St. Louis Park officials say it's time to re-group and discuss the future of the city.

City and school district officials, members of TwinWest Chamber of Commerce, Children First and Park Nicollet are launching a new planning effort to build upon the 1995 strategic planning initiative "Vision St. Louis Park."

"Now that 10 years have passed, it's time to gather once again and move the community forward," said Mayor Jeff Jacobs in a news release.

The 1995 visioning process resulted in significant changes in the city, including the $150 million Excelsior and Grand development, and the construction of the Town Green and the Veterans' Memorial Amphitheater.

A meeting to discuss the visioning process is planned from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18, at City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd.

The meeting is designed to train attendees to serve as interviewers who will be asked to bring the visioning process to their organizations, such as scout troops, religious institutions and neighborhood groups.

According to City Manager Tom Harmening, the 2005 visioning process will differ significantly from the 1995 process.

Harmening said the 1995 visioning process surveyed residents about problems and opportunities facing the city, then asked task forces to recommend steps to address those issues.

The new approach will be "appreciative inquiry," which asks participants to share stories about the things they like in St. Louis Park.

"The theory behind this approach is that communities grow toward what they talk about," Harmening said. "Rather than focus on the negative, this approach focuses on positives that we can build upon."

Participants in the 2005 visioning process will be paired with another participant and asked to tell something they like or value in St. Louis Park, according to city officials. Initial question topics will focus on four areas: transportation, connectivity, healthy environment and urban design/redevelopment.

The McKnight Foundation has given the city $30,000 to cover some of the visioning costs, which include organizational development consulting services from Mobius Inc. McKnight has also pledged the city a $25,000 challenge grant that would be awarded if the city raises $12,500 in contributions.

The visioning process is designed to initiate hundreds of conversations in the coming months, according to the city. St. Louis Park staff will compile the common themes and present them in a town meeting slated for this fall. Early next year, vision organizers will issue a report detailing the community vision and list options for citizen involvement and recommendations for action.

For more information on the visioning process or how to become an interviewer, call Martha McDonell, outreach coordinator, at 952-924-2613 before the Aug. 18 meeting.

- Compiled by Teri Kelsh

What's next:

What: St. Louis Park visioning process

When: 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18

Where: City Hall, 5005 Minnetonka Blvd.

Information: 952-924-2613 (Martha McDonell)

Current Rating: 0 of 0 votes!

Rate File: Select Rating: * ** *** ****