Climate Change and Personal Responsibility

Here I am standing in my back yard. I live on two acres just outside Dallas Center. With a 1800 sf footprint for my house, garage and a shed, about 1.5 of those acres has at least 3 feet of snow and as you see, some places more.

There is a lot of discussion these days regarding whether there is or isn't "global warming". It often centers around the fact that is snowing everywhere. This winter seems to be more than I can recall since my days on the farm in the early '70's. We'd dig tunnels in the drifts when school was cancelled like my daughter and I have been doing now. But regardless of your position on climate change, I don't believe there can be debate of the fact that the earth is a finite resource.

Someday, coal, natural gas, and oil will be depleted. Long before that happens, I hope for a few things. First, I hope we have found sufficient replacement fuel sources. I hope they are renewable sources such as wind and solar. Bio-mass is being explored also, but it has not had the accomplishments of solar and wind. Second, I hope as a society, we have learned to consume less and guard the resources we have better. The second wish is the most ambitious.

Iowa is working hard to make wind and solar an export industry for our state. We are 4th in the nation in wind as a resource. The state and industry are partnering to create the infrastructure to transport that energy for market. There are companies that continue to develope solar power geration tecniques to increase the efficiency and reduce the costs.

Simonson is working with IDED to try to achieve the second goal. Sustainable design is about reducing consumption and waste while replenishing the natural systems through water management, waste management, and energy conservation. Most of the work presenteed on our Sustainable Woodbine site so far has been about storm water management and healthier living through recreation (trails, community center).

We are getting ready to begin our Task C component that will focus on the Whitmore building downtown as a template for energy efficient rehabilitation. This project will provide examples of tecniques that can be used throughout the community, new and rehab, to increase the efficiency of the buildings in Woodbine. we will continue to post those concepts on the web site to allow you to use them to improve your buildings or homes.

I hope that you will join us in these efforts to grow to be more energy independent, food source independent, and good stewards of our communities. We have a lot to learn from each other.

I'd like to hear from you. Two reasons. My wife keeps me grounded by letting me know when I'm wrong and I'd like you to do the same. And as far as I know, I'm talking to myself in cyber space. Is there anybody out there?

The Small Things: Just Getting Started

As I was eating my lunch today, I was reading the article at the following link
http://www.grist.org/article/2010-02-01-how-personal-actions-can-kick-start-a-sustainability-revolution The article is about the debate if small things matter when the large things are so daunting. The basic answer is yes. Every little thing adds up and by making the little steps and creating good habits, we will be able to influence those around us through our actions.
So I dug the recyclable container out of the trash I just threw away, washed it, and placed it in the bin. I often do this anyway, but I sometimes let myself think I am in too much of a hurry to take that 2 minutes it takes to do this. Lead thru deed. Talk to you soon

It's February Already

I was in Woodbine to present our progress, Friday, the 29th. There was a good turnout. Mostly the usual suspects. I presented the images that are on the web site http://www.simonsonassoc.com/woodbine/wu_01-29-2010.html These images track the current progress. We will be developing some additional maser planning ideas for the community as a whole. I will upload updates every Thursday and try to comment as often as new work is posted. There are a couple of pages that talk about plant material. I'd love to get some feedback on those. I know there has been some planting that has begun in different locations and I would like to build on that work w/ similar material. So take a look at what is there and send me some feedback. Also if you are reading these, please indicate that you are following. I'd like to get an idea of how often it is read. There are pages on site furnishings that could stand to have some feedback also. Other than that we highlighted some of the intersections that are along sixth and the work that is being done. I have added an image here for the amphitheatre. More will be uploaded to the web site this week.

Design Workshop Images

I thought I would put some commentary to the images from the design workshop to help those that were unable to participate understand some of what is presented. We knew our primary focus would be to enhance the community in support of the work already being done through the Mainstreet Iowa program. This program focuses on Walker Street and economic vitality for Woodbine as a whole.

The intersection of Walker and 6th Street provides an opportunity to create a focal point at the north end of down town. This intersection is also a focal point for 6th Street as you look east from the water tower park. The top image is 6th Street from the water tower park to Walker. The width of 6th provides ample opportunity to create a boulevard. This boulevard will enhance the aesthetic and create a pedestrian connection from the park to downtown. There are also many opportunities to introduce enhanced stormwater management practices.

We had a lot of input on the area adjacent to the school. One idea was that the elementary children needed a bit better play area. The asphalt parking lot works, but a grassy playground area would be better. The chain link fence provides protection, but does nothing to enhance the experience. Different gate ideas were discussed.

The image in the top right corner is walker from 6th to just past the eye brow gas station. The drawing shows some landscape enhancements and corner treatments. At the south end of the street we have shown a potential amphitheatre area adjacent to the eye brow gas station and a skate park across the street.

The skate park was an idea that takes advantage of a hard to use triangular piece of land. The adjacency to the rail tracks brings challenges and opportunities. This would be a good idea to explore in connection w/ the amphitheatre. The amphitheatre is a combination of ideas brought forth by the high school students and others at the workshop. The concept is to provide a fire pit/stage that is two sided so it can be used in multiple settings. It provides a gathering location adjacent to the community information building that would be visible from the highway. The opposite side would be a screen over the stage for movies or other projection. The fireplace/fire pit would be incorporated so smaller groups could gather. The site has a natural slope that works for the amphitheatre w/ some grading.

Below the 6th Street image are two old postcards. (2) An idea was brought up to create highway signs reminiscent of the old Burma Shave signs. This could even be a scout project.

The bottom of the page has 12 images in two rows. Left to right, top to bottom they are:
Sections, elevations, and details: Water tower park section, intersection plan detail, amphitheatre section looking north, fire pit concept elevation, and 6th street section
North Woodbine entrance plan
South woodbine entrance plan
Gate concepts for the park adjacent to the school
Walker and 6th focal point concepts.
Walker and 6th focal point concepts.
Walker and 6th focal point concepts.
Elevator concept and water tower image
Elevator concepts
Elevator concepts
Elevator concepts
Elevator concepts

The elevator as icon is a concept that has been in Woodbine for some time. It has great opportunity to celebrate the agricultural history while projecting aspirations for the future.

These are the ideas that will be explored along w/ some additional development that incorporates a community master plan. We will try to make this a process that identifies the decision making process used as we progress and allows for feedback. Please let me know your thoughts and impressions.