Residents invited to be part of the conversation
Jefferson will be the classroom this semester for Iowa State University seniors and graduate students doing studio work in “retail-scapes,” a rather new term for many facets of community design.
Jefferson Matters: Main Street has partnered with the Greene County Chamber of Commerce and the city of Jefferson to offer the ISU College of Design students an opportunity to develop specific projects for Jefferson.
Jefferson residents and business owners are invited to interact with the students Wednesday, Jan. 27, from 5 to 5:45 pm at Jefferson city hall, second floor. People of all ages, interests, business and service sectors, organizations and volunteers are encouraged to get involved.
The students in the retail-scapes studio class are studying architecture, landscape architecture, interior design, graphic design and community planning. They gain experience in working with experts in fields other than their own to determine a community identity or vision.
Instructor for the retail-scapes studio class is Lisa Bates, wife of Jefferson-Scranton graduate Andy Bates. Ashley Danielson, a J-S 2011 graduate who is in her final year at Iowa State studying architecture, is in the class.
Students will research the community using Jefferson Matters’ recent market analysis, image assessment, printed materials and online resources. The next step is to interview local stakeholders before deciding on projects for Jefferson.
The students will visit the community as a group four times during the semester. The initial visit Jan. 27 will include driving and walking tours in the early afternoon. The students will meet one-on-one with interested residents at the city hall meeting.
Follow-up meetings will be held Feb. 22, March 28, and April 25.
