East African Gathering Place

The East African Gathering Place is well known to the East African and Somali residents and newly arrived refugees in San Diego. It is located at a busy intersection on University Avenue and 50th Street, set between two mosques, several businesses and apartment complexes. In 2017, Rooted In Place was invited to support this community through facilitating a holistic community design process.

The East African Gathering Place is well known to the East African and Somali residents and newly arrived refugees in San Diego. It is located at a busy intersection on University Avenue and 50th Street, set between two mosques and several businesses and apartment complexes. Over the years, community members have created temporary amenities for sitting and gathering to exchange news over tea and play the traditional Somali game of Ludo. In conjunction to a huge victory in advocating a pedestrian refuge and crosswalk at the intersection of 50th Street and University Avenue, Rooted In Place was invited to support this community through facilitating a holistic community design process.

With the guidance of the design, the gathering place has received support from corporate sponsors to initiate parts of the build. As of July 2018, the East African Gathering Place will be one of the first projects to be processed under the newly released Placemaking Permit, which was pioneered by several fellow place-makers, our clients and ourselves.

Additional Support includes:
Kline Swonger – Artist rendition
Urban Corps – Construction, permitting

Client:
City Heights Community Development Corporation

Links:
Links:
City Heights Community Development Corporation: http://www.cityheightscdc.org/