Residents share city design ideas
Published 10:01 am Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Art displayed in downtown business fronts. Expanded walking trails connecting parks. Picnic areas. More splashpads.
These were just some of the ideas residents shared Tuesday night at a public meeting to discuss plans for redesigning Brewton’s parks and public spaces — and there will be more opportunity today, as meetings continue to discuss specific areas of town.
The design firm of Goodwin, Mills and Cawood has been contracted to help the city redesign its parks and gateways, and residents area invited to share their ideas as well.
“We want to be the most attractive city in our region,” said Connie Baggett, Brewton’s director of program management.
Designer Cathy Gerachis said the firm will use the community’s suggestions as it makes design plans to be presented later this year.
“It’s critical to hear what people who know Brewton best think,” said Larry Watts, also of Goodwin Mills and Cawood.
During Tuesday’s meeting, residents broke up into four small groups to brainstorm ideas for each area — downtown, parks and gateways, Alco and Sowell Road.
Those four areas will also be a focus of meetings today in the city hall conference room. The schedule includes:
• 9 a.m., Sowell Road neighborhood
• 10 a.m., Alco neighborhood
• 2 p.m., downtown
• 4 p.m., beautification committee/parks.
Throughout the day, there will be a come and go open house in city council chambers to discuss the design ideas.
Gerachis said the design plans, when drawn up, will be presented to the public in another open house, likely to be held in June.