Residents in Passaic County, New Jersey, have assumed the power of urban re-design, as community charrettes from early 2006 have resulted in county grants of $164,000 to revitalize numerous main streets in the county.
"A group of residents and shop owners recently put their dreams on paper: trees shading sidewalks, wide and textured sidewalks, landscaped plazas with resting benches, flower pots, fountains and outdoor cafes."
"That's just a taste of what local folks envisioned, according to a study conducted by a Rutgers University urban planning professor hired by Passaic County planning officials. The county received a $164,000 grant from the state to help revitalize main streets in communities such as Pompton Lakes and Bloomingdale."
Many in the community are welcoming the participation and effort of the public, but city officials are hesitant to begin celebrations. Even though the funding has come through, the revitalizations could be years away. However, the process has shown promise for planning officials that the public can play an interested role in community development.
FULL STORY: A town creates a 'vision' for future
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