From the Department of Planning and Growth Management:

Much has happened since 2002 when the Heart of Peoria (H.O.P.) Plan was developed using a charette process directed by the firm of Duany Plater-Zyberk. Learn of the progress we have made in implementing this plan and join us for the exciting second phase of the project. Voice your opinions and add your ideas to those of City Council members, commissioners, city staff, neighborhood and business leaders, and your fellow citizens.

The weeklong urban design forum of Studio H.O.P., directed by the experts at Ferrell Madden, will result in specific concepts and designs for the Sheridan-Loucks Corridor, the Warehouse District and the Prospect Road Corridor. Other New Urbanism strategies will also be created for other Heart of Peoria neighborhoods.

The opening session will be held at the Civic Center on Friday night, May 19, at 6:30 p.m. The hands-on design session for neighborhoods will be held on Saturday, May 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Iron Front Building (424 SW Washington). You can find out more information by going to www.heartofpeoria.com or calling the Planning and Growth Management Department at 494-8600.

It’s very encouraging to see the city actively working on implementing the Heart of Peoria Plan. It’s also refreshing to see public input proactively welcomed and seen as valuable (in contrast to the school district’s actions of late).

The website is very informative, although its graphics are so large that it takes a long time to load each page, even with a broadband connection. They should look into reducing the file size of the pictures to make the site more user-friendly and so it doesn’t detract from the excellent content.

At this point, I’m planning to attend the charette. I never got a chance to attend the original charettes back in 2002 because of my work schedule, but I think I will be able to attend one of the dates this time.