Will we protect and improve our unique small-town character?  Will we design our city to reflect the full diversity of human needs?  Will we preserve our built heritage and farm land?  Will we develop in ways that are economically viable and environmentally sustainable?  Navigate through this page of facts, opinions and spirited discussions on a variety of topics.

“What makes a community livable? There is no single answer to that question. In a country as large as the United States - with such a wide range of geographic and climatic conditions and with a culturally and economically diverse population that is distributed so unevenly in terms of density - livability is best defined at the local level. Broadly speaking, a livable community recognizes its own unique identity and places a high value on the planning processes that help manage growth and change to maintain and enhance its community character.”
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“Health, schools, taxes, traffic, the environment, economic growth, fairness, opportunity - many of the things we care about-are all affected by development decisions. From the length of our daily commute to the price of a new home to the safety of our neighborhoods - what, where, and how we build have major impacts on our personal lives, our communities, and our nation.

Growth presents a tremendous opportunity for progress. Communities around the country are looking for ways to get the most out of new development and to maximize their investments. Frustrated by development that requires residents to drive long distances between jobs and homes, many communities are challenging rules that make it impossible to put workplaces, homes, and services closer together. Many communities are questioning the fiscal wisdom of neglecting existing infrastructure while expanding new sewers, roads, and services into the fringe. And in many communities where development has improved daily life, the economy, and the environment, smart growth principles have been key to that success.
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Faced with the continued decay of America’s beloved and historic commercial cores across the country, the National Trust began their Main Street campaign in the 1970’s.What began as a pilot project among a few select Midwestern cities, has developed into one of the most successful economic generating preservation programs in history. The approach, patented by the Main Street organization, begins with local assets (community leaders, heritage, history, architecture, local businesses) and focuses the revitalization in four areas: Organization, Promotion, Design, and Economic Restructuring. The purpose of these focus areas is to establish a committee or group to provide an armature for each that can facilitate sustainable organization, building improvements, recruitment of new enterprises, production of events, and attracting people back downtown…
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