There are few, if any towns/small cities in the Midwest that are more charming than Galena, Illinois with its delightful Main Street architecture, quaint shops, hilly scenic vistas, and rich history. Galena is also innovative leader in community planning efforts including the areas of economic development, historic preservation, and sustainability. Here are ten important planning lessons from this lovely community in northwestern Illinois. Peace!
- Once again, a current or former mining town (Galena) exudes enormous amounts of character, innovation, and vibe. For struggling mining towns; Galena, Bisbee, Leadville, and other successfully revived and revitalized communities are a welcome reminder that their vast riches did not end at the surface of the Earth.
- Galena also demonstrates that mining towns east of the Mississippi can and do find new life and vitality after the mines close. Marquette, Michigan and Mineral Point, Wisconsin are two other examples. Galena is especially notable because not only did it overcome the end of its lead mining era, but it also overcame its navigable water connection to the Mississippi River silting up.
- Galena has become a leading weekend getaway locale for those from Chicago and other cities seeking a restful and entertaining experience. Other towns within earshot of major metropolitan areas can strive to become weekend destinations too through pin-pointed marketing and advertising campaigns.
- Aside from its historic, scenic, recreational, and cultural attributes, the Galena area attracts a stunning array of songbirds during spring migration due to its location along the Mississippi Flyway. Birders spend discretionary dollars in the community and can help fill hotels, restaurants, and shops during off-seasons.
- The Galena Foundation is an excellent example of a local grassroots non-profit that has been spearheading important historical and cultural preservation efforts throughout Galena.
- Galena is unique in the fact that it doesn’t just promote itself as a town, but as a way of life as “Galena Country.”
- Galena established a community garden program 18 years ago with approximately 100 plots. In addition nearly 1,000 pounds of produce are donated each year from the garden to the United Churches of Galena Food Pantry. Such efforts are another example of how to build a healthier and happier community.
- How many places with less than 3,500 residents are you aware of that initiated their own plastic bag reduction program — especially one that includes its own reusable green bag program? Galena did this in 2012.
- Galena has established a Green Pledge for Residents that includes three levels of commitment to sustainable choices. Though voluntary, it is an excellent method for instilling the importance of green initiatives in the community.
“I pledge to do my part to reduce my carbon footprint, to lower the impacts of my lifestyle on the environment, and to help make Galena an even greener place to live, work, and play.”
Source: cityofgalena.org
“Purchase of green energy to supplement city solar production and achieve 100% green power use for all city operations
Conversion of all City street lights (more than 400) to high-efficiency LED
Mandatory recycling at all city facilities
Paperless city council and other public meetings
Retrofit of all traffic lights to high efficiency LED
Reuse of existing building and high efficiency renovation for 2013 City Hall relocation
Retrofit of the Police Department and Fire Department lighting to high efficiency T-8 florescent tubes
Annual community trash clean-up project (Beautification Month)
Dark skies ordinances to reduce light pollution
Sustainability oriented Subdivision Ordinance
C-PACE financing for energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, electric vehicle charging and resiliency projects“
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