I'd look at a couple things :
1) who owns the land : seems easy but I don't think skaters always look at that. They'll post on Instagram 'isn't this a great idea, who's down???'
2) find and learn about a model that works and apply it is. Community gardens, this is a big thing here, developers get tax breaks for these on their land until they build. What are the parameters? How do you change it.
I'm not going to discount activism and getting support but it's important to know the mechanics of the process.
Or......just do it and ask for forgiveness...
Haha yes, I know next to nothing about the mechanics of doing all of this right! That's why info from you guys is so helpful to my situation. I do want to take the cooperative approach rather than the asking for help approach. I feel that if this is a success, it would have a way to designating real downtown spots for skating or developing skateable objects in public spots.
I also want to convince the city to give us a space we can have control over. I don't want people at the city who know nothing about it steering things a kooky direction. That's why I feel I want to go into it with a well prepared plan.
I have definitely been thinking about the community garden idea. There is a vacant field right there on the land I'm thinkin of, and there are some successful urban farms in the city so I think it would play. Plus, I think tending to it would be such a great thing to do to stay busy in the summer (I'm a teacher, summers can get boring)
I have yet to get in touch with any city officials to get details about the property or share the plans that have been swirling in my head, but I know it's going to be a slow and gradual process. I wouldn't be able to break ground till winter's over anyway.
I am thinking about sending a lil presentation to the city and plan to include details about success stories in Michigan and elsewhere, so links like the Leo Valls video are also especially helpful.