Mid Town District (MTD) is an area of Rockford with relatively low income and high crime rates. MTD as an agency wants to change the current situation by developing programs within the district that will make MTD a safe, interesting and desirable place to live, work and conduct business. In order to facilitate development and programs, the MTD needs to better define its residents and commercial entities.

William C. Mohr, Executive Director of the Mid Town District, strongly believes that a comprehensive geographic information system will help them identify the roots of the problems, residential and commercial trends, and the real needs of the area. As a result the Business Geographics Center, in cooperation with the Business Information Technology Transfer Center (BITTC), embarked upon a project during the Fall 2001 semester to begin development of the Mid Town District GIS.

A team of four MIS graduate students -- Sadiya Khan, Heena Lee, Hui Liang, and Shashi Sharma -- worked with William C. Mohr to make this GIS a reality. The team is also grateful for expert help and advice from Joseph B. Miller, Director of GIS Services at Missman, Stanley & Associates and Gary W. Anderson, of Gary W. Anderson and Associates, Architects.

Three sample maps resulting from this project can be viewed by clicking on the thumbnails below. These maps were all produced using ESRI ArcGIS Desktop products.

Businesses

Residences

Assessed Value

During the Fall 2002 semester, another group of students continued work on the Mid Town District, providing enhancements including the following visual GIS tools:

• Police Calls (block by block)
• Code Violations (Zoning, Building, Health)
• Out of city owners
• Owners Holding Multiple Properties
• Properties Given City Assistance
• Section 8 Voucher Locations
• Census Data by Block Groups (Age, Family Size, Income, etc.)
• Orthophotography Access

The Fall 2002 student group, pictured below from the far right, include Xiang Ma, Heena Lee (Student Consultant from Fall 2001), Ahmed Jessa, Hussain Ali, and Chris Wiedlin. To see a video clip that appeared on Rockford Channel 17 News on December 5, 2002, click here.