H
Alec Hersh
Community Organizer &
Local Initiatives Coordinator
About Me
Education
B.A. in Theatre, Arts Leadership Concentration, Franklin and Marshall College
MPA Candidate, College of Charleston
Graduate Certificate Candidate in Urban/ Regional Planning, College of Charleston
Bio
Hello!
My name is Alec Hersh and I am a community organizer and local initiatives coordinator based in Charleston, South Carolina. I was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut and grew up in nearby Newtown. As a scholar, my primary focus is economic redevelopment in de-industrialized communities and main street management. I have written extensively on a wide array of topics, including placemaking, the role of parks in population growth, transportation policy, community development, and Urban Facadism. As an educator, I've taught with numerous institutions, including Millersville University, the Boys and Girls Club, and The Mix at Arbor Place.
Cheers!
Alec
Professional Philosophy
My career has been dominated by the belief that as public administrators, we need to be bridging the gap between people from all parts of the community. This is chiefly done through utilization and maximization of the shared space, namely Main Street, which I see as the heartbeat of any community. Many towns and cities wish to recapture the magic of a bygone era. However the key to doing so is getting people to congregate in communal spaces and benefit from municipal services. How best to do this? By investing in downtown redevelopment that caters to the full time residents, offering essential services and providing jobs through public-private partnerships. By supporting the job market and tax base, we can hope to see our downtowns become the necessities they are meant to be, filled with necessary businesses, parks, public art, and smart streets.
