Winning New Orleans-based project gets $25,000 grand prize NEW ORLEANS, Sept. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Chase and Enterprise Community Partners are pleased to announce the opening of the 2009 Chase Community Development Competition. Held in New Orleans for the second consecutive year, this real estate design competition continues to match practical design ideas of college students with the real-life community needs of low- to moderate-income families in the Crescent City. Started 15 years ago in New York City, the competition refocused its direction in 2008 to center on the rebuilding efforts underway in New Orleans. This competition allows college students to partner with local nonprofits to create environmentally responsive real estate plans that meet a community need. The first place entry will receive a $25,000 predevelopment grant. The second place design will get a $15,000 grant, and the third place winners will receive a $10,000 grant. Chase will provide funding for the grants. "Chase is committed to strengthening neighborhoods by connecting community leaders with innovative solutions," said Lizette Terral, the New Orleans president of Chase. "The Chase Community Development Competition will make a difference in the lives of our customers and neighbors in New Orleans." Teams are encouraged to focus on one of the 17 target recovery areas identified by the Office of Recovery, Development & Administration. The complete proposal must include financial analysis, architectural renderings and other relevant components. "Participating in a competition of this magnitude offers students relevant inter-disciplinary experience on how to create structures that positively affect people and the communities where they live and work," said Derek James Hoeferlin, adjunct professor for the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, Washington University in St. Louis and faculty advisor to the collaborative winning team of Washington Univ. and MIT from the 2008 competition. "Being able to work in New Orleans offers an additional component for these students. It gives them a chance to be part of New Orleans' living history." Five semi-finalist teams will be selected to present their projects in the final round of the competition. Winners will be announced November 17, 2009. For more information, visit www.enterprisecommunity.org/local_work/gulf_coast/.
