Defining the "Tipping Point" for Downtown Rocky Mount

Rocky Mount, North Carolina continues to embrace its motto as “a city on the rise.” In particular, the city has sought to redevelop its historic downtown given the decline of businesses and residents over several decades. Since Hurricane Floyd devastated many community assets in 1999, the City of Rocky Mount has initiated and implemented local public sector investments for the redevelopment of historic properties using federal and state resources to incite development. The development of the Douglas Block and Streetscape renovations, more recently, have signaled a belief in the potential redevelopment of downtown Rocky Mount. However, investment from the public sector, in the long-term, is an unsustainable strategy to pursuing economic development for all of the city center. Rather, public investment should incite private-sector interest. From my previous work in Rocky Mount, it is evident that single-site strategies for market-rate development are not feasible in Rocky Mount’s downtown region. When the private-sector has been involved, 1-2 parcels are purchased but do not demonstrate a change in the market that would prompt additional interest. As a result, an alternative model for provoking real estate development is warranted. This Masters Project assesses the viability of redevelopment of select properties in downtown Rocky Mount, NC as a catalyst for economic development. The analysis attempts to identify the critical mass, or scale of acquisition and operation, needed to make private investment feasible through an acquisition fund. Two case studies on the downtown development trends in Durham, NC and Richmond, VA inform the redevelopment strategy. Implementation of an acquisition fund will spur the process for comprehensively changing the market dynamics, as a “tipping point” for real estate and economic development. To address this statement, the following report will be separated into three sections that provide the context for the strategy, review case studies, and offer recommendations based on an original financial model. Part 1 will provide context for the strategy by detailing the background on the project and project area; situating the acquisition fund model in literature on downtown redevelopment; and describing the current market for development in Rocky Mount. Part 2 will review case studies in peer cities that influence the assumptions within the acquisition model. Part 3 will provide an overview of the financial model and provide recommendations on using the acquisition fund as a tool for future development.Master of City and Regional Plannin

Preparing for Storms in Louisiana: The Facilitator\u27s Guide

The facilitator\u27s guide helps educators navigate through the risk literacy student manual, Preparing for Storms in Louisiana, and teach its contents to his or her class

Preparing for Storms in Louisiana: The Facilitator\u27s Guide

The facilitator\u27s guide helps educators navigate through the risk literacy student manual, Preparing for Storms in Louisiana, and teach its contents to his or her class

Haute games : innovative self and self-identity blendings

This thesis introduces the original idea that it is possible, and productive, to consider the ‘blending’ of (or deliberate creative combining of methods from) the fields of fine art practice and science practice, using selected empirical research methods to investigate constructions of self and self-identity that emerge between disciplines. In particular, the thesis investigates how the scientific aspects of modern computer games, for instance, can be seen to affect emotional responses from viewers and how those responses are, in turn, affected by the ‘blending’ of aesthetic concerns with consideration of alternative cognitive processes that induce relaxation to connect with participant-players’ self-identities. This process created a method to access cognitive processes, hitherto unexplored by computer-game developers. This research locates its arguments primarily in and between the disciplines, Art and Game Studies and supports the findings with examples taken from art practice and with theories of Psychology and Gaming. This thesis documents the creation of the author’s original hybrid ‘art- work-game’, known as ‘Star World’. It describes the process of ‘Star World’s’ creation, with analysis of the efficacy of this environment as a space where the mapping of narrative, and where perceptual and interactive ‘blendings’ of self and self-identity were employed and tested, with both qualitative and empirical studies of the experiences and perceptions of participant-players. The research focuses on how the distinctive abstract environment, ‘Star World’, affords and facilitates personal expression and interaction for computer-game players. It reveals specific cognitive processes undergone by participant-players; evidence that supports and validates the conjecture that participant-players use personal frames of reference when navigating, exploring and interpreting computer games. Teach-back protocols and their impact are shown to improve the interactivity and immersive potential of the environment. Overall, this thesis classifies ‘haute game’ rules that are formulated to identify virtual environments creating unique, alternative ‘blendings’ with participant-players and assembles a framework for developers to pursue, when producing original computer-game genres. It offers an innovative case study of value to future scholars of Game Studies, as well as to game developers, with cautionary examples provided to assist in dealing with situations where emotional states are accessed by game play. This thesis highlights the potential of interactive art and game design to produce beneficial outcomes for its participant-players, moreover, it demonstrates, with empirical evidence, the effect of the virtual environment on its participant-players.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Preparing for Storms in Louisiana: Manual for Nonreaders

The Preparing for Storms nonreader manual uses the same curriculum as the Preparing for Storms student manual, but is designed for beginning readers

Preparing for Storms in Louisiana: Manual for Nonreaders

The Preparing for Storms nonreader manual uses the same curriculum as the Preparing for Storms student manual, but is designed for beginning readers

Accelerating Student Success: The Case for Corequisite Instruction

The successes of corequisite remediation courses and supplemental instruction over traditional remediation courses such as the modular Math Essentials have been widely and recently documented (Logue, Watanabe-Rose, & Douglas, 2016). Corequisite reform is an important strategy to improve student completion of higher education goals. A robust corequisite model integrates gateway course content with lifelong tools such as time management and study skills that help students beyond the scope of one course. Corequisite remediation may not completely eliminate developmental courses; however, “a fundamental redesign of the support system for academically underprepared students” will include corequisite remediation (Vandal, 2014). This broader “support system” may integrate corequisite courses with the current (or similar) modular curriculum with non-modular precollege courses such as MTH 5 or MTH 9 in the Virginia Community College System (VCCS). Student placement into the optimal teaching/learning mode may be as key as course level placement (Bickerstaff, 2016). Corequisite remediation provides the VCCS with a powerful tool for student success. Wise integration of corequisite courses as part of a robust remediation program makes the vision of the VCCS strategic plan, Complete 2021, more clearly attainable

Preparing for Storms in Louisiana Facilitator\u27s Guide, 2nd Edition

The facilitator\u27s guide helps educators navigate through the risk literacy student manual, Preparing for Storms in Louisiana, and teach its contents to his or her class