Campaign for a Walkable West Bluff plans “walkable audit”

From a press release:

Campaign for a Walkable West Bluff logoThe Campaign for a Walkable West Bluff is excited to invite you to our Walkable Audit, examining and evaluating the safety and desirability of walking routes along Main Street , scheduled for Saturday, April 19, 2008, 9am – 11am, Bradley Continuing Education Building, 1501 W. Bradley Ave., corner of Main/University. A Walkable Audit uses scales/rating devices, maps, cameras, measuring tapes, and Q & A to discuss issues of redevelopment. Small groups will stop frequently to discuss current conditions, talk to other pedestrians, visit a local business owner, or allow time for independent sketching and thought. All materials, auditing tools, maps, and group signage will be provided by CWWB. Our goal is to sign-up 50 volunteers to conduct a comprehensive audit. There is some interest in forming a bicycle team as well. Safety is of highest consideration given the busy Main Street location.

We hope you might be able to join us for some or all of the morning. There will be a short pre-meeting starting at 9:00 am with groups going out to begin audits by 9:30 am. The Walking Audit will be the Kick-off Event for the Campaign. We will be inviting community leaders, press, neighborhood residents and business owners. We see the Audit as the first step in visioning for a vibrant Main Street . We need an accurate and clear picture of where we are before beginning the process of envisioning where we want to be. As we audit, we will also be discussing implications of improvements. There are already redevelopment effort s in place for Main Street and we feel it is important to inject a stronger community voice. The community needs to be present, vocal, and organized.

Following the audit, the Campaign will issue a summary report of our findings to present to appropriate city officials and other interested parties to determine if there are issues that may be addressed immediately.

The Campaign will also be sponsoring a team for the Great American Clean-up on the same day.

Campaign for a Walkable West Bluff
Jennifer Brady, Anne Bartolo, Lisa Ferolo

The wrecking begins

Robertson Memorial Fieldhouse is coming down. The name has been removed from the front, and demolition crews have started descending on the old hangars. It’s had a good run.

I have a certain amount of nostalgia for the old place. But at the same time, I’m not all broken up by its departure. It’s not an architecturally significant building. It’s not really even that old. I have a lot of memories of concerts and events that I’ve attended there, and the place certainly had character. I’ll miss it.

But the new venue will be very nice and tailored to Bradley’s needs. And we’ll just have to start making new memories.

“Green Plays in Peoria” seminar April 23

From a City of Peoria notice:

Please join the leadership of Peoria to discuss what Peoria can do to encourage continued improvement in………

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

“Green Plays in Peoria”
April 23, 2008
5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Gateway Building

AGENDA

5:30 p.m. Welcome – City of Peoria, Mayor Jim Ardis
5:35 p.m. New Urbanism/ Sustainable Development – Ray Lees, Planning Commission Chair & Craig Hullinger, Economic Development
5:40 p.m. Civil Engineering and Construction – Dr. Amir Al-Khafaji, Bradley University
5:45 p.m. Green Navigation – Brian Davie, Farnsworth Group
5:50 – 7:00 p.m. Participants will break into small 8-10 person groups and develop goals/strategies
7:00 – 7:30 p.m. Small group presents goals/strategies to larger group

The goals and strategies developed by the participants will be considered in the development of the new City’s Comprehensive Plan.

More information at: http://sustainablepeoria.blogspot.com

More information at: http://peoriaed.blogspot.com

For comments or questions: Contact craighullinger@gmail.com

RSVP with Stephanie Grayson 309.494.8640 or sgrayson@ci.peoria.il.us

Sponsored by the City of Peoria and the Civil Engineering and Construction Department at Bradley University