As part of a 6-week project, I was tasked with analyzing a locale and consider how, if any, design had been incorporated and in what areas could it be improved. Being a resident and former student of AISD, I chose the city of Aledo as the focus of this project. During the research phase, I reviewed city history and any available city data as well as examined architecture, building materials, color, signage, and competing/similar cities. Using the research I collected in conjunction with my past experience in conducting market research and developing strategic marketing plans, I developed a succinct analysis of Aledo and formulated design guidelines to help lead future development. I organized my research, conclusions and guidelines into a booklet format.

In late August 2019, I contacted Aledo city officials and asked for a meeting in which I would share the document, review its contents with them, get their feedback, and inquire if they would be interested in incorporating the document into their current development processes.

The timing could not have been better as only a month or so prior, Aledo had begun the process of updating their strategic plan and hired a consulting firm to help them do so.

I met with City Administrator, Bill Funderburk, and City Secretary, Deana McMullen on September 16, 2019. Both were thoroughly interested and excited about the information presented in the document, especially as it drew conclusions that complemented discussions they were having with their consulting firm and brought up other insights they had yet to consider. At the conclusion of this meeting, they invited me back to meet with and present the booklet to the Aledo Economic Development Corp., which includes the mayor, Kit Marshall, among other members on Thursday, September 19. In this meeting, members offered similar sentiments as Bill had in the first meeting, finding value in the information provided in the booklet, and concluded that they will use it as they continued to develop the strategic plan.

I received an email, pictured below, shortly after the second meeting from Bill, which reiterated their initial responses and included additional thoughts on the booklet.

The full PDF version is available for viewing here.