Cities need facelifts, too: Highland Park is planning something that won’t sag…

City Planning Correspondent Peggy Laemle gives us this report from Highland Park:
On June 24th, more Highland Parkers attended the publication party of  East on Central at The Art Center than were present at the launch of the revisioning of our Central District (Downtown) Master Plan at the Community House next door. (ANS note: we were ALL following the goings on on Twitter while we looked at the art.) Admittedly, an art experience is viewed as more fun than attending a PowerPoint about the possibilities of sustainable development. But attendees at

Downtown HP planning district

the presentation given by Doug Farr of Farr Associates would have seen what change could mean to a community that plans for a sustainable future.

Both Mayor Belsky and Michael Blue, Director of Community Development, emphasized the importance of this process being collaborative. What portions of our downtown give it character and should remain? What areas are underutilized and might benefit from modest redevelopment?

Farr showed us attractive buildings that cost little to heat and cool because they used geothermal energy. We saw awnings that collected solar energy, and pavement that absorbed rainwater. These designs are the product of a concept termed LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). LEED promotes buildings designed with little or no environmental impact.

Chicago's "Cool Globe" by Farr Assoc.

We also saw that there is more to sustainable design than how buildings are constructed. We saw a stream – of storm water run-off, cleaned and recycled on site – running through a downtown park. We learned that a LEED designed schoolhouse built to replace an older, walkable school  in town, is not truly sustainable if people have to drive to get there.

So…though it has been a little less than 10 years since we last looked at our downtown master plan, it’s time to look at it again. Not only because there are new environmental tools, but also because much has changed locally. There are more choices for entertainment and shopping in the region that draw visitors away from our City Center. And as, according to Mayor Belsky, 67% of the City’s sales tax is generated downtown, it is important to keep our downtown vibrant and competitive in the marketplace. Further, just as Highland Park has been a leader in affordable housing development, the city can be a leader in how we redevelop in our downtown. Can our community make LEED designs legal, easy and required?

Local entities have already been working to keep our tax base healthy and make our community more sustainable. Our new CBD Alliance is working with downtown property owners, the City and the Chamber of Commerce to entice shoppers and business to our downtown. The Green Initiatives Alliance, comprised of the City, School Districts 112 and 113, the Park District, the Library, Moraine Township and Highland Park Hospital, is working on policies to promote sustainability throughout our community.

Now it is our turn to become active participants. We are being offered the opportunity to learn what world class development means and how to encourage it. The project’s website shows the boundaries of our downtown, offers ways to get involved, including a survey, and provides a timeline for the process. Check it out.