A re-imagining of Ottawa was presented Monday evening by a group of Judson University graduate students to city officials and private citizens in a return visit at City Hall.

The students — who have spent weeks researching and photographing the downtown business district — offered detailed drawings and maps exploring the possibilities on how the proposed future green branding of the city as a gardening center could become a reality.

"Ottawa needs to take advantage of its unique vistas to create a diverse environment for both residents and visitors," said student John Nunez. Students from the Elgin-based college explained their various perspective views of the city which could be incorporated into future functional designs.

Keelan Kaiser, Judson professor and architecture graduate program coordinator, praised his students work and was pleased that most incorporated Ottawa's existing features into their new designs.

"One can see the use of the city's natural amenities in their work where they added greenscaping into an otherwise urban setting," he said.

Water was the common theme used by the students, who placed both the Fox and the Illinois rivers as well as the Illinois-Michigan Canal area into their designs. More than one of them spoke of transforming Ottawa into a "cultural haven" which could turn the entire area from a "crossroad city" to a "destination tourist municipality."

City officials agreed many of the students' dream designs easily could fit into the city's proposed push to develop itself into a conservatory/botanical and garden center.

Kaiser previously has said Ottawa was a good city to study because of its current downtown initiative, urban design issues and future planning goals.

Students also said they used an historical approach in their work, which they insist would add value to any of the city's future development.

Reviewing the maps and drawings, lifelong Ottawa resident Anna Mattes was impressed with the scope of students' detailed proposals. A Master Gardener and longtime gardening volunteer at Washington Square and City Hall, she said each of the proposals were "wonderful," and the "ideas are magnificent."

Mattes, speaking with the students, quoted the famed American architect and urban planner Daniel Burnam who once said, "Make no little plans." (The rest of his quote is,"They have no magic to stir men's blood and probably will not themselves be realized.")

Most in attendance Monday night agreed the students plans were "bold" and "radical," yet very "exciting and possible."

Mattes said she hopes one day some of their ideas could become reality for a new Ottawa.

The students will return after the first of the year to study and research individual downtown buildings for potential future rehabilitation.