|
Citizens invited to visioning session
By HARLAN WEIKLE
| Article published on Wednesday, April 30, 2008 |
|
 |
INDIAN ROCKS BEACH – City officials hope to get the public’s input at a planning and design session on Saturday, May 3, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Indian Rocks Beach’s civic auditorium, 1507 Bay Palm Blvd.
The meeting, hosted by University of South Florida’s School of Architecture and Community Design, marks the second phase of the contracted study by USF to envision the future community planning and development goals for the city.
According to interim City Manager Danny Taylor, the charrette will bring together interested citizens from Indian Rocks Beach and a team of urban designers from USF assembled under the direction of T. Trent Green, associate professor of architecture and urban design to share ideas and propose directions for the future development of the city’s commercial and public spaces.
Taylor said the day will kick off with coffee and a short presentation by Green followed by the work sessions with citizens combining into smaller groups to share their visions and develop ideas that the planning team will then begin to incorporate into their final recommendations to the city.
Groups will be provided with drawing paper, markers, maps and photos with which to express their ideas and communicate with other groups.
Green said he is excited about the citizen involvement and encourages everyone to attend. There are no age limits; school age children in particular are encouraged to participate.
Areas targeted for the session are the “triangle” or Narrows in the south end of the city; in midtown roughly 11th to 16th avenues and the west side of Gulf Boulevard, and to the north the commercial node between 23rd and 28th avenues.
The groups will be encouraged to seek out opportunities for enhancing economic development, parking and along the beach corridor new infill development, Green said.
“This is a very democratic process,” Green added. “We want to develop a vision plan that gives a picture of what the future could be.”
The USF group will conclude the day with a show and tell of what the charrette participants envisioned. Green said that approximately 30 to 60 days later, the team will return recommendations based on what they have learned are the visions, wants and desires of the citizens.
Those wishing to attend Saturday’s meeting are asked to register by calling City Hall at 517- 0404. Bag lunches are recommended and there will be ample opportunity for social interaction, lunch, and breaks throughout the day.
“We want the meeting to be productive as well as enjoyable for everyone,” Taylor said.
|
Article published on Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Copyright © Tampa Bay Newspapers: All rights reserved. |
