Envisioning Regional Design: The Flatwater Metroplex brought together more than 150 architects, planners and stakeholders at the SAC Museum to craft a vision for the rapidly growing Metroplex region. Results of Sept. 13-14 charrette were presented by noted planner George M. Crandall, FAIA, at the opening of the AIA Central States Conference at the Durham Western Heritage Museum in Omaha. The Five Domains concept provided the platform for comprehensive analysis of the six scenarios outlined below.  The recently completed Envisioning Regional Design: The Flatwater Metroplex Report may be read online and/or downloaded to your desktop. Downtown Urban Core Center, Lincoln's Antelope Valley to P St. The central focus of this charrrette will be the 'P' Street corridor linking the Haymarket District to the Antelope Vally Parkway. What conditions and attributes will successfully transform 'P' Street into the downtown's primary retail streetscape maximizing retail, housing, and employment opportunities; integrating and enhancing transportation options; and enriching economic, social, and cultural foundations? view project details Communities in the Path of Growth, Ashland By 2050 it is estimated that as many as 250,000 commuters will travel from other counties to jobs in Douglas and Sarpy counties alone, leaving many outlying communities struggling to keep up with housing demands and infrastructure costs while coping with the loss of community and culture, farmland, and historic and natural areas. This charrette examines how a small I-80 community can address challenges and opportunities.view project details I-80 Corridor Environs This charrette examines how this 50-mile, six-lane corridor linking Nebraska's two largest cities will determine future quality of life for Metroplex communities and ecosystems. Special focus was given to interchanges at exits 420 (Greenwood exit) and 426 (Ashland, Mahoney Park and SAC Museum exit) and to a new interchange at Pflug Road in soutwestern Sarpy County. view project details Suburban Conservation Community, Rural Bennington This charrette explores alternatives to the typical pattern of suburban and acreage development occuring on rural lands near the Omaha metro. Examine how rural lands can offer affordable, sustainable living environments that protect river corridors, natural water sheds and water resources while creating or protecting natural habitat for indigenous wildlife and conserving valuable productive land for continued farming. view project details Near Urban Core Neighborhood, Omaha's Drake Court District Examine how the revitalization of a historic four-block, inner city housing project can spark tranformation of the surrounding neighborhood into a vibrant downtown community. This charrette explores opportunities and attributes for sustainable development through the blending of mixed uses, mixed income, and revitalized commercial and housing accommodations. view project details Transformation of Regional Shopping Mall, Fremont Underutilized malls and big box stores litter the American landscape. More than half billion square feet of retail space sits empty. These places are often underutilized because they are oriented only to cars and are cut off from neighborhoods by high-speed, multi-lane roads. This charrette examines how a 40-year-old Fremont shopping mall could be transformed and revitalized into a transit-oriented, pedestrian-friendly neghborhood center. view project details The general charrette workbook used by charrette participants is available for download: Charrette Workbook Also, thanks to Alexander Garvin for use of three aerial photographs on this page. Mr. Garvin is a public realm strategist contracted by the NIZC to assess the I-80 Corridor area. Visit his website for additional details.