 |
OVERVIEW
Community groups organized and crafted the agenda for a
Regional and Urban/Design Assistance Team invited to focus on
“New Dimensions for downtown Springfield: preserving the past
and building the future. An effort that facilitated better planning
in the downtown, improved directional and visual cohesiveness is
still facilitating the engagement of constituents and provides a
framework for the development of Springfield.
Back to top
BACKGROUND
About R/UDAT
Since 1967, the American Institute of Architect’s
Regional/Urban Design Assistance Team (R/UDAT) program has used a
grassroots, charrette-style approach to help create livable
communities. R/UDATs combine local resources with the expertise of
nationally recognized professionals to assist cities in dealing
with specific local issues. The team conducts an intensive four-day
workshop onsite, engaging all members of the community in creating
a vision for the future. To date, 138 R/UDATs have been completed
in communities throughout the United States and Canada.
Back to top
PROCESS
Precedents
In 1999 Springfield's Mayor Karen Hasara saw areas of
concern as the new millennium loomed ahead and felt that it
represented a "defining moment" in the city's history. Would the
city be ready for 2000 and beyond, with the known and unknown
developments that lie ahead? Would the city be ready for the
opening of the new Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum?
Would the city be ready for the Bicentennial Celebration of their
favorite son Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday. In order to answer
these questions subcommittees, comprised of over 100 volunteers,
were formed to address the several areas of concerns, and solutions
were proposed under the banner of Strategy 2020.
With the issues of Strategy 2020 fresh in everyone's mind, the
Mayor met with AIA Illinois Executive Vice President, Shirley
Anderson & the city's Director of Office of Planning &
Economic Development (OPED), Norm Sims, to consider the possibility
of soliciting the AIA sponsored Regional/Urban Design Assistance
Team (R/UDAT) to come to Springfield to assist in their endeavor to
revitalize the city's downtown and bridge the solutions proposed in
Strategy 2020 and the existing conditions. To help with this
endeavor, they assembled a Steering committee comprised of business
men & women from diverse backgrounds and areas of interest;
community leaders and city, state & federal government
officials -about 27 in all
Thus the application process began with the first meeting of
Steering Committee January 30th lead by Norm Sims and Jeremy
Lochirco of OPED and with volunteer Co-Chairs Bruce Ferry, AIA and
Dennis Pescitelli. An initial computer based brainstorming meeting
was conducted, followed by meetings once or twice a month to
strategize and assemble facts to determine the city's
Strengths-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats. Materials were
assembled to plead the city's case to persuade the AIA to send the
Team.
The AIA Regional and Urban Design Committee (R&UDC) sent
regularly a reconnaissance team of Architects (Jim Christopher,
FAIA & Ron Straka, FAIA). They were able to evaluate and
confirm the community's commitment and the probability of
assembling and sending the Team here. Through this process, the
path was cleared for Springfield to finally submit their
application to AIA National office.
Methodology
In October with all of their questions answered, the AIA announced
acceptance of city's application, feeling that R/UDAT could
effectively contribute to the revitalization of Springfield’s
downtown and connected neighborhoods. It also envisioned that it
could bring an awareness of the importance of improving the built
environment through planning. The specific parameters of the study
area was purposely formed by somewhat undefined boundaries, but
generally included the area bounded by North Grand Ave to South
Grand Ave and MacArthur Blvd to 19th Street
The Steering Committee began preparations for the R/UDAT's visit by
planning dates, activities, meetings, locations, accommodations,
promotions, publicity, equipment, supplies, finances, sponsorships,
etc. Pursuit of funding sources to help defray the costs of the
visit became a priority. A public reception was planned to allow
the many volunteers, citizens, & financial sponsors from the
community to meet the Team members.
The community response was gratifying to see as they stepped
forward in a way that covered all but a few thousand dollars that
were picked up by the city. Thus, several hundred thousand dollars
of value was received for a relatively small expense. The media was
contacted to alert them to the facts about the program and its
potential benefits to the community and proved to be equally
responsive.
