reception, pass the potatoes announcement jan. 13
January 04, 2011
OMAHA – Omaha has begun the new year with a new environmental vision, and those responsible for creating it will pause to mark the occasion before the implementation process begins.
The Environment Omaha team will host a thank-you reception for the initiative’s many volunteers Thursday, Jan. 13, from 5:30 to 7:00pm at the Hot Shops Art Center, 1301 Nicholas St. Last month, the Omaha City Council voted 7-0 to adopt the Environment Omaha document as a component of the city’s master plan. The document, developed through a two-year process led by the City of Omaha and Omaha by Design, includes more than 600 recommendations in five sections – the natural environment, urban form and transportation, building construction, resource conservation and community health.
In addition to the reception, the winner of the Pass the Potatoes outreach effort will be announced. Pass the Potatoes, a virtual town hall event sponsored by Environment Omaha and powered by mindmixer, invited anyone interested in Omaha to submit ideas for improving the sustainability of the city.
During a 10-week period that ended Oct. 1, 2010, users submitted more than 100 ideas in five areas – preserving and enhancing Omaha’s natural environment; improving how people move around the city and determining what shape its future growth should take; improving the way Omaha builds, renovates and maintains its buildings; conserving the city’s natural resources; and improving Omaha’s overall health. All those who submitted ideas were recognized with community points. The top 50 point recipients have been invited to the Jan. 13 event.
A panel of local experts convened by Omaha by Design and city officials has reviewed the top ideas in each category – as determined by the event’s online voting process – and selected a citizen-inspired project for implementation in 2011.
For more information about Environment Omaha, visit www.environmentomaha.com. For more information about the event, contact Omaha by Design at 402.554.4010 or info@omahabydesign.org.