BY LISA HORNE, PLA, LEED AP BD+C

Have you ever considered the possibility that China might invade the United States via a park situated next to a railroad in the middle of Kansas?  Me neither – at least not until this concern was raised at a public meeting.  While this is an extreme example, it illustrates how truly unpredictable the public input process can be.  When I ask municipal clients how much public input they would like to incorporate in a park or trail project, there is sometimes (understandably) a slight pause. But, with thoughtful preparation and an experienced consultant, it can be fun, can shape the project in meaningful ways, and can add a layer of community investment to the process.

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With construction set to begin soon on Phase I of the City of Georgetown’s San Gabriel Park renovation, RVi Project Manager Drew Carman recently presented his team’s work on the spring restoration aspect of the project’s design. Speaking at the Williamson County Conservation Foundation’s Texas Conservation Symposium earlier this month, Drew detailed the research and inspiration behind restoring the first of three important springs which run through the park.

Although San Gabriel Park is a historic location for the Georgetown salamander, no salamanders have been reported in the project area since 1991. “This spring restoration is the result of a collaborative effort between science and design. We worked hand-in-hand with biologists at Cambrian Environmental to design and recreate ideal habitat conditions. It is our hope that this restoration will encourage the Georgetown salamander to come back to the site.” Drew said. As part of the process, the team also received guidance from the Williamson County Conservation Foundation Adaptive Management Working Group, which is charged with helping to protect the Georgetown Salamander and ensure compliance with the 4(d) Rule of the Endangered Species Act.

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BY HALEY BARTLEY

The Real Estate Council of Austin (RECA) selects an elite group of young professionals every year for its Leadership Development Council (LDC). The LDC Selection Committee seeks candidates from a variety of different backgrounds and walks of life, with a mission to educate and develop them for future leadership roles. The program is aimed at ensuring that RECA will continue to be led by “a diverse group of real estate professionals with extensive knowledge of Austin, the surrounding communities, and the real estate issues facing these areas.”

Among those 16 professionals chosen for this year’s class is Jesse Van Wick, landscape architect and project manager here at RVi. Jesse has been involved with RECA for the past five years and has previously volunteered through RECA for Christmas in October and It’s My Park Day. He also regularly attends RECA lunches and networking opportunities, and he stepped into the boxing ring as a fighter at RECA’s Knock Out Night in 2015.

As a member of RECA’s Leadership Development Council, he and his 15 counterparts will spend this year building relationships and learning about issues currently facing the City of Austin. They will also be primarily responsible for an event called Christmas in October and the creation of a white paper concerning the current affordable housing situation. The white paper is intended to focus on improving methods to plan, fund, and execute reasonable affordable housing options in Austin. Christmas in October will focus on giving back to the community through fundraising and the coordination of the annual volunteer event. Congratulations, Jesse!

Say congrats to Jesse via the RVi Blog ››