2013 Charrette

The Design Charrette is an intensive week-long event that brings together members of the community with planning and design professionals, architects, developers, environmental experts, and the local government to air tensions, resolve differences, and generate consensus on a plan for the future. A final report is published with renderings, maps, and detailed descriptions of the proposed ideas. At the request of residents of the Village of El Portal, the Village Council approved funding for the 2013 El Portal Community Design Charrette which was held May 5 – 12th, 2013, at El Portal Village Hall. The interactive workshop brought the community together with elected officials, the village staff, and planners and facilitators from the County’s Urban Design Center to create a new plan for a walkable, environmentally sustainable, attractive, and economically sound future for the Village of El Portal, with a focus on preserving the existing beauty, culture, and quality of life of this key area along the Biscayne Corridor. The Charrette addressed possible options for new revenue generation and job creation in the Village. The Charrette was open to all residents of the community, including those without formal training or previous experience with urban planning, and was well attended. Participants shared their visions for the community and the designers will draw them into a final report which can be used to create an updated Comprehensive Master Plan.

Public Workshop, May 4th, 2013