LEED standards

At last Friday's Council meeting, we took an important and exciting step: we voted to adopt the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standard for new City buildings.

We referred this decision to the Citizens Environmental Advisory Committee and Environmental Coordinating Team, the City's external and internal environmental advisors, for them to look into some of the specifics. For instance, should we go through the full process to get our buildings LEED-certified, or should we just ensure that they are LEED-certifiable? In other words, should we use the standards without going for certification? If we do go for certification, what level should we aim for - Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum?

CEAC/ECT have been directed to bring their input back to the HEE committee for final action by July 10.

Seward Community Imaging event 6.24.06

The Riverside Market task force has organized a public opportunity for neighbors to consider future development at the site and all along Franklin. It will take place on Saturday, June 24, from 9am-noon, at Bethany Lutheran Church, 2511 E Franklin.

Here's some of the info from the flier:

- Learn what's up with the old Riverside Market site
- Work with artists and architects and use your visioning skills to help shape what the site will look like
- Give input that will help shape discussion of future Franklin Avenue development and planning
- Youth participation table

For more details, go to the Seward Neighborhood Group website. The organizers request that you RSVP, if you can, by calling 612-338-6205 x119 or emailing lori@sng.org

Riverside Market Site Task Force traffic meeting

For several months, I've been working with Seward neighbors on a task force planning the use of the Riverside Market site (at the corner of Franklin and Riverside). Last night, we were joined by the City's Director of Traffic and Parking, Jon Wertjes. He listened as the group of neighbors brainstormed possible changes to improve traffic near the site, and then explained that it might be several years before his department looks at the traffic systems in Seward. His department is putting a new system in place - from now on, they will look at traffic flow by quadrant of the City and plan in a more systemic, holistic way.

Kudos to Jon for coming out (at 7:45 on a Thursday!), patiently listening to the community and offering constructive, reasoned responses. It's fantastic to be able to work with such quality people.