In this issue:
Federal Policy Update
SGA/Complete Streets report releases coming up on August 15
Transportation for America holding workshops on federal transit financing this fall
Save the date – New Partners for Smart Growth Conference February 7-9, 2013
Register for Pro Walk/Pro Bike 2012: Pro Place Conference Sept 10-13, 2012 in Long Beach, CA
Submit Your Session Ideas for the National Brownfields Conference – deadline extended to August 24!
Federal Policy Update
Last week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Speaker John Boehner announced a continuing resolution that will fund the federal government at FY2012 levels for six months beginning October 1st. FY2012 levels did not include funding for the HUD Sustainable Communities Initiative. Depending on the outcome of the election in November, FY2013 appropriations bills may move more quickly at that time.
SGA/Complete Streets report releases coming up on August 15
On August 15, Smart Growth America will be releasing two tools to support the development of good, accountable Complete Streets policies. Rather than presenting a single model policy, we have developed the Complete Streets Local Policy Workbook: a guide to writing city and county Complete Streets policies based on best practices from across the country. The Workbook is designed to help readers develop the right policy for their community by presenting information on each ideal element of a Complete Streets policy and asking questions to encourage the development of policy language that is specific to their community’s needs, vision, and goals.
The workbook is designed to be used in conjunction with the latest Complete Streets Policy Analysis report, which will be released simultaneously. The Policy Analysis report will help readers find many examples of well-written existing policy language, often in their own region or state. It scores all policies adopted through 2011 according to how well they meet the ‘ideal’ Complete Streets policy and highlights those agencies that have crafted the best policies to date. Below is a list of written policies adopted by states, MPOs, counties, and cities that the report highlights as scoring particularly well.
We will be sending out template press releases and local reporter contacts to those interested in the next few days. You can review the executive summary of the policy analysis here [PDF] and we can also send exact policy language, if you are interested. Please let us know today or tomorrow whether you’re interested in doing a release of this report in your area.
Top Written Policies:
New Jersey Department of Transportation – Policy No. 703
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development – Complete Streets Policy
California Department of Transportation – Deputy Directive 64-R1
State of Minnesota – Sec. 52. Minnesota Statutes 2008, section 174.75
State of Connecticut – Public Act 09-154 (SB 735)
Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission – Complete Streets Policy
Bloomington/Monroe County Metropolitan Planning Org. – Complete Streets Policy
Fargo-Moorhead Metropolitan Council – Complete Streets Policy
Hennepin County, Minnesota – Complete Streets Policy
Cook County, Illinois – Ordinance
Wilkin County, Minnesota – Resolution
Baldwin Park, California – Complete Streets Policy
New Hope, Minnesota – Complete Streets Policy
Crystal City, Missouri – Ordinance
Birmingham, Alabama – Resolution
Bellevue, Nebraska – Resolution
Azusa, California – Complete Streets Policy
Roanoke,Virginia – Complete Streets Policy
Big Lake, Minnesota – Resolution No. 2010-74
Blue Island, Illinois – Ordinance
Transportation for America holding workshops on federal transit financing this fall
With local sponsors, Transportation for America is holding workshops on federal transit financing in a post-earmark era, bringing together high level officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation, national transportation financing experts, and leaders from other regions with transit success stories. Workshops will be held in Dearborn, MI (August 15th), St. Petersburg, FL (September 19th), Seattle, WA (October 4th) and Nashville, TN (October 11th) and SGA coalition partners are encouraged to participate and extend invitations. Please contact Rochelle Carpenter with Transportation for America for more information via email or phone: 202-955-5543 x224.
Save the date – New Partners for Smart Growth Conference February 7-9, 2013
This year, the New Partners Conference makes its way to America’s heartland—Kansas City, Missouri. The program will span three full days with optional pre-conference events scheduled for Wednesday, February 6th and post-conference events scheduled for Sunday February 10th. The main program will kick off on Thursday morning, February 7th, and continue through Saturday afternoon. The schedule includes a dynamic mix of plenaries, breakouts, implementation workshops, specialized trainings, peer-to-peer learning opportunities, and coordinated networking activities. It will also feature exciting tours of local model projects in and around the greater Kansas City region.
Register for Pro Walk/Pro Bike 2012: Pro Place Conference Sept 10-13, 2012 in Long Beach, CA
It’s an exciting and challenging time for walking and bicycling advocates – more people than ever are demanding active transportation facilities and communities have responded by creating innovative solutions, from Bike Share systems, to parklets and street plazas, to protected bikeways. But with limited budgets and competing priorities, you need the skills, partners, and strategies to make your local efforts successful. Join more than 1,000 planners, engineers, health professionals, and advocates who will convene in Long Beach, California, September 10-13, 2012 for the 17th Pro Walk/Pro Bike conference. By attending North America’s premier walking and bicycling conference, you’ll gain the insights of national experts in the field, learn about practical solutions to getting bike and pedestrian infrastructure built, and meet peers from across the country. Click here to Register!
Submit Your Session Ideas for the National Brownfields Conference!
The National Brownfields Conference, co-sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), is the largest conference in the nation that focuses on environmental revitalization and economic redevelopment. Now in its 15th year, the event attracts over 5,000 attendees and 200 exhibitors for two and a half days of educational sessions, plenary sessions, training workshops, walking tours, volunteer activities, mobile workshops, film screenings and more! Brownfields 2013 will take place on May 15-17, 2013 in Atlanta, GA.
How Do I Submit a Session Idea?
The Call for Ideas is open on the official Brownfields 2013 website. Use the online submission tool to propose a full session idea for Brownfields 2013. The Call for Ideas has been extended to August 24, 2012.
What Topics Are Included in the Program?
The Brownfields 2013 Planning Committee is particularly interested in topics related to:
Technical Assistance
Financing Redevelopment Opportunities
Real Estate and Development
Planning for a Better Environment
Community Engagement
Redevelopment & Revitalization
Liability and Enforcement
Data, Research and Public Health
For more information please contact Grant Sparks, 202-962-3657.