Shireman ('14) among top finalists for 'Lots of Possibility' competition
McConnell Scholar oSha Shireman ('14)
McConnell Scholar oSha Shireman, of Meade County, Ky., is among 12 finalists for the 2014 "Lots of Possibility" competition, a project sponsored by the City of Louisville to seek innovative citizen designs for redeveloping and reusing vacant lots.
Shireman, along with Louisville entrepreneur Christopher Head, proposed a temporary or interim use project for converting vacant lots into lavender gardens. The proposal includes redirecting rainwater, vegetating bioswales and adding french drains to support lavender herb beds for decoration, potpourri and oil production.
Finalists have been asked to prepare more detailed project proposals, including site plans, a budget, and plans for implementation, operations and maintenance. Finalists will present their project proposals in early April to a panel of community leaders, architects, landscape architects and Louisville Metro Government staff. Winning proposals will be identified in mid-April.
The competition will award $15,000 prizes and ownership of a vacant lot to one team to implement their long-term plans. Shireman and Head, competing in the temporary plans division, are eligible for $4,000 prizes and one-year leases.
Louisville Metro has identified more than 6,000 vacant properties to put into productive use.