Residents form Design Committee to take part in planning the new High Point

Participants have their say on parks and housing design 

How can a new park at High Point serve all age groups?  Should there be a jogging trail around the new High Point Pond? The High Point resident design committee had a chance to mull over and express their opinions about these and other questions at their third meeting, December 7, 2002. The committee meets on the first Saturday of the month at Holly Hall.  Meetings are open to all residents and provide a way for residents to have a say on important design ideas.

In November, resident volunteers spent two hours poring over different floor plans for the two, three, four and five bedroom units.  Brian Sullivan of Mithun Architects gave a presentation to show how residents' ideas from summer design sessions had been incorporated into the latest designs.  Participants identified areas still needing attention, including placement of first floor bathroom doors and the addition of entry areas in smaller units.  Residents also commented on the buildings' street appearance and some exterior design features.

At the December meeting, participants "voted" on appropriate features for the Central Park, three neighborhood parks, the pond park and 12 pocket parks.  Around the pond, participants wanted an exercise path, benches, a place for water play and group sitting.

 

	Ideas for the Central Park gathering six or more votes were swings, a gathering place, and a lawn for play.

At the January meeting, the committee had its first chance to review the building designs for the new rental units. The architects showed how the buildings will be placed around pocket parks and how different building types would be located on the site. Residents raised questions about safety and other concerns to which the architects will respond at the future meetings.

One committee member said that, "The design meetings are informative. SHA seems to be listening to our ideas and incorporating them into the plan. We love being involved in the planning process."

For additional information on the High Point revitalization, please click here.

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