The “design review board” is the last rampart, perhaps the only defense.
THIS BOARD is of course under political pressure to yield; yet it was designed and established to take this process out of politics.
I've been an admirer of this group of Shorewood citizens and the strong stands that they have taken, yet now is the time to take another stand and perhaps the strongest one they have ever taken.
Everything for the Sunrise Development has been mistakenly approved except for the physical aspects of this development. This is now in the hands of the Review Board, the crossing of the final “t”.
If I were on that board, I'd go for a COMPLETE REDESIGN. We could then take into consideration the significance of this river site and modern technology from the standpoint of security and the design of a building that could trend in the direction of a biophilic project, solar panels, green roof, maximum natural light on all sides, a green terraced building integrated with embankment terracing to the river. These features would better accommodate what the building is intended to do, take care of elderly toward the end of life.
The present building does none of that. Going back to the drawing boards would make it possible to include the latest technology for water and sewerage recycling and bio-energy generation, including solar energy equipment. Where were the environmentalist when we needed them? Were they boondoggled?
The building itself should then reflect these updated elements in its design. If it is to be used by the elderly, then they should have access to sunlight and to daylight (SUNRISE) imaginatively designed into the building.
The building and the grounds should give access to mobile and partial mobile occupants, access to the river from a meaningfully designed glass enclosed portico, connected to a glass enclosed elevator system down to the river level.
The elaborate portico should provide a view of the river at the upper level during all seasons and weather conditions. Obviously, unless the Review Board goes for a complete redesign, none of this is going to happen.
Perhaps within this possible perspective, the Design Review Board can gain sufficient strength to take the stand for more, if not call for a redesign that would lead this whole development to something more opportune and comparable to the times.
This would call for the type off valor within each of us equivalent to that of the American revolutionists. But why should the Design Review Board alone show such bravery? And is whatever happens in Shorewood that significantly democratic as to require efforts of such revolutionary nature? But a request for a redesign would be a quite simple act.
