Links Between Workshop Data and Design Concepts: Smart Growth

Many of Central High's aspirations are parallel to the EPA's characteristics of "Smart Growth".  Some of the ideas that emerged from their workshops are:

• Central wants to develop their existing site rather than starting over. 
• Central High thinks it has the potential to have a strong sense of place.
• Central wants their facilities to have multiple uses.
• They want to develop collaborations with neighboring entities such as Drury, OTC, CU, Government Offices.
• Central wants to preserve urban open spaces like the one on the southwest corner of their lot.

Compare the ideas directly from Central's workshop input with the EPA's "Smart Growth" Program below.

The "EPA helps communities grow in ways that expand economic opportunity, protect public health and the environment, and create and enhance the places that people love. Through research, tools, partnerships, case studies, grants, and technical assistance, EPA is helping America's communities turn their visions of the future into reality."  (Direct quote from the Environmental Protection Agency's website)
 EPA Smart Growth Principles that directly relate to Central High's development are bold and underlined.

1. Mix land uses
2. Take advantage of compact building design
3. Create a range of housing opportunities and choices
4. Create walkable neighborhoods
5. Foster distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place
6. Preserve open space, farmland, natural beauty, and critical environmental areas
7. Strengthen and direct development towards existing communities
8. Provide a variety of transportation choices
9. Make development decisions predictable, fair, and cost effective
10. Encourage community and stakeholder collaboration in development decisions