A Day in the Life of a Community Builder, with Mark Deutschmann

What do you value most about your community?*
- Property values and the long-term trajectory of the neighborhood are encouraging
- I love being able to walk to my favorite spots and the strong sense of community
- I haven’t really thought about this before but like my neighbors
- It has a lot of potential. I want to help it grow and thrive

How do you currently support your community?*
- Pay taxes and contribute economically, but finding the time for much else is too difficult
- Donate to nonprofits and the causes I care about, while helping on projects however I can
- Engage and volunteer with local organizations when I have the time, but I wish I could do more
- Work closely with local nonprofits; spearhead major projects to improve the community

What’s the greatest advantage of urban living?*
- It makes getting to work convenient and I love being close to the action
- It’s a fit for my lifestyle right now, but I haven’t considered any advantages long-term
- The city offers everything I need to live an active, healthy, and fulfilling life in close proximity
- It allows me a culturally rich life that promotes healthy living and environmental wellbeing

What would you say is the leading feature of a thriving neighborhood?*
- Successful, walkable commercial districts are the biggest difference maker for me
- An infrastructure that makes transportation inclusive, safe, and easy for everyone
- A strong core with vibrant spaces for citizens to gather and share in the culture
- As long as I feel safe in my home I don’t need much more from the community or my neighbors

What do you consider your role as a citizen?*
- To be a community steward who works to preserve and improve my neighborhood
- As long as I am obeying the laws and not harming anyone my duty is fulfilled
- To help when called upon, otherwise stay out of the way for more experienced people and groups
- To engage community stakeholders and be an advocate for well-guided change

As neighborhoods improve, finding affordable housing is a real problem. How important is affordable and workforce housing?*
- In a perfect world I’d love it, but it’s unrealistic to make affordable housing a priority
- I think this is a serious issue and have ideas that might help, but it seems like too big of a project
- I am working with local leaders and citizens to advance affordable housing initiatives and prevent gentrification
- I have engaged with developers who prioritize placemaking to improve housing without displacement

Where do you think urban development should be focused?*
- Wherever it can make the greatest positive impact
- Wherever will attract high net worth buyers
- There’s no one place. My work is dedicated to improving my one-mile radius
- On corridors near public transit and within walking distance of commercial centers

What are you doing to prioritize green and sustainable living?*
- It’s not a priority for me.
- Everything I can. I’ve taken energy-saving measures on my home, I recycle and use public transit and I’m already actively involved in many community green initiatives
- I recycle and I try to walk or bike instead of drive my car
- I try to be environmentally responsible and would like to help my community do the same

How do you view your area’s maker community?*
- Their impact as cultural influencers is taken for granted. They need increased community support
- Everyone has their own calling, but the rest of the community shouldn’t subsidize their lifestyle
- Retaining a creative class is critical to a thriving community and something I work to preserve
- I enjoy their work and presence, but I don’t think we need to build our communities around them

What is your vision of your community’s future?*
- I’m content with my community. Any development or major change would be disruptive
- I have a plan and will work with community advocates to create a diverse, culturally rich, inclusive, economically equitable neighborhood
- I live in the suburbs and would like to see the development of a strong community core where I live
- I am hopeful that my work with local nonprofits will attract thoughtful developers