Final Charrette Presentation Moves Linden to the Next Level

LINDEN, AL – “This presentation was the most needed, best prepared, long term thinking, demonstration I've ever seen; it is every small town's dream,” said Tim Collins, a Linden resident and Georgia Pacific employee.

Collins was referring to the charrette presentation Cheryl Morgan, Director of the Auburn Urban Studio, presented to a standing room only crowd of over 200 Linden community members on August 25, 2009.  Morgan bragged on Linden’s progress and reminded them of how lucky they are to have the resources and assets in which they can take advantage of to further build their community.

Linden community members gather in the courthouse to hear the final charrette presentation by Cheryl Morgan from the Auburn Urban Studio.

“From the layout, to the meat and potatoes of the presentation, everything was spot on.  A town needs a vision, which is demonstrated in black and white through the presentation posters and flyers.  We’re all ready to go to the next level,” said Collins.

The final charrette presentation was the culmination of three months worth of work by Linden community members and the Auburn Urban Studio in identifying strengths and assets in which the community can improve and become enhanced.

“This calculated, rational approach to the decision-making process is a valuable trait as we strive to improve the City of Linden. I especially appreciated the compromising solutions provided to a number of difficult decisions,” said Dr. Walter Davis, Chairman of the Linden Industrial Development Board.

Davis also echoed the sentiments of Tim Collins stating the charrette process has pointed the community in the right direction.  “Perhaps the most notable and positive improvements in the City of Linden can and will be achieved through this project.”

The project is fully funded by the West Alabama – East Mississippi (WAEM) Regional Initiative with support from the Auburn Urban Studio’s Small Town Design Initiative and Alabama Southern Community College.

Linden Mayor, Mitzi Gates, discusses the charrette presentation with community members.

“Without the WAEM Initiative and Alabama Southern Community College, Cheryl Morgan and the Urban Design Studio would have never entered into and impacted the people of Linden,” said Mayor Mitzi Gates.  “This process has been an answer to our prayers and could not have come at a better time.”

Morgan also aided the community by recommending them as a manufacturing location for industry to Auburn University’s DESIGN SEED program.  DESIGN SEED’s vision is to create green enterprises in the Black Belt Region of Alabama. Their first enterprise is MABA Toys; a sustainable wooden toy business that focuses on educational development for primary age children.

The city of Linden is providing their old manufacturing building as the primary location for MABA Toys.  A local entrepreneur will run the daily operations.  The toys will be primarily sold online in a new and expanding global market of high-end wooden toys.

“We are so thankful, especially for MABA toys, and plan to take full advantage of the opportunities we have been presented; it is not something we will take for granted,” said Mayor Gates.