Woodfords Corner, ranging from economic development, community building, and fiscal planning. 

The results of student led business needs, lighting, and parking surveys were reported first. Did you know that over half of businesses surveyed in Woodfords Corner chose the neighborhood because of its central location or affordable real estate prices? Or that there are approximately 350 on-street parking spaces within one-half miles of the Corner? Analysis of these surveys helped pave a direction for the class to offer actionable steps that FWC could employ to achieve their goals of community engagement, purposeful design, and hyper-local economic vitality. Final recommendations included an interactive online parking map (coming to the FWC website soon), lighting improvements to bolster safety and walkability, grant applications for facade improvement and community green spaces, opportunities for additional public art installations, potential revenue streams for Woodfords Corner and FWC, and a branding and marking toolkit to offer local businesses. Many of these recommendations will be pursued in the coming months. Although the final presentation was a culmination of students’ work, the partnership between FWC and USM is still ongoing, with plans for future collaboration in the works. Stayed tuned for the next exciting update. 

Read their suggestions in their final report here.