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Saturday, September 9, 2006 - Following Friday night's flurry of iPod-powered activity, a week's worth of effort - local study, stakeholder engagement, traditional land planning and architectural development - comes to a close today as the design team completes their work and prepares for a late afternoon presentation to Founder Herb Freeman.
Friday, perhaps more than any other day, was about the refinement of ideas. Loose concepts, random thoughts and wild-eyed dreams generated during the week began coming together and assuming a coherent form. Blocks took shape, forming lots where architectural ideas could be tested. Widths and other criteria were established for primary routes, secondary streets and alleys. Independent pieces such as the town center became integrated with the whole, and the fine mix of housing types, commercial and civic spaces became increasingly clear.
In a burst of Midwestern wisdom, real estate broker L. Scott Momsen summed up the progress: "The Jello's been poured into the mold," he said, "and it's beginning to set."
Midday saw a consistent stream of visitors as those close to the process dropped in to chat with Herb and review work. Among them were representatives from Omaha's public works departments who, as observed by former planning director Bob Peters, seemed "impressed and favorable… expressing some encouraging support for the arterial's evolving boulevard concept."
This was good news, reflecting a true openness to new ideas, so long as such ideas could be proven viable. Based on the performance of countless well-loved places nationwide, both historic and new, where traditional forms exist and perform well, the team had no doubt in their ability to do so.
As day faded into night and take-out Indian food had come and gone, it seemed the task at hand had only gotten started. A real place, it seems, requires real work.
Call it a labor of love.
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 Join in on the creation.
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Architecture
