Charette Planned to Discuss 191 Development
By: Guy Andrews, Odessa Chamber of Commerce
Updated: February 14, 2012
What is the "SH 191 Corridor Design Charrette?"
A charrette is an intensive planning session where citizens, designers, public officials and others collaborate on a vision for development. It provides a forum for ideas and offers the unique advantage of giving immediate feedback to the designers. More importantly, it allows everyone who participates to be a mutual author of the plan.
The intensive SH 191 Corridor Design Charrette will take place over 3 days with the resulting "Corridor" plan to be presented for discussion at a "Summit" meeting of Ector and Midland County Commissions and the City Councils of Midland and Odessa. Texas Department of Transportation and MOTOR Metropolitan Planning Organization representatives will also be in attendance.
The charrette will be located near the project site at the Midland International Airport Conference Room. The team of design experts and consultants have set up a full working office, complete with drafting equipment, supplies, computers, copy machines, fax machines, and telephones. Formal and informal meetings will be held throughout the event and updates to the plan will be presented periodically.
Through brainstorming and design activity, many goals are accomplished during the charrette. First, everyone who has a stake in the project develops a vested interest in the ultimate vision. Second, the design team works together to produce a set of finished documents that address all aspects of design. Third, since the input of all the players is gathered at one event, it is possible to avoid the prolonged discussions that typically delay conventional planning projects. Finally, the finished result is produced more efficiently and cost-effectively because the process is collaborative.
Charrettes are organized to encourage the participation of all. That includes everyone who is interested in the development of the corridor: developers, business interests, government officials, interested residents, and activists.
Ultimately, the purpose of the charrette is to give all the participants enough information to make good decisions during the planning process.
A Historical Note -- Origins of the Word "Charrette" - The term "charrette" is derived from the French word for "little cart." In Paris during the 19th century, professors at the Ecole de Beaux Arts circulated with little carts to collect final drawings from their students. Students would jump on the "charrette" to put finishing touches on their presentation minutes before the deadline.
Sponsoring Organizations
The SH 191 Corridor Project is being funded and managed by the MOTOR Metropolitan Planning Organization, with technical assistance being provided by the Texas Department of Transportation, the Counties of Ector and Midland and the Cities of Midland and Odessa. The consulting firms of Freese and Nichols and Townscape, LLC are conducting the Charrette.
The Working SH 191 Corridor Design Charrette
The following events are being held at the Midland International Airport Conference Room.
Actual working Charrette
Tuesday, December 13, 14, and 15th, 8 until 5 pm
The elected and appointed officials and the public may drop by to observe
Dennis Wilson Overview Presentation
Tuesday, December 13th, 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Join us for an informative presentation by Dennis Wilson on Mixed Use Development, traditional town planning, value creation and multi-use streets. This is informative and is intended for elected and appointed officials. The public may also attend although this is not a public forum.
Review of 3 Scenarios Developed on the first day
Tuesday, December 13th, 7 pm to 9 pm
Review of 2 "semifinal" Scenarios Developed on the second day
Wednesday, December 14th, 7 pm to 9 pm
Summit Meeting and Public Forum
See all of the work completed during the intensive 3 day SH 191 Corridor Design Charrette at the Summit/ Public Meeting. Elected and appointed officials will be in attendance and the public is invited to attend this critical meeting to review the design plan for the SH 191 Corridor.
When: Thursday, December 15th
Meeting Time: Open House at 6:30 p.m. Presentation and Discussions start promptly at 7 p.m.
Location: Atmos Energy Building, Fischer Community Rm., 2304 Loop 40, Midland, 79706
A charrette is an intensive planning session where citizens, designers, public officials and others collaborate on a vision for development. It provides a forum for ideas and offers the unique advantage of giving immediate feedback to the designers. More importantly, it allows everyone who participates to be a mutual author of the plan.
The intensive SH 191 Corridor Design Charrette will take place over 3 days with the resulting "Corridor" plan to be presented for discussion at a "Summit" meeting of Ector and Midland County Commissions and the City Councils of Midland and Odessa. Texas Department of Transportation and MOTOR Metropolitan Planning Organization representatives will also be in attendance.
The charrette will be located near the project site at the Midland International Airport Conference Room. The team of design experts and consultants have set up a full working office, complete with drafting equipment, supplies, computers, copy machines, fax machines, and telephones. Formal and informal meetings will be held throughout the event and updates to the plan will be presented periodically.
Through brainstorming and design activity, many goals are accomplished during the charrette. First, everyone who has a stake in the project develops a vested interest in the ultimate vision. Second, the design team works together to produce a set of finished documents that address all aspects of design. Third, since the input of all the players is gathered at one event, it is possible to avoid the prolonged discussions that typically delay conventional planning projects. Finally, the finished result is produced more efficiently and cost-effectively because the process is collaborative.
Charrettes are organized to encourage the participation of all. That includes everyone who is interested in the development of the corridor: developers, business interests, government officials, interested residents, and activists.
Ultimately, the purpose of the charrette is to give all the participants enough information to make good decisions during the planning process.
A Historical Note -- Origins of the Word "Charrette" - The term "charrette" is derived from the French word for "little cart." In Paris during the 19th century, professors at the Ecole de Beaux Arts circulated with little carts to collect final drawings from their students. Students would jump on the "charrette" to put finishing touches on their presentation minutes before the deadline.
Sponsoring Organizations
The SH 191 Corridor Project is being funded and managed by the MOTOR Metropolitan Planning Organization, with technical assistance being provided by the Texas Department of Transportation, the Counties of Ector and Midland and the Cities of Midland and Odessa. The consulting firms of Freese and Nichols and Townscape, LLC are conducting the Charrette.
The Working SH 191 Corridor Design Charrette
The following events are being held at the Midland International Airport Conference Room.
Actual working Charrette
Tuesday, December 13, 14, and 15th, 8 until 5 pm
The elected and appointed officials and the public may drop by to observe
Dennis Wilson Overview Presentation
Tuesday, December 13th, 5:30 pm to 7:00 pm
Join us for an informative presentation by Dennis Wilson on Mixed Use Development, traditional town planning, value creation and multi-use streets. This is informative and is intended for elected and appointed officials. The public may also attend although this is not a public forum.
Review of 3 Scenarios Developed on the first day
Tuesday, December 13th, 7 pm to 9 pm
Review of 2 "semifinal" Scenarios Developed on the second day
Wednesday, December 14th, 7 pm to 9 pm
Summit Meeting and Public Forum
See all of the work completed during the intensive 3 day SH 191 Corridor Design Charrette at the Summit/ Public Meeting. Elected and appointed officials will be in attendance and the public is invited to attend this critical meeting to review the design plan for the SH 191 Corridor.
When: Thursday, December 15th
Meeting Time: Open House at 6:30 p.m. Presentation and Discussions start promptly at 7 p.m.
Location: Atmos Energy Building, Fischer Community Rm., 2304 Loop 40, Midland, 79706
