Volunteer Spotlight: Seth Harry

As a long-time volunteer and NDC Hall of Fame member, Seth Harry has been one of our more active members, helping to develop master plans for Takoma-Langley Crossroads, the Pen Lucy neighborhood, Greektown, and Belvedere Square, design charrettes for Charles Village and Bladensburg Town Center, a commercial corridor study for Rt. 40 in Rosedale, and an adaptive reuse project for the First Street Foundry in Laurel.  Maybe most importantly, he has viewed his involvement with NDC as a way to mentor and involve a new generation of volunteers.  This is exemplified in his work with the Hyattsville Volunteer Fire Department in 2007 - 2009.

Seth was initially asked to do a feasibility study to determine whether a new mixed-use development could fit on a site that included both the Volunteer Fire Department and a local Red Cross chapter.  To help with this, Seth brought on board a colleague (Jud Malone) to create a Market Analysis.  Unfortunately, when the analysis was completed, the Red Cross pulled out of the project due to the economic downturn.

With the elimination of the Red Cross, the project re-focused on the renovation of the existing fire station.  Seth involved several of his young staff in the project, who helped to develop plans that included an extension of the building to better serve the needs of the Volunteer Fire Department. The clients were delighted with the project and are currently seeking funding.

Seth’s feelings about volunteering on this project are summarized by him: "Our experience working on the HVFD gave us the opportunity to meet and interact with two groups who have a huge positive impact on the community, the fire department and their personnel, and the Red Cross.  Though in the course of our design explorations and feasibility analysis it was determined that it would not be practical for the two organizations to combine their facilities as was first envisioned, the process helped reinforce our perceptions of the vital role both groups play in the community, and how thinking about urban design and community service together, can inform our place-making to help them provide even greater value to the citizens they serve, physically as well as programmatically."

Because his work is taking him further afield to Asia and Australia, Seth has fewer opportunities to volunteer.  Yet, in January 2010, Seth mentored two of his younger staff members (Megan Schwartz and Patrick Zimmerman) as part of a day long design charrette to provide storefornt revitalization plans for businesses in Riverdale, Hyattsville, and the Port Towns.  We are thankful for Seth's eagerness to "pass the torch to them" and look forward to working with Megan, Patrick, and the other volunteers who Seth has helped to cultivate.