Spruce Up Austin, Inc. will begin a "visioning" process this spring.

If the organization's directors like what they see, they will continue their current mission.

If they don't, there could be changes.

SUA, Inc. directors met recently in the Town Center conference room and new president, Jerry M. Adwell, took over the reins of the organization from Gretchen Ramlo, who completed her two-year term.

The subject of visioning came up in a discussion with Ramlo and Mike Ruzek, an alumnus of the Blandin Community Leadership Program, who attended a Blandin workshop where visioning was encouraged among civic groups.

Visioning, or looking into so-called "crystal balls" by brainstorming ideas, could result in an organization continuing its mission "as is" or it could produce changes, Ruzek said.

That was most clear as the SUA, Inc. members discussed the year ahead; the organization's 14th of its existence.

Ruzek, who is the organization's project coordinator, listed possible projects for 2003. They included planting more trees in the city's parks and trees to honor SUA, Inc. members who have reached the five-year milestone of their membership.

Also, Ruzek said the city's Honor Guards Park at the intersection of 8th Street and 8th Avenue N.E. needs attention. Another is the area along SUA's most ambitious tree-planting project, Hormel Century Parkway, where geothermal cables caused the elimination of trees and other foliage.

A fourth possible area of attention in 2003 could be the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center.

"It may be possible to partner with the Nature Center to plant more trees," Ruzek said.

Ruzek's suggestions prompted SUA board member Craig Hoium to suggest a tree-planting project along 18th Avenue N.W.

The thoroughfare is located in Lansing Township and is a Mower County roadway. This year will see the completion of a major reconstruction of the heavily traveled roadway complete with "antique" street lighting recommended by the city, traffic medians, sidewalks and other enhancements of the driving experience.

"Maybe we could plant some trees or spruce along the street or in the traffic medians?" Hoium suggested.

Hoium said, despite the fact 18th Avenue N.W. is a "county road," the city, through SUA, could partner with the county on such a project.

"Spruce Up would plant the trees or spruce and the county would maintain the area," he said.

At that point, the discussion returned to the subject of visioning.

Ruzek and then Ramlo pointed out, SUA can't plant more trees along any boulevard until the city comes up with a plan for pruning existing trees.

According to the pair, the number of trees requiring pruning far exceeds the city's ability to provide that necessary service to ensure their property growth and maturity.

The pair said visioning could help SUA "decide what we can or cannot do in the future," said Ruzek.

The members agreed to begin a two-part process to examine where the organization has succeeded and where it has failed and how the organization can be revamped to ensure it continues to be a valuable source of community enhancement in Austin.

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at

lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com