The City of Carbondale hosted the APA Illinois State Section Spring Conference in downtown Carbondale on March 25-26, 2010.

Sessions highlighted projects in Southern Illinois and throughout Illinois. Carbondale City Manager Allen Gill reflected on the past year in Carbondale, including the drafting of a new comprehensive plan, and May 2009 storm event that qualified the area as a federal disaster area. Dr. Derek Paulson of Eastern Kentucky University discussed integrating crime prevention methods during the early stages of site design. Shawnee Hills Wine Trail’s Alan Dillard presented the formation of the wine trail, how it has impacted tourism and the local economy, and gave an entertaining overview of some of the wines produced in Southern Illinois. In other sessions, the Kendig Keast Collaborative provided an overview of Carbondale’s new Comprehensive Plan; Teska Associates, Inc. highlighted the City of Canton’s recent planning efforts; and Tom Henderson of the Illinois Tax Increment Association provided an overview of Illinois TIF regulations and how TIF’s can be used to revitalize blighted areas within a community. Southern Illinois University discussed Saluki Way, a current, major campus project that involves a new football stadium, arena renovations, and a new student services building, all of which will have a major impact on both the University and the City of Carbondale.

Over 35 APA members were in attendance. Six certification maintenance credit (CM) hours were available to AICP members, including a law credit. A warm thank you goes to Chris Wallace and the City of Carbondale for hosting the event, and a very special thanks to those who attended the 2010 Illinois State Section Spring Conference, the Illinois Chapter of the APA, and the Conference Sponsors who helped make this event possible.

 

Paula Freeze, Editor
editor@ilapa.org

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