Planet Planning

Sustainable "Green" Economic Development

Presentation for Bradley University Engineers

Click on the link Below to see PDF Power Point Presentation

We're Going Green!

Look for information coming soon on WTVP's Sustainability project. And don't miss the Central Illinois Green Expo Sept. 10-11 from 10 AM to 5 PM at Illinois Central College. Enjoy

exhibits, presentations and how-to workshops where you'll learn about what it really means to be green! There'll be fun activities for the kids, live music and local food. For more information, visit

www.cigreenexpo.org

Daniel Burnham

A documentary airing nationally on PBS today looks at the work of Daniel Burnham and the emergence of the urban planning profession.

"The film, which premieres nationally on PBS on Labor Day, September 6 (check local listings for times), recounts the life of Chicago architect Daniel Burnham (1846-1912), famous for designing the Flatiron Building in New York, Union Station in Washington, D.C., and the landmark 1909 master plan for Chicago. He pioneered the skyscraper form, then introduced the City Beautiful to cities across the United States and the Philippine Islands; along the way, he practically invented not only the large, corporate architecture firm, but also the very discipline of urban planning."

The documentary gives special attention to Burnham's civic idealism, and what many see as a philanthropic approach to urban improvement.

Full Story: "City Beautiful" Comes Alive in Daniel Burnham Documentary

Congratulations to Fresh Markets and the West Lake Shopping Center

Congratulations to Fresh Markets

Les Cohen has done an outstanding job attracting Fresh Markets to the West Lake Shopping Center on the west side of Sterling north of I-74. This upscale grocery was jam packed with people shopping on both days that we went there. And the rest of the center looks great also.

Nice job.

http://www.pjstar.com/news/x89697689/Fresh-Market-opens

http://www.pjstar.com/business/x1526462483/The-Fresh-Market-a-specialty-grocer-slated-for-Westlake?photo=0

Great New Restaurant

Paul Kelley's is a great new restaurant in downtown Peoria. We loved it. Check it out.

Fresh Grilled Marlin with an Artichoke-Dijon Sauce at Paul Kelley's at 401 Water Street.

Limited reservations available so please call at 673-8122 or text at 338-9880.

Form Based Code

Form-based codes produce more consistent and predictable patterns of development in relationship to the public realm than typically achieved through conventional zoning regulations.

Interesting article in Wikapedia on Form Based Codes. Form Based Codes attempt to legislate aesthetics.

It is laudable goal, but in practice very difficult. Architects love to show their creativity with unique individual buildings. Efforts to regulate form replace a central government approved set of aesthetic controls with individual freedom.

More on the link below:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Form-based_code

experimental coal-fired power plant in Illinois

At least some of the coal producers and other companies working with the Department of Energy to build an experimental coal-fired power plant in Illinois have decided to stick with the project despite major changes to the original plan.

http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D9HV6BLG0.htm

http://www.futuregenalliance.org/