Partnership in the news: First TIGER-funded multi-modal transit project opens
Funded in part by a $22 million Department of Transportation TIGER grant, the first multi-modal transit project funded by TIGER has opened.
Month: August 2012
New report and companion workbook highlight successful Complete Streets policies from across the United States
Communities across the United States adopted 146 Complete Streets policies in 2011, and over 350 policies are now in place across the country. A new report looks at some of the best of these policies, and a new resource can help community leaders bring these practices to their town or city.
The National Complete Streets Coalition’s 2011 Policy Analysis surveys the over 350 Complete Streets policies that have been approved by communities across the country. These policies are working to make streets safer, more livable and more welcoming for everyone, and the 2011 Policy Analysis surveys the most successful and robust.
“It’s great to see such a surge in Complete Streets policy adoption over the past year,” said National Complete Streets Coalition Director Roger Millar. “But this growth is also reflective of changing times and attitudes about transportation.”
Local policies of particular note are highlighted throughout the report, providing a comprehensive examination of best policy practices across the country. Complete Streets policies in New Jersey, Louisiana, California, Minnesota, and Connecticut are among the report’s most successful examples.
New report and companion workbook highlight successful Complete Streets policies from across the United States
Communities across the United States adopted 146 Complete Streets policies in 2011, and over 350 policies are now in place across the country. A new report looks at some of the best of these policies, and a new resource can help community leaders bring these practices to their town or city.
Honolulu’s Transit-Oriented Housing Development Progress Highlighted by HUD
Since receiving a $2.3 million HUD-DOT Community Challenge Planning Grant in October 2010, the City and County of Honolulu have made great progress toward their goal of creating transit-oriented development (TOD) around the planned Honolulu Rail Transit Project.
Protected: Coalition Updates – 8/8/12
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Spotlight on Sustainability: Des Moines, IA
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Named by Forbes as the Best Place for Young Professionals and the Best Place to Raise a Family, the Greater Des Moines population is growing and is expected to grow by 35% more by 2035. But, progress is never achieved without facing some challenges along the way— in this case the challenge is creating jobs and remaining economically competitive, while still fostering safe and affordable places for families to live, work, and play.
To address these burgeoning issues, and ensure the vitality and long-term economic health of the region, the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (DMAMPO), in conjunction with a large group of local organizations and officials representing area communities, is working to coordinate future growth and development through the creation of The Tomorrow Plan, funded by a 2010 Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Regional Planning grant.
“The Tomorrow Plan is allowing us to take a step back and truly assess where our region currently is, as well as where we are headed. We have to be proactive and prepare for the future in order to continue to attract and retain the top talent and business that has made Greater Des Moines one of the top regions in the country,” says Bethany Wilcoxon, Project Manager for DMAMPO.
Upcoming Webinars: August 2012
Transportation Referendum Failure Leaves Atlanta Transit's Future Uncertain
The Atlanta region has some of the worst traffic congestion in the nation. Following Tuesday’s T-SPLOST vote, residents will have to wait even longer for relief. Voters in the 10-county Atlanta region voted Tuesday to overwhelmingly reject the T-SPLOST ballot measure Tuesday. By increasing the regional sales tax one cent for ten years, that measure would have raised an estimated $7.2 billion for transportation projects aimed at relieving Atlanta’s congestion. The measure was defeated by a margin of 63 to 37.
SGA on CNN: The cost of America’s inefficient sprawl
By William Fulton, Smart Growth America vice president for policy and programs Re-posted from CNN’s Global Public Square blog with Fareed Zakaria Earlier this month, Global Public Square addressed a critical issue at this moment in American history, as towns and cities nationwide look to bounce back from the recession. “Why are U.S. cities going … Continued
Political will, leadership crucial to building great communities
Great neighborhoods, strong local economies and balanced budgets don’t happen by chance. It takes political leadership and resilience to achieve those goals – political leadership that is sometimes hard to come by. “Everyone wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die to get there,” said former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge during a conversation … Continued