Issue date: 1/13/09 Section: News

(File photo of the proposed energy center/The Daily Eastern News)

Residents living near the location of the proposed Renewable Energy Center have the chance of voicing their opinions on the center's design and external appearance at 6 p.m. today at the Neal Welcome Center.

"This will be an opportunity for the neighborhood residents to share with President (Bill) Perry their thoughts on the appearance of the center," said Jill Nilsen, vice president for external relations. "It's his intent just to listen and take notes."

A letter was sent to the residents from the neighborhoods near the Highway 130 location of the energy center specifically inviting them to attend, Nilsen said.

After the announcement of the energy center on Nov. 7, three informational meetings were held to inform the public of details on the operation of the energy center.

Perry said there were concerns raised then and he wants to listen to those now about specific issues related to the design.

"A number of issues might come up - height, the exterior of the building, landscaping," he said.

In addition to the notes Perry will take in regards to suggestions, he said people could also write down their own suggestions and hand them to him to eliminate miscommunication.

A second meeting is scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. On Jan. 28, at the Charleston Carnegie Public Library, 712 Sixth St.

Perry said he will bring back the suggestions from the first meeting to campus, do some analysis and then present possible changes that could be made at the second meeting.

"At the second meeting I'll say here are some changes we can make," Perry said. "I'll be interested to hear people's reactions at that point."

Perry said he would accommodate the residents "as much as we can and make it still a feasible project."

"The final configuration of the steam plant and energy center will be one that is as harmonious as possible with the selected site with the surrounding neighbors," he said.

Location will not be a part of Tuesday's discussion.

At the previous meetings, residents had brought up concern that the center would be located near them.

Perry said considerable analysis was done in 2002 when the site selection was made as to where the replaced plant would go.

"We're committed to the site so the question is now on the site how do we accommodate as much as possible the concerns of the residents of the neighborhoods nearby," Perry said.

The different design elements will have different costs associated with them, Perry said.

"Once we decide on what we can do and what's the right thing to do with the appearance, we'll just have to see how to finance those," Perry said.

He said for example, there is a difference in cost of a masonry wall versus a steel wall building.

"We would just have to analyze the marginal cost on that," Perry said.

Perry said the cost of certain elements will be a factor in deciding what is possible to do, but it is not the only factor.

Other factors include feasibility, utility, durability, and applicability of different suggestions. A number of technical requirements would also have to be met to meet the building code.

Once the exterior changes have been decided on, they will have to be entered into the final design of the project, he said.

Perry said this would take awhile.

"We will be keeping the public informed through various ways downstream about the progress of the project," Perry said. "As we get architectural drawings and renderings that accurately reflect what we're doing in terms of the design."

Nilsen said Eastern wants to be good neighbors to the community.

"This is our opportunity again to hear their concerns, assure the neighborhood that we are listening to what they are saying and then see if we can accommodate some of their ideas," she said.

The energy center project was put on hold on Nov. 18 to consider alternative funding for the project and for further consultation with community members.

Emily Zulz can be reached at 581-7942 or at eazulz@eiu.edu.

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