It will be impossible to integrate the school if Willow Street continues to be a highway.

Good Point A,
There should be pedestrian and cycling improvements along Willow even if the school did not apply for Safe Routes to Schools programs.
What kind of improvements are you thinking?

I've been to one of the meetings about the school design. I was impressed by the turnout t the meeting, by the thinking of the architects, and the quality of the design. See http://bit.ly/aKDgKK and http://bit.ly/aIKHTS for more.

I can't believe that the mural on the outside of East Rock will not be hanging on the new building! The Art teacher and all of the students of East Rock created this beautiful piece of art! It is an outrage!!!!

At previous meetings the architect and School Construction representatives said they would save the mural. They are looking for an appropriate location to relocate the mural.

As far as traffic calming goes, there were some minor improvements to the Mitchell/Willow intersection on the design. I agree that more needs to be done.

Justin Elicker
Ward 10 Alderman
justin.elicker@gmail.com

Thanks Justin,
Would you keep us updated here as meetings come up regarding the school.

Ben, great idea; a community garden would be excellent.

I'll definitely keep folks updated and keep pushing on the traffic calming issue which is desperately needed.

Justin Elicker
Ward 10 Alderman
justin.elicker@gmail.com

Hey Justin,
Any new news on this School?

Hey Ben,

The interior demolition is proceeding. The school design is just about set. I am told there will be attempts made to match the brick color to East Rock. The mural will be saved and incorporated into the new school. The suggestion has been made to hang it in the gymnasium, but nothing is set in stone. The community Garden is a great idea. I had actually thought of having students grow vegetables there and perhaps bring them to the upper state street market to sell. I think it would be good to continue to engage the students even after school is out. A good way to teach about urban farming and maintaining a small business.

Matt Smith
Ward 9 Alderman
mattsmithward9@gmail.com

Thanks Matt,
Is there a list of parents and students we could pass this to to get feedback?

I love the idea of incorporating a garden. This is quite successful at the other school in Westville.

Hey Matt,
That would be excellent to have students selling veggies from the garden at the Upper State Market.

The new school is smaller in scale and much more suited to the surrounding blocks.

Beautiful work. Hopefully we can send our some there one day.