What is the Roodat?
EDITOR: For years I heard Healdsburgers speak enthusiastically about the “roodat,” — the great turning point in Healdsburg’s recent history. Later someone explained.
In a nutshell: The R/UDAT (Rural Urban Design Assistance Team), was sponsored by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) who put together expert teams of volunteers — including planners, economists, urban designers, landscape and building architects — specific to each unique community project.
In 1982, seeking direction for Healdsburg’s economic future, the community applied for R/UDAT’s assistance and was accepted. The team came, listened and worked with local citizens, community stakeholders and decision-makers in an intense three-day, whole community, planning process resulting in the highly successful blueprint that lead to developing our world class wine tourism destination. The summary report is a fascinating 32-page document. Search online for “Healdsburg RUDAT.” The cautions are also instructive.
Today, 35 years post R/UDAT, citizens and councilmembers ask, “Is it time to update our vision? What’s our next step in honoring our success while ensuring a resilient, sustainable and affordable town for the whole community in the future? Would the R/UDAT return with their impartial team of experts and no skin in the game, to help us tackle today’s complex economic and environmental challenges?”
It turns out that R/UDAT has morphed into SDAT (Sustainable Design Assessment Team), offering a crucial sustainability component. If you search for “AIA SDAT” you’ll find descriptions and samples of many community projects they’ve tackled.
Key to SDAT success: “All strategies are developed in collaboration with your community. Our teams listen to diverse voices and respond to your specific strengths and challenges.”
Do you think it’s time to ask for SDAT to work with us to review/renew our “vision for a sustainable future” and develop “a realistic, attainable roadmap to get there”?
Merrilyn Joyce
Healdsburg
Library book sale
EDITOR: Just in time for holiday shopping the November book sale, sponsored by the Friends of the Healdsburg Library, will be held Wednesday, Nov. 15, from 1 to 6 p.m. Members only, join at the door for $5 a year. No scanners from 1-3 p.m.; on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 16 and 17, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., open to the public, Saturday, Nov. 18, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., $6 bag sale, bring your own bag, open to the public, free bag to teachers.
Quality books $2, children’s books 50 cents to $1, DVDs and music CDs. All proceeds support the library. Special and gift books will be sold in the wine library at various prices. Nov. 15 to 17, open to the public. Any questions, call the library, 433 3772.
Lena Darcy
Healdsburg
Thanks for fire coverage
EDITOR: The effort you put into your writing and care for others was so evident in the recent issues of the papers. Reports by Amie (Windsor), Bleys (Rose) and Heather (Bailey), along with the other staff writers were so moving and heartfelt for the pain of the area. Thank you.
Les Olson
Windsor, Colorado
