PEORIA -- Here's a free chance to tell the powers-that-be how Peoria can improve its environmental footprint.
A program called “Green Plays in Peoria” takes place from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. on Wed. April 23 at the Gateway Building on the Peoria riverfront.
Here's the agenda, according to a news release:
5:30 p.m. Welcome - City of Peoria, Mayor Jim Ardis
5:35 p.m. New Urbanism/ Sustainable Development - Ray Lees, Planning Commission Chair & Craig Hullinger, Economic Development
5:40 p.m. Civil Engineering and Construction - Dr. Amir Al-Khafaji, Bradley University
5:45 p.m. Green Navigation – Brian Davie, Farnsworth Group
5:50 - 7:00 p.m. Participants will break into small 8-10 person groups and develop goals/strategies
7:00 - 7:30 p.m. Small group presents goals/strategies to larger group
The goals and strategies developed by the participants will be considered in the development of the new City’s Comprehensive Plan.
More information at: http://sustainablepeoria.blogspot.com
More information at: http://peoriaed.blogspot.com
For comments or questions: Contact [email protected]
RSVP with Stephanie Grayson 309.494.8640 or [email protected]
The event is sponsored by the City of Peoria and the Civil Engineering and Construction Department at Bradley University.
Now -- what shall we tell them?
1. Turn the Kellar rail line into a hike and bike trail in our lifetimes.
2. Save the significant trees in Peoria, instead of allowing developers (including Bradley University) to cut them at will. Whatever happened to the proposed tree ordinance?
3. Provide more frequent bus service, in smaller buses if appropriate, free, to get people out of their cars.
4. Provide more protection for the Illinois River: No more parking decks on its banks, for starters. Get the sewage overflow out, also in our lifetimes. Keep the shoreline free and open to the public.
5. Provide laws and incentives to rehab inner city and older buildings, including school buildings, to stop the architecturally blah construction destroying Peoria's historic ambience. No historic building should ever be demolished, period. European cities don't allow it, period. Nor should Peoria.
6. Do SOMETHING about University south of War Memorial. What a depressing, blighted place! Needs trees, flowers, greenery.
7. Provide incentives to develop flowerbeds and trees in established commercial areas. And bike racks.
8. Lobby the state to pass a bottle bill, to get litter off the streets. (Other Midwestern states already have these laws.)
The list is endless.
-- Elaine Hopkins
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