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Thursday, May 11, 2006 - Following a series of long and productive days, as well as a successful meeting today with representatives from public works and safety, the EC2055 design team finally had something to show tonight, and 75 county residents gathered in the Court House to take a look.
"It's like you're watching us make the sausage," joked Bill Dennis, PlaceMakers' Design Team Leader, "and we're still at a point where you can influence how it turns out."
In a 90 minute presentation, different members of the team spoke of their designs, which included ideas in development for Jakin, Arlington and Blakely, as well as Early County overall and an idea for a riverside settlement dubbed New Hilton.
The evening represented a mainstay in traditional town planning, where work in progress is shown in its current state - warts and all. For those hoping for a finished product, the process can be somewhat unsettling but it's critical for ensuring that the team is on track and properly responding to the many hopes and ideas set forth initially by the community.
"You may think these ideas are pie-in-the-sky," offered project benefactor Charles Rice, "but I'm telling you, you've got to aim high."
From the crowd's response, nothing could be further from the truth, as residents came forth with a series of accolades for the team, their proposals, and their time invested thus far.
As the presentation came to a close, a number of comments were noted as attendees gathered one-on-one to speak with members of the team.
"I love it, especially the Bistro idea on the square. Whenever I go to New York or Chicago I like the areas that have outside dining. My husband and I have to drive to Bainbridge just to get some dinner. Seeing everything tonight brings up a lot of questions like what the finished plan will look like and how it will be paid for."
-- Vivian Pounder, Damascus
"I really like the ideas you guys have come up with to make Jakin a place people want to come to and hang out."
-- Tim Rogers, Jakin
"Well, this is really exciting of course. I own a house in the country and I would sell it tomorrow and move into Blakely if there was safe and affordable housing. So, I liked the idea about putting lofts or apartments above the shops in the square. I'm a single mom. Being able to live in town and walk my kids to school would be great."
-- Karen LaBorde, Blakely
"This has been a dream of mine for a long time. I am excited to see Blakely coming together as a community so we can bring in revenue and all stay here. This can be that same great place like when I was a little girl."
-- Beverly Slaton, Blakely
Check back often with earlycounty2055.com as we continue to post new ideas being developed.
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 View scenes from the Pin-Up.
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Architecture
