A comprehensive vision for mobility, redevelopment, recreation, and more.
Region 1 Planning Council partnered with Studio GWA, The Lakota Group, Strand Associates, and Hey & Associates to conduct a corridor study of Keith Creek. The study creates a framework for improvements and developments throughout the Keith Creek watershed, which includes two branches of creek channel and over 14 miles of drainage area.
A multi-faceted, equity-centered plan
The recommendations throughout the plan were centered around the following objectives:
Increasing corridor resiliency;
Mitigating flooding;
Improving equitable access to transportation options;
Highlighting Keith Creek as a unique natural resource; and
Supporting economic development.
pairing local knowledge with nationwide expertise
From students to seniors, the study is shaped from a wide variety of perspectives
Studio GWA provided local expertise to the project, which was rooted in over twenty years of vision-casting, volunteering, and advocating for a revitalized creek that would become an asset in Rockford’s oldest neighborhoods. Our team assisted with redevelopment scenarios, greenway planning, and community engagement. We aimed to elevate marginalized voices who have been disproportionately impacted by flooding and other negative events. Walking tours, listening sessions, and a block party yielded multiple opportunities for meaningful input.
The Keith Creek Corridor Study is the latest effort in creating a greenway that is vibrant, equitable, and resilient. View the final draft of the study here.