In May 2020, the city of Jamestown Strategic Planning & Partnerships Commission will present the first ever Imagine Jamestown Ideas Competition Awards Celebration.

The commission announced their intention to host the competition at its Oct. 23 meeting and this week marks the launch of the competition website.

The 2020 Imagine Jamestown Ideas Competition theme will be “Designing Sustainable, Livable, Remarkable Neighborhoods in Jamestown, NY” and will focus on addressing current housing challenges that the city is facing. Anyone interested in learning more about the competition is invited to attend the Imagine Jamestown Ideas Competition Kick-Off and Mentoring and Visioning Workshop, which will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 11 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the WRFA-LP Studio at the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts, located at 116 E. Third St. Here, attendees can speak with competition team members to get more information, learn how to support the initiative, brainstorm ideas and consult with an expert team of mentors, or find out how to become a sponsor.

The goal of the Imagine Jamestown Ideas Competition is to engage the public, educate the community and empower citizens to champion initiatives and join together for positive change in an inclusive and fun way. Anyone with ideas that could contribute solutions to the current housing challenges that the city is facing and provide strategies for rebuilding strong neighborhoods, is invited to enter the competition.

Whether a design professional, student or passionate community member, there are a number of reasons to participate in the Imagine Jamestown Ideas Competition:

¯ Challenge the existing design and construction paradigm.

¯ Develop relationships with local, community and regional thought leaders.

¯ Experience broad-spectrum review, recognition and awards for outstanding design.

¯ Engage in meaningful discourse with others from your neighborhood and the larger community.

¯ Participate in networking opportunities and workshops.

¯ Exhibit your design concept at the awards celebration.

The Strategic Planning & Partnerships Commission is not able to guarantee the physical implementation of winning competition proposals, however, there will be prizes awarded for winning submissions in a number of categories. Judges will select the winner of each category and an overall grand prize winner.

Prize details will be announced as they become available and information will be provided at ImagineJamestownNY.com.

Admission to all Imagine Jamestown events are free and open to the public, and anyone interested in making a positive impact on their community is encourage to attend.

Competition details and event information is available on the Imagine Jamestown website at imaginejamestownny.com or by following Imagine Jamestown on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. For additional information regarding the Imagine Jamestown Ideas Competition or to find out how to participate, contact Crystal Surdyk, city principal planner, at surdyk@cityofjamestownny.com.