Team members were announced - Team of 8 professionals: (Architects,
Landscape Architect, Urban Designers, Historic Preservationist,
Transportation Planner, Neighborhood Planner and Economic
Specialist) from all over the country - Chuck Davis, FAIA (San
Francisco, CA) - Beverly Dockeray-Ojo, AICP (Atlanta, GA) –
Eric Ernstberger, ASLA (Muncie, IN) - Peter Hasselman, FAIA
(Orinda, CA) - Jane Jenkins (Boulder, CO) - Tom Laging, FAIA
(Lincoln, NE) – David Markley (Redmond, WA) – James A.
Murray, PhD (Denver, CO).
The arrival of the eight-person professional team represented the
successful culmination of a year long effort to attract and qualify
the Capital City for this unique experience in “candid
critical observation”. The intense, discerning efforts of the
Team, supported by a dedicated staff made up of volunteers from the
community, followed a well organized agenda of orientations,
interviews, street tours with camera at the ready and public
forums. The news media followed and reported generously and
sometimes defensively the expressed opinions and observations of
the visitors, during the round-the-clock charrette
Infill project and rehabilitation
opportunities
The team regularly regrouped and, based upon their interaction with
the various sources, began to produce the outline of the final
document. Four days (and nights) later, in Chambers of Old State
Capitol…site of Lincoln's historic House Divided speech, the
visiting Team presented an in-depth and thoughtful verbal
presentation of the effort as well as presenting the Community with
illustrated copies of the 84 page study: R/UDAT: Springfield AIA
2002. The study was enthusiastically received, thoroughly reviewed,
and subsequently Mayor Hasara appointed (as recommended in the
report) an eight-person Follow-Up Committee, comprised of local men
and women leaders in the community, to add continuity and substance
to the visions projected by the R/UDAT Team.
Implementation
During the intervening thirteen months, the Follow-Up Committee met
regularly to continue the process of using the Springfield R/UDAT
report as a guide, to give impetus to nurturing the seeds of many
of the ideas, which had taken root as a result of the surprisingly
candid and succinct observations and suggestions of the R/UDAT
team.
The R/UDAT Follow-Up Committee initiated the process by selecting
from within the study report, a series of projects to focus the
committees’ efforts. The R/UDAT team had offered a full pallet
of responses to the charge: “to focus on New Dimensions for
Downtown Springfield: preserving the past and building the
future.” From over 50 action items, five GOALS were
selected:
GOAL I : Develop a Downtown Plan and Urban Design Framework
GOAL II : Create a Capitol Campus Area
GOAL III : Improve and Develop Downtown “Connected”
Areas
GOAL IV : Encourage Historic Preservation in the Downtown
GOAL V : Improve Transportation and Parking
Each GOAL was further identified by listing specific events, which
were prioritized to give direction to the effort and to measure
accomplishments. The Committee's priorities represented, in many
cases, tasks and ambitions, which require extended tenacity to
motivate segments of the community, the body politic and the
keepers of the treasury to become receptive to new approaches to
resolving old problems and projecting a future downtown
Springfield.
They formulated plans of attack and built up support systems at the
city, state and federal levels. Ground work was laid for programs
that are continuing to move forward at this time, including a
Design Competition held for the purpose of selecting a team to
execute the redesign for the high priority Capitol Avenue
Ceremonial Boulevard.
A vision for Downtown
Springfield
The Committee members decided to submit their resignations in April
of 2003 out of respect for newly elected Mayor Timothy Davlin to
appoint his own members of the R/UDAT Follow-Up Committee. Mayor
Davlin announced the new Committee appointments at a press
conference conducted at AIA Illinois headquarters, keeping five of
the original members and appointing three new members. This
Committee continued the pace by meeting every two weeks in an
effort to catch up and keep up with issues requiring
attention
In less than two years of Committee meetings with Agenda and
attendance that brought in local businesses, organizations,
individuals, city, state & federal agencies, to discuss &
resolve issues, results of their efforts showed signs of
success:
-Illinois legislature passed a bill to create the Office of the
Architect for the state Capitol - for the first time in the history
of the state, a full- time professional will be in charge of
planning and general direction for this 30-block area in the heart
of the city
-Illinois Speaker of the House Michael Madigan introduced House
Resolution 577 calling for the state to start planning a
replacement for the 1950’s-era Stratton Office Building, which
is noted by R/UDAT to be out of place, as a visual obstruction to
the view of the stately Capitol building, and out of date for
today's energy efficient demands.
