Author Archives: Ed Fuhrmann

Always some Webinars out there!

Posted on December 15, 2015

Not being in the Urban Planning profession (at least, not YET), our group members tend not to attend regional and national-level meetings, conferences, trade-shows, etc., targeted at those who deal with aspects of “Placemaking” on a daily basis. Doesn’t mean we’re … Continue reading →

Posted in Meeting / Webinar | Leave a comment

Another skinny example

Posted on November 30, 2015

The subdivided retail unit next to the Round Lake Beach Kohl’s is STILL vacant. (We’ve been coming up with examples of other, successful businesses and activities which could make use of the space, but no takers so far. As shown in our original post about … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Design, Downtown, Economics | Leave a comment

Yay! Another Strip Mall!

Posted on November 8, 2015

Well, it was time for more “growth”, so they broke out the ol’ “What Should We Build Next?” Wheel.  When the “Build a Downtown” option fell off decades ago, it was replaced with “Spin Again”. They since have gotten so used to all the options … Continue reading →

Posted in Bicycling, Business, Design, Downtown, Planning, Walkability | 1 Comment

Orchard Lane – Opportunity

Posted on October 9, 2015

If you don’t have time to read this entire post, we’re making a pitch for the newly-resurfaced pavement on Orchard Lane to receive markings designating pedestrian crosswalks ACROSS (East/West) it, as well as using the opportunity to stripe a Bicycle … Continue reading →

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A look at LZ’s “Rock The Block”

Posted on September 11, 2015

While we don’t have to “copy” other villages and towns for ideas of what to do in our own, it is prudent to see what works (and what doesn’t) for our neighbors AND find out the “why” and “how” in each case. … Continue reading →

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Webinar – Walkability: The Health and Wellness Equation

Posted on August 3, 2015

Webinar – Walkability: The Health and Wellness Equation Date and Time: Wednesday Aug 6th, 2015 at 1pm Central Time Cost: FREE (Advanced online registration required) Learn the strategies and steps that are making towns, of all sizes, healthy and accessible … Continue reading →

Posted in Health, Meeting / Webinar, Walkability | Leave a comment

Vacant is as Vacant does

Posted on July 25, 2015

Decided to check for signs of life at the vacant retail unit next to Sally Beauty Supplies while getting some greeting cards at Ann’s Hallmark (same building as the Kohl’s). No sign of life. In fact, the “Unit For Lease” window … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Design, Downtown, Economics | 1 Comment

Webinar: “Building Your Fundraising Leadership Towards Walkable Communities”

Posted on July 20, 2015

Webinar: “Building Your Fundraising Leadership Towards Walkable Communities” Date: Monday, July 27th Time: 1PM CST Cost: FREE (Advanced online registration required) America Walks’ second series of “Walking College” webinars launches July 27th. Designed for the Walking College Fellowship program, and open … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Construction / Maintenance, Economics, Meeting / Webinar | Leave a comment

Our Former Applebee’s

Posted on July 16, 2015

[This post was started before the recent announcement about the re-purposing of the former RLB Applebee’s building. If this reads like it starts out in one direction, then changes course and heads another way, well… that’s exactly what happened.] Well, it’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Economics, Planning | Leave a comment

Repairing the “Fabric” of our Lives

Posted on July 13, 2014

Sorry, could’t help but borrow the line from the old Cotton marketing campaign. We’re going to take a very quick look at “Repair” and “Recycle” from the “R”s of Sustainability. (Reduce / Re-use / Recycle / Repair / Repurpose / Rehome) as they … Continue reading →

Posted in Business, Economics, Resilience | Leave a comment