Events and Activities : Shellsburg Visioning event to show proposals for future improvements, Aug. 8

Shellsburg is participating in the Iowa Living Roadways “Community Visioning” program during 2013. Community Visioning is a long term planning process aimed at enhancing the town’s transportation components. This includes streets, sidewalks, lighting, signage, streetscape, parks, trails, and accessibility. The program utilizes expertise of Trees Forever, Iowa State University design and research students and a professional landscape architect. Several months have been spent gathering input from residents through a survey and various workshops. Many Shellsburg residents have participated in this process, providing ideas about changes they would like to see in the community.

A local Community Visioning Steering Committee was organized during the town’s application for this program in 2012. This steering committee is comprised of city government officials, business leaders, representatives of civic organizations, residents and youth. The committee has been meeting on a regular basis to review the public’s input and set priorities of various projects that could be designed.

The assigned landscape architect and his team have now completed their designs of proposed enhancements to Shellsburg. Displays of possible changes to the downtown streetscape, parks, signage and lighting have been created. There are even ideas diagramed about a couple possible trails. These displays will be available for the public to view during the hours of 4-8 p.m. on Thursday, August 8, at the Shellsburg American Legion.

Members of the design team and Community Visioning Steering Committee will be present to discuss ideas or answer questions. The Shellsburg Area Community Group is even providing ice cream treats for everyone. Anyone interested in this project is invited to stop by and spend time looking at the displays of these long term ideas for possible changes.

Further information may be obtained from Dustin Hinrichs at Trees Forever, phone 319-373-0650 or from Shellsburg resident, Nancy Thorkildson at 319-436-4542.