Author, City Planner Jeff Speck Coming to Paducah

Internationally known author, city planner, and urban designer Jeff Speck is coming to Paducah.

Paducah Public Information Officer Pam Spencer said Speck will visit Paducah in August to tour and review the city, meet with city staff, and make presentations to the public about the importance of a city’s downtown, its walkability, and its sustainability. Speck advocates internationally for smart growth and sustainable design. He will be providing an analysis of Paducah’s walkability, pedestrian and street connectivity, and appearance and recommendations for improvement.

Speck will start the day August 7 as the guest speaker at the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce’s Power in Partnership Breakfast.  The monthly breakfast meetings are held at 7:30 am at the Julian Carroll Convention Center.  Contact the Chamber at 270-443-1746 for registration information about the PIP Breakfast.  The cost for the breakfast on that date is $15 for Chamber members and for non-members.

City Manager Jeff Pederson said Speck's visit will benefit the city. “Jeff Speck is a visionary and an expert in his field.  It is proactive for the City of Paducah to get his insight on our downtown, riverfront, and city as a whole.” Pederson said.

Speck will give a presentation to the general public at Maiden Alley Cinema On August 7 from 6:30-8:30 pm. The presentation is free, but participants must pre-register by contacting the Paducah Planning Department at 270-444-8690 by noon that day.

Speck holds a Master of Architecture from Harvard Graduate School of Design and a Master of Fine Arts in Renaissance Architectural History from Syracuse University, Florence, Italy.    

For more information about Jeff Speck, visit www.jeffspeck.com or contact the Paducah Planning Department at 270-444-8690.