HomeProgress-Index, 04/02/2007
R/UDAT prepares for tonight’s presentation
By Julie Buchanan, Staff Writer
PETERSBURG — On top of all their expertise and knowledge in design and planning, members of the Regional/Urban Design Assistance Team possess a much-needed skill for this project — working on very little sleep.
After converging on Petersburg late last week, touring the city and meeting with residents and city officials, the team — whose members hail from as far as California and Oregon — went to work over the weekend designing a new face for downtown and the waterfront.
In order to meet a 7 a.m. deadline today, they pulled all-nighters in a makeshift design studio in the mezzanine of the Petersburg Regional Art Center.
The results of their work will be unveiled tonight in a public meeting at 6:30 at PRAC.
“We’ve been working all day and yesterday we worked into the night,” team leader Jane Jenkins said yesterday afternoon. “It’s really interesting how you see the whole thing come together. We now know the projects we’re taking on and the issues we’re addressing. It’s all coming along.”
The team is made up of professionals who specialize in certain aspects of urban planning, such as transportation or environmentally friendly designs. They have volunteered their time for the R/UDAT, a unique study that relies on public input to create a master plan for development.
A group of college students is also pitching in, providing research assistance and helping to brainstorm ideas.
Billie Graham, an architecture student at the Savannah College of Art and Design, brings a unique perspective to the project: He is a native of Petersburg.
“I saw this as an opportunity to work on my thesis and to give back to Petersburg,” said the 23-year-old, who grew up on High Street. “I think it’s great for the city. It’s great for the students. The weekend charette allows you to get a lot of ideas out on the table quickly.”
Glen O’Gilvie’s share of the project is to figure out how to incorporate opportunities for youth into a revitalized downtown region. O’Gilvie is president of Washington-based Earth Conservation Corps and has been working with at-risk youth in the Anacostia neighborhood.
His goals include keeping teenagers in school and providing jobs for older teens and young people.
“We really focus on the local community to create a sustainable design that will be around for a long time,” he explained.
• Julie Buchanan may be reached at 722-5155 or jbuchanan@progress-index.com.
