Signal Works Visits the Bouldercrest Community: People-First Planning for a Stronger, Greener Future
- bouldercrestcorrid
- Nov 21, 2025
- 4 min read
Eric Army, Signal Works
On October 23, 2025, the Bouldercrest Overlay community welcomed Eric Army, CEO and Founder of Signal Works, for their first visit to our neighborhood and our first of many community meetings. Together with Village Habitat Design and DeKalb County officials, Signal Works has been selected to co-create the Bouldercrest Corridor Small Area Plan — a blueprint that will shape the future of our homes, businesses, environment, and quality of life.
Their introductory presentation made one thing clear: Signal Works is not just another architecture firm — they are a “people-focused, place-based, purpose-driven” team dedicated to helping communities rise through thoughtful planning and meaningful development.
Below, we break down the key themes from his presentation and why your survey response matters now more than ever. See Army's full presentation pdf below.
Designing the Bouldercrest Corridor by the Community, for the Community
Who Is Signal Works?
A Community-Centered Design Firm With a Mission
Signal Works is a nationally recognized firm that revitalizes broken buildings and underused sites using community-led design and visionary construction.They specialize in transforming underserved areas into powerful, thriving places.
Their approach is rooted in three core values:
1. People-Focused
They guide communities, stakeholders, and leaders through an inclusive, mission-driven design process.
2. Place-Based
They study the land, the culture, and the history, designing spaces that reflect the authentic character of the community.
3. Purpose-Driven
Every project must advance long-term community wellbeing, sustainability, and opportunity.
This philosophy is woven through every page of their presentation, from their portfolio to their planning methodology.
What Services Does Signal Works Offer?
Key Skills & Capabilities
Signal Works brings a deep toolbox of expertise to Bouldercrest:
✔ Municipal Consulting & Masterplanning
They provide planning, case studies, technical assistance, and design review for cities, towns, and counties.
✔ Mixed-Density Housing Design
From historic preservation to innovative mixed-density housing, they create diverse housing options that support families, seniors, and multi-income communities.
✔ Community Design & Redevelopment
Their specialty is turning “broken buildings” and neglected areas into vibrant hubs for economic activity, education, health, and community life.
✔ Innovative Education Spaces
Signal Works is known for creating schools and learning environments that serve students and families with dignity and creativity.
✔ Full-Service Planning + Construction Guidance
Their method integrates:
Discovery
Strategy
Design documentation
Construction advising
Mission impact delivery
This step-by-step process ensures projects stay aligned with community values while navigating complex zoning, funding, and design requirements.while preserving surrounding forests.
Who Leads Signal Works?
Meet Eric Army, AIA
Eric Army — who visited Bouldercrest in person — is a nationally licensed architect with experience in:
Historic preservation
Community revitalization
Innovative school design
Mission-driven planning
His credentials include:
Licensed in Georgia, Rhode Island, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Maine
Providence Business News 40 Under 40
Teacher of the Year at Johnson & Wales College of Design
Board & civic leadership roles in historic preservation
This combination of technical skill and community-oriented leadership makes Signal Works an ideal partner for Bouldercrest.
🏘 What Does Signal Works’ Work Mean for Bouldercrest?
Signal Works is committed to helping our community:
✔ Create a balanced, diverse housing ecosystem
Including homeownership, rentals, supportive housing, and transitional housing options.
✔ Build places that attract people
Bouldercrest needs destinations where neighbors can gather, shop, and connect — not more warehouses or heavy industrial uses.
✔ Strengthen community advancement
By pairing land-use planning with opportunities for:
Small business growth
Innovative education
Social services
✔ Ensure the plan reflects our values
Signal Works champions a model where community voice directs design, not the other way around.
Their job is to guide us, but the decisions must come from Bouldercrest residents.
Your Voice Matters Now
The Bouldercrest Corridor Small Area Plan will determine:
What gets built
What gets protected
What housing looks like
What businesses can operate
How walkable our streets become
How much green space remains
Whether development benefits the people who live here now
Signal Works and Village Habitat Design can only reflect our vision IF we participate.
We need every resident — homeowners, renters, youth, elders, business owners to complete the community survey.
TAKE THE SURVEY — Shape Bouldercrest’s Future
Survey Link: https://s.surveyplanet.com/puknc7bl
It takes less than 5 minutes and directly informs the Small Area Plan draft that Signal Works and Village Habitat Design will produce in the coming months.
Your response ensures the plan represents:
Long-term residents
New residents
Elders
Youth
Future generations
Small businesses
Property owners
Renters
And the entire Bouldercrest Overlay community
Closing Thoughts
Signal Works has a national reputation for transforming overlooked communities into places of pride, purpose, and opportunity. Their visit to Bouldercrest marks a powerful beginning — but the future depends on your voice.
This is our moment to shape Bouldercrest together. Let’s build a safer, greener, more connected, and more prosperous corridor for all.
Take the survey. Share the survey. Shape the plan.
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