Fiscal Note
No fiscal impact.
Title
Awarding the 16th Annual Jeffrey Clay Erlanger Civility in Public Discourse Award to Alexis London
Body
WHEREAS, the Madison Common Council created the Jeffrey Clay Erlanger Civility in Public Discourse Award in memory of Jeffrey Erlanger's great contributions to the City of Madison; and
WHEREAS, the Jeffrey Clay Erlanger Civility in Public Discourse Award Committee has selected Alexis London, an individual who exemplifies the values that are fundamental to this award and were so admirably demonstrated by Jeff Erlanger during his lifetime, as recipient of the 2022 award; and
WHEREAS, Alexis has worked at the Bayview Foundation since 2015 and as its Executive Director since 2016. She is leading the redevelopment of the Bayview Foundation’s affordable housing micro-neighborhood; and
WHEREAS, in preparation for the redevelopment, Alexis guided the use of community art, place making and cultural programming to elevate the voices of residents of all ages, increase their connection to one another, strengthen their role in neighborhood stewardship and demonstrate the importance of co-creating social change; and
WHEREAS, in shaping the actual redevelopment plan, Alexis le Bayview’s design justice process which was informed by years of discourse between staff, residents, architects and designers and included meetings in three languages. With those efforts, added charrettes, and individual resident interviews, she reached over 70% of Bayview’s residents. The final plans came to truly reflect the hopes dreams and fears of the people of Bayview; and
WHEREAS, while focusing on residents’ needs and wishes, she also included sustainability goals. The resulting plan will use an estimated one quarter of the energy that other developments demand and residents’ utility bills will be dramatically reduced for years. Plans for the new Bayview Community Center are achieving the strictest level of energy efficiency certification. Storm water management on the site has been designed to conform to current best practices and include green spaces, gardens, native plants and a green roof; and
WHEREAS, through Alexis’ work, the Bayview Foundation redevelopment will create beautiful, healthful homes for low income residents, including an additional 200 homes. It will serve more area neighbors through a bigger and better neighborhood center, include an array of community art commissions and projects built with resident participation, offer more green and garden space and lay the groundwork for increasing levels of resident stewardship over time; and
WHEREAS, Alexis’ work with residents of all races, ages and demographics exemplifies civility in service. Her work has helped others to thrive, and she had demonstrated leadership in fairness. Those efforts make her a perfect fit for the Jeffrey Clay Erlanger Civility in Public Discourse Award; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Alexis London has been chosen to receive the 16th Annual Jeffrey Clay Erlanger Civility in Public Discourse Award; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and the Common Council of the City of Madison, Wisconsin, congratulate and thank Alexis for all she has done, and continues to do, for our Madison community.