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Sunday, May 14, 2006 - The classic court room setting only intensified the drama today as PlaceMakers, the traditional town planning and implementation firm assisting the EC2005 initiative, presented an enthusiastic, standing-room only crowd of 120 with a plan to spark and guide growth in Early County over the next fifty years.
"This is about ideas that can enhance your quality of life," said Nathan Norris, Principal with PlaceMakers, in welcoming the crowd. "We're creating a plan that tells you what you need to do and how to go about doing it. But the doing is up to you. You're the ones that will make this a reality, should you choose to do so."
The presentation marked the completion of eight straight days on the Blakely square, where a team comprised of traditional town planners, architects, artists, economists, strategists, communicators, support personnel and two dachshunds worked day and night to collect the ideas of county residents and incorporate them into a viable plan for growth.
Their conclusion? The key to Early County, and the source of its greatest value, is its rural character. As explained by Design Team Leader Bill Dennis, the protection of this character is paramount if the community is to increase its economic viability moving forward.
"Let's not junk it up," he mentioned lightly. "Otherwise, you'll lose your greatest asset."
Accomplishing this means directing future growth to those areas where it's most appropriate. This includes the current towns, of course, but could also include a new town development built on a village model within a natural landscape. Dennis presented ideas for just such a place - dubbed New Hilton - that could provide a mix of primary and secondary residences, and appeal to both retirees and families through proximity to the river, golf, hunting and other natural recreational pursuits.
The plan also incorporates many instances of mixed-use, which is just a planner's way of talking about neighborhoods that also include small-scale shops or places to work, which allows people greater choice and flexibility in how they go about their daily needs. This also includes buildings themselves. For example, shops on the Blakely square could be renovated to include second story residences, offices or both.
"Ultimately," said Dennis, "it just makes a place more satisfying and interesting."
Bringing discussion of this grand vision down to more immediate, day-to-day concerns, one resident asked if efforts to reduce street widths to slow traffic would also reduce what's already perceived as a lack of parking.
"It's all about the number of streets and how you configure them," said PlaceMakers planner Howard Blackson, referring to the use of on-street spaces. "You may not realize it but, if this plan were built as we propose, you'd effectively double your downtown parking overnight."
Reemphasizing the practical, problem-solving nature of their work, Dennis added, "You know, some people have asked if all this is just pie-in-the-sky. The truth is, we've put our entire focus this week into designing things that are doable."
So what comes next? Said Norris, "You all have amazed us with your ideas and we've responded with all kinds of plans. Let us get a few hours sleep and then we'll start putting together the reports that will guide EC2055 for the next 50 years."
Covering the entire county, with individual recommendations for each town, the finalized plan will examine land use, community design, rural preservation, growth, and economic and community development.
It is expected to be delivered within six weeks. You'll find downloadable copies right here at www.earlycounty2055.com.
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 Experience the closing presentation.
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Architecture
