FYI: 2012 is the year of the black-water dragon. In general, that means a year of strength and good fortune. With the inclusion of water, it is a calmer, more empathetic dragon open to collaboration, cool deliberation, and the making of intelligent decisions. Yet, it remains a dragon and needs to be approached with caution.
Normal, IL’s Uptown Normal Roundabout project won the EPA’s Smart Growth Achievement Award for turning a solution to a traffic dilemma into something much, much, much more value added.
The Uptown Normal Roundabout project solved a complicated intersection, created a public plaza that has fostered economic vitality & increased social capital. In addition, the integrated stormwater system (Hoerrschaudt) naturally filters the runoff from the surrounding streetscapes and reuses it in the form of a water play feature and eventually to irrigate the adjacent landscaping.
This is a Complete Street project. Complete + Green Street = Designed for People
Can you imagine this place with just concrete? Or, even just grass here with no people? It’s just, I mean, it’s boring.”
~ Mark Peterson City Manager of Normal, IL
Dear Decision Makers, Please take note.
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NOTE: Roundabouts in Traverse City? Still looking for leadership at the commission and staff level. They seem more interested in $3-million tunnels. The MyWHaT Modern Roundabout page continues to get hits, so someone is interested.
Jason Whittaker navigates the wooded section of Sunday
Last week I received an email that ended with the message:”bring the kids. Bring the cowbells. Rain or shine! See you there.” It was from one of the riders for Einstein Cycles who yesterday hosted a cyclocross race at the Civic Center in Traverse City.
Cyclocross racing is a specific type of racing that mixes trail riding with pavement and grass, hills with flats, and typically includes obstacles that require riders to quickly dismount to clear. Since it takes place on a short course, it makes it a perfect spectator sport. It also makes it a perfect fit for the County run Civic Center–cowbells and all.
Unfortunately, I missed the early races, including the women and the youngster race-hopefully, there is a next year. Photographer Erik Olsen has also posted some images from the day.
Einstein Cycles shop owner Jason Lowetz stays on the wheel of teammate Ty Schmidt
Oak Park resident Ty Schmidt represented well for the
“These were all over town, both in Arlington and in DC.”
Thanks for thinking of us in your travels, Bill Palladino. Ding! Ding!
EDITOR’S INVITE: If anyone is about out and about in the world and sees something of intention in a public space, from their hotel window or otherwise, I encourage you to frame a shot and send it in. It’s appreciated.
6th Street Halloween night 2011. (Click for larger view)
Does anyone know the history of Traverse City’s 6th Street as the region’s mecca for Halloween trick ‘o treating? Was there some lead agent back in the 50′s who called it to order? I grew-up in Lake Ann and certainly recall at least one Halloween night in the 70′s where we made the 18 mile drive for some sugary handouts.
Is it simply that more density = more candy in the least amount time? As the region has grown in population, it’s done so mainly through sprawl, as such TC’s neighborhoods would predictably see an uptick on Halloween; it is a walking holiday after all. Still, you don’t see the same number of goblins and zombies crashing Traverse Heights and other dense city ‘hoods. I suspect, in part, because of a lack of sidewalks and other features that make walking enjoyable.
Halloween is an annual walkability test–how does your neighborhood shape up?
6th Street Halloween night 2011. (Click for larger view)
Consider this @martinamyd MT @JPBarlow Cigarettes are like squirrels...not dangerous until you put one in your mouth and light it on fire. 15 hours ago
Engage & Represent: Office hours w/a City Commissioner MT @CityofTC Speak w/City Cmmn Today, Feb 8 from 2-4pm at Gov. Center- Info 922-4440 17 hours ago
Happy New Year!
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