Tuskegee University architecture students hope to improve Selma to Montgomery Trail

TUSKEGEE, Alabama (March 10, 2015) — Students from Tuskegee University’s Architecture Department recently participated in an Atlanta conference addressing environmental issues. The event was held by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 office at the Sam Nunn Federal Center on Feb. 27. During the conference, the Tuskegee group presented a plan to develop alternate transportation for people in communities near the Voting Rights Act Trail.

The conference was part of the College/Underserved Community Partnership Program (CUPP). Through CUPP, college and university students provide technical support to underserved communities at no cost to them. Tuskegee is one of nine colleges in the program. 

The student participants were: Megan Brightharp, Perry Couch, Zenobia Johnson, Michael Larche, Allison Merritt, Taurean Merriweather, and Jaime White. The architecture professors connected to the project are Emile Dixon and Roderick Fluker. The group’s plan addresses issues associated with the lack of transportation access in underserved communities along the Selma to Montgomery Trail such as Lowndes and Dallas Counties. The problems in these areas include inaccessibility to education and employment opportunities; health care, historic Civil Rights landmarks, and recreational venues. 

Their plan proposed establishing two bus routes and creating a network of bus stops along Highway 80 and near eight cities in Lowndes County. The students also submitted several designs for bus stop prototypes. The proposal will be submitted to National Park Service representatives at a later date. 

According to a press release, “The conference was designed to highlight how college students are helping communities address important issues that will improve their economic future and the environmental health. At the same time, these efforts are providing practical experience for students in their areas of academic study.”