In February, Helper City received a Sustainability Design Assistance Team (SDAT) grant. This grant was given by the American Institute of Architects and is geared toward assisting in the Helper Revitalization project.
Those in charge of the grant bring in teams of experts that include architects, urban designers, planners and more that work with the community leaders and citizens. This results in an assessment that assists to frame future policies and solutions as well as help to be proactive.
During the Helper City Council meeting that took place on May 5, revitalization program member Lenise Peterman brought the council members an update on the grant. Peterman provided to all council members a biography of Darrel Williams, the gentleman that has been assigned as the SDAT team lead. That was a recent development and Peterman wished for the council to have his credentials for their records.
She also provided a preliminary schedule. A visit from the senior director in Washington DC and one of her colleagues as well as the team lead have been scheduled. The objective of that meeting is the talk about the various points included in the scheduling.
From that meeting, they will then select the remaining team members that will visit in September based on the challenges expressed. The fall visit will last a total of three days and will consist of the team members viewing the area in question as well as the surrounding area.
They will then speak with the community and gain input on concerns and ideas from local residents, interested groups and community leaders. From there, the team prepares a summary presentation of the findings that will be presented in a public meeting during the last day of their visit.
A final report will be created and provided to the entire community. The report is provided, typically, approximately two to four months after the visit. The community will receive the report via electronic form. It will also be posted to the AIA website.
