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In the News | Resources | Articles | Calendar | Nuts & Bolts | Submissions April 1, 2007 Mesa Plans on Making Longtime Shopping Mall Pedestrian Friendly - The Fiesta Mall area five years from now could begin to resemble a pedestrian-friendly kind of place. That's when construction is scheduled to begin on the first phase of a pedestrian and bicycle walkway that will connect two miles of Mesa, stretching from Extension Road on the east to the Tempe Canal on the west, and weaving through west Mesa landmarks such as Banner Desert Medical Center, Mesa Community College and Fiesta Mall. The city was recently awarded a $999,000 grant to construct pedestrian plazas near arterial streets along the route that will one day have a path carrying walkers, bicyclists and recreational users to the three west Mesa employment centers. But that day won't come anytime soon. City crews won