Multicultural Center Selected for Feasibility AnalysisOn December 13, 2007, the Great Park Corporation Board of Directors directed the Great Park Design Studio to begin working on a Feasibility Analysis for the Multicultural Center. We appreciate George Faas and Issa Edah-Tally for representing the Coalition speaking in support of the Multicultural Center during the public comment period. This is an exciting time for the Orange County Multicultural Coalition! Please visit the following link for additional information regarding all programs that are being considered: http://ocgp.org/civica/filebank/blobdload.asp?BlobID=2832
Meeting with Design Studio
On December 19, 2007, Maya Dunne (Great Park Design Studio Consultant serving as the Multicultural Coalition champion) coordinated a meeting with representatives from the Multicultural Coalition to meet with Master Designer Ken Smith and the Great Park Design Studio team.
Michelle Deniz Drousé, George Faas, Issa Edah-Tally, and Misha Ma’Heo from the Multicultural Coalition made a strong presentation to the Design Studio to encourage the development of a Multicultural Center and establish a close working relationship with the Design Studio during the Feasibility Analysis phase. The presentation consisted of the following topics:
- To introduce the OC Multicultural Coalition to the Great Park Design Studio
- To explain the OC Multicultural Coalition’s capabilities
- To provide a broad draft vision for the Multicultural Center and Great Park multicultural expressions
- To determine a future direction and formalize our working relationship
Ken Smith, Great Park Master Designer, and Design Studio team members were very interested in this prospect and are considering many options for multicultural expressions at the Great Park. In addition to the Multicultural Center, some ideas include multicultural elements in the Botanical Gardens, the Bosque, and other districts in the park.
We appreciated the opportunity to meet with the designers and establish our relationship. Below were the “Next Steps” outlined at the end of the meeting:
- Communication: Maya Dunne will continue facilitating communication between the Great Park Design Studio staff and the Multicultural Coalition Liaisons Issa Edah-Tally and Michelle Deniz Drousé. The Multicultural Coalition will serve in an advisory capacity to the Design Studio and establish a series of meetings and events to Support Design Studio.
- Vision Survey: The Multicultural Coalition Liaisons will create a website to facilitate development a Vision and Priority List of Programming/Elements. The Survey has been created and can be accessed below. Please participate! http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=HkmDhZD1FrpxzN8G91pDww_3d_3d
- Concept Mock-Up: The Design Studio plans to mock-up a concept of the Multicultural Center and will share it with the community.
The Design Studio is anticipated to present a preliminary Feasibility Report to the Great Park Board in June. For more information, email mdrouse5@yahoo.com.
