Representatives from Drury University and the University of Missouri Extension Service appeared before the Noel City Council on Tuesday, July 12, with a proposal for community visioning.
Jeff Barber, architect with the University of Missouri Extension, said the partnership had worked last fall with Anderson and Pineville in coming up with a community vision for 20 to 25 years down the road. The project would involve bringing several fourth-year architecture students to the town to meet with residents and together come up with ideas. Each student will spend about 300 hours working on the project, Barber said.
Jay Garrott of Drury University said the process is highly collaborative and works toward helping the community articulate what they would like to see in town in the next 20 to 25 years. It is a process of trying to develop community consensus, he added.
Dirk Deaton, of the Noel Betterment Association, said the organization wants to partner with the city by paying for half the cost, which would be $2,830, leaving another $2,830 for the city to pay. Deaton commented that the cost is nominal compared to hiring an architectural firm.
"I encourage you all to think about it. I think it's a real good opportunity for us," he said.
Barber told the council that one of the biggest challenges facing small towns is losing their graduates every year. He said the visioning process would be a good chance to get young people involved in making Noel a town they might want to come back to after college.
Mayor John Lafley commented, "I'd be willing to put my money toward it because I think Noel needs to look ahead."
The council took no action on the proposal.
General News on 07/21/2016