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Published online 12/21/2007 12:13 AM
Architects give first glimpse of new cityGreensburg: State of the cityGreensburg is "blessed with a unique opportunity to create a strong community devoted to family, fostering business, working together for future generations."That's the city's vision, and residents learned Thursday evening that the way the town is laid out is the first step to creating a community that exemplifies that vision.
The presentation was part of Greensburg's State of the City address in which city, county and school officials outlined progress made since the May 4 tornado and what citizens could expect in 2008. The majority of the evening was spent on the BNIM comprehensive plan, which included a conceptual design scheme for downtown Greensburg, streetscape design guidelines for signature streets, such as Main Street and U.S. 54 Highway, and a comprehensive land use guide, among other things. Downtown design BNIM's design showed two-story buildings lining Main Street south of U.S. 54 Highway. Shops and offices were housed on the first floor and residential units on the second floor. Main Street also featured crosswalks mid-block, a small "alley pocket" park, a rain garden and street trees and benches. Across from City Hall, which will be built at Wisconsin and Main streets, architects planned a community park with native plantings, a water feature and possibly an outdoor theater. Streetscape Two options for potential streetscapes were shared with residents. One showed a street with 18-foot "amenity zones" - where the sidewalk would be - up against 17-foot parking areas. The traffic lanes would be each be 17 feet wide. The second scenario widened the amenity zones to 20 feet and eliminated on-street parking. A 16-foot median was placed down the middle and each traffic direction had two 11-foot lanes. Comprehensive plan BNIM presented two options of the way land could be used in Greensburg. Both laid out places for institutional, industrial and commercial uses, as well as places for parks, residences and the downtown corridor. One option included two types of residential uses - regular residential and village residential, which is basically denser and possibly different types of housing, like town homes. The option showing village residential placed it on the south side of U.S. 56 Highway and surrounding the downtown core. What’s next? BNIM gathered community feedback at the town hall meeting Thursday. After adjusting their design to reflect that feedback, final presentations will be held with several groups, and ultimately the Greensburg City Council, which will approve or disapprove the plan Jan. 16. Announcements While the majority of the town hall meeting was spent recapping what had already occurred and reiterating the plans community leaders have for 2008, there were some first-time announcements Thursday night. For example, Bob Berkebile, partner with BNIM, said because of Greensburg’s recent commitment to build all city buildings to LEED Platinum – the highest level of certification available from the U.S. Green Building Council – that council is now considering supporting those building efforts financially. It’s also possible the U.S. Green Building Council will help raise funds for the new Greensburg school campus, which is also being designed to achieve LEED Platinum certification. Berkebile also said several partnerships are in the works, including one with Google, which is currently doing feasibility studies on the possibility building a 20 megawatt wind power data center in Greensburg. |
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