-After several years in development, with acknowledgement to
R/UDAT's supportive role, though somewhat minor, the newly
renovated conversion of the Shriners' Building into the Center for
the Arts is dedicated with a Ribbon Cutting and Reception attended
by Speaker Madigan & Mayors Davlin, Hasara, Langfelder &
Houston.
-Governor Blagojevich signed legislation finalizing the authority
to create the Office of the Architect for the state Capitol.
Back to top
OUTCOMES
In early 2004 a new Public Information Subcommittee was formed and
took the R/UDAT message on the road - Radio, TV & print media;
Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors & Small Business
Council; Economic Development Council; IFMA; Convention &
Visitors Bureau and civic clubs.
Comm. Chair shared the limelight with Mayor, state representatives
& public officials in round table discussions of “Hot
Topics” at Chamber of Commerce Business Forum Breakfast at
Business Connection at Convention Center. Meetings were held with
city & state officials to address Way finding/Signage into and
around Springfield.
At request of Comm. Chair, the Mayor agreed that the City must
re-start the design phase of the Capitol Avenue Ceremonial
Boulevard, which had been placed on hold . The Committee was
introduced to a new initiative, which would later be developed as
Mayor Davlin's Springfield Green an effective beautification
program for the entire city, but shined brightly as it joined
forces in beautifying the downtown for the April, 2005 Dedication
of the A. Lincoln Presidential Library.
The Committee bolstered support to oppose an Alderman's proposed
termination of the downtown TIF, which was effectively defused and
never brought out of committee.
In April of 2004 at conclusion of the City Council meeting, (with
Committee members introduced), Mayor Davlin appointed the ninth
member of R/UDAT Follow-Up Committee and Comm. Chair addressed
Mayor & Aldermen with a 10-minute summary of the
“Highlights” booklet describing R/UDAT accomplishments to
date. Comm. Chair appointed to newly formed Abraham Lincoln
Presidential Library and Museum (ALPLM) Readiness Committee to
prepare for the dedication of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential
Museum in Spring 2005 and appointed to serve as finance chairman
for Mayor Davlin's newly formed Springfield Green Committee.
Illinois House adopts House Resolution 577 calling for the state to
begin planning a replacement for the governmental workspace in the
Stratton Office Building.|
Abraham Lincoln statue at entrance to
Union Square Park.
Image: Paul O’Shea, AIA
The R/UDAT momentum continued as a continuous process involving
community desires and key partnerships. An interest from the
elected leaders to back the program as it represents the interest
of its constituents was fundamental to the process.
Since 2004 several processes unfolded. Committee members arranged
partnerships with landscape design firms regarding streetscape
program, as well as meeting with the head of Illinois Realtors
Association regarding proposed new headquarters building
downtown.
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library officially opened to the
public and generated meetings with Comm. Chair, the Mayor, state
officials and key stakeholders regarding funding for implementation
of the Capitol Avenue project.
As recommended in the original R/UDAT Report, four of the original
eight R/UDAT members returned on September 2005 to Springfield for
evaluation of progress. After an extensive evaluation of the change
made since the beginning of the R/UDAT the team members noted the
general beautification and revitalization, including progress on
Capitol Avenue, Capitol Architect, Stratton Building, RR
Consolidation, Transportation Center; Center for the Arts and, of
course, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. The
proliferation of public and private partnerships, along with
effective open communications, is highlighted as a significant
factor in the achievements.
The purpose of having the original R/UDAT members returning to
Springfield is to review the status of implementation of
recommendations. In 2002, the Team focused on the downtown area,
when in fact, there was not much of a downtown. Looking back, the
Team seems to have served as "the match that started the fire". The
way that a community takes the recommendations is a key in adopting
the process. R/UDAT is about the process and it has established a
new kind of Mission Statement for Springfield that is based on the
process.
Back to top
RESOURCES
Springfield, IL Wikipedia Entry
City of Springfield
Downtown Springfield
Springfield R/UDAT Report
Regional/Urban Design Assistance Team
Program
View Communities by Design Built Works: Springfield R/UDAT IL (requires Google Earth)
Find Communities by Design Built Works: Springfield R/UDAT IL (Google Maps)
R/UDAT Built Works:
- Austin, TX R/UDAT
- Moose Jaw, Canada R/UDAT
- Salt Lake City, UT R/UDAT
- San Angelo, TX R/UDAT
|
