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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003 10 13 Other - Document was Referenced by Deputy Mayor Miller during Reports Date: 101303 The following Document was referenced by Deputy Mayor Miller on 10/13/03 during "Reports" . ~ i ROBERT S. MILLER Commissioner, District One Winter Springs 22 September 2003 Subject: Reston Conference Highlights on Town Centers. To: Winter Springs City Commission. I attended the 11-12 September 2003 conference on "Place Making: Developing Town Centers, Transit Villages, and Main Streets. " It was a valuable occasion for cities involved in town centers like ours, to better understand the latest developments in Town Centers nationwide, and to review what has worked and not worked. In almost all areas Winter Springs seemed to be on the right track. Several points kept coming through over and over as the various speakers and panels described what was good and what was not. Among those contributing to success were the following main points:. 1. Always strive to include things which congregate people, such as : 1. Great public places 2. Amenities designed visually and aesthetically to please 3. An attractive environment. 2. Leaders involved in the design of town centers must remember the following which are too often forgotten: 1. I will not put parking in front! 2. I will not turn my back on main streets! 3. My main street stores will have front doors that open! 4. I will not allow things that detract from the overall image! 3. Planners encouraged city leaders to always keep in mind that cars and people don't mix well in town centers, and that: 1. The road to Hell... is paved with good intentions 2. The road to Hell ... is paved with bad inventions 3. And that the road to Hell.... Is paved! 4. So the more public amenities such as parks. green areas. trees and landscaping - the better. 4. Above all, to always remember that Town Centers are about creating VALUE for a bi!!:!!:er community. and thus require attention to FLEXIBILITY over time to accommodate change as it occurs. l .11 5. One of the most prevalent and reoccurring features in successful town centers nationally were trulv e:reat water features of all types. The conference closed emphasizing GREAT PUBLIC SPACES as one of the key features which contribute to enduring Town Center successes over time. If the public wants to "hang out" there, to eat, socialize, play, learn, or maybe just watch their children, they will keep coming because it's a Great Place. The single area in which the Winter Springs Town Center seemed to have made a poor design choice to date, was allowing the planned Wendy's drive through to completely surr that store. This issue should be urgently revisited if possible to re-address this ssue beft re construction begins.. CC: . City Commission . Mayor . City Manager . City Attorney · City Planning Staff ~' ROBERT S. MILLER Commissioner, District One Winter Springs 22 September 2003 Subject: Reston Conference Highlights on Town Centers. To: Winter Springs City Commission. I attended the 11-12 September 2003 conference on "Place Making: Developing Town Centers, Transit Villages, and Main Streets. " It was a valuable occasion for cities involved in town centers like ours, to better understand the latest deyelopments in Town Centers nationwide, and to review what has worked and not worked. In almost all areas Winter Springs seemed to be on the right track. Several points kept coming through over and over as the various speakers and panels described what was good and what was not. Among those contributing to success were the following main points:. 1. Always strive to include things which congregate people, such as : 1. Great public places 2. Amenities designed visually and aesthetically to please 3. An attractive environment. 2. Leaders involved in the design of town centers must remember the following which are too often forgotten: 1. I will not put parking in front! 2. I will not turn my back on main streets! 3. My main street stores will have front doors that open! 4. I will not allow things that detract from the overall image! 3. Planners encouraged city leaders to always keep in mind that cars and people don't mix well in town centers, and that: 1. The road to Hell... is paved with good intentions 2. The road to Hell ... is paved with bad inventions 3. And that the road to Hell.... Is paved! 4. So the more public amenities such as parks. green areas. trees and landscaping - the better. 4. Above all, to always remember that Town Centers are about creating VALUE for a bie:e:er community. and thus require attention to FLEXIBILITY over time to accommodate change as it occurs. ;.'; ;; '" 5. One of the most prevalent and reoccurring features in successful town centers nationally were truly e:reat water features of all types. The conference closed emphasizing GREAT PUBLIC SPACES as one of the key features which contribute to enduring Town Center successes over time. If the public wants to "hang out" there, to eat, socialize, play, learn, or maybe just watch their children, they will keep coming because it's a Great Place. The single area in which the Winter Springs Town Center seemed to have made a poor design choice to date, was allowing the planned Wendy's drive through to completely surr that store. This issue should be urgently revisited if possible to re-address this . ssue beti re construction begins.. CC: . City Commission . Mayor . City Manager . City Attorney . . City Planning Staff