Focused topic meeting:
Village Character
1:30-3 p.m.

Focused topic meeting:
Transportation and Transit
3:30-5 p.m.

Opening presentation:
Defining Village Character
6:30-8:30 p.m.

ALL ACTIVITIES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

April 11, 2008 -- With weeks of meetings with community groups and surveys of opinions on Winter Park’s “village character” behind us, the process of achieving consensus begins in earnest today as residents, city leaders, business interests and others begin applying those ideas to a plan for guiding future growth.

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The two consulting teams, Canin Associations and PlaceMakers, will tour study areas on Friday morning and prepare for two afternoon meetings with residents at the Welcome Center. Then comes Friday night’s presentation, which formally opens this unfolding five-day intensive workshop called a “charrette.” (For a complete schedule, go here.)

The Big Idea for the next five days: Build on citizens’ concerns and hopes to, first of all, identify key underlying characteristics of Winter Park’s “village character,” then apply those principles to the study area corridors.

Already, in the weeks leading into the charrette, citizens have indicated they want Winter Park’s growth strategies to take into consideration housing choice and affordability; long-range economic development strategies; transportation and transit (including pedestrian and bike alternatives to automobiles); and sustainable building and development approaches. So topic meetings held over the next two days will attempt to drill down more deeply into how those categories might shape plans for growth.

Elected officials, staffers, committed community groups and others will be attending these opening day meetings. For a more detailed explanation of the charrette approach, go here.

Don’t miss the chance to take part. We’re looking forward to seeing you at the Welcome Center today and throughout the next five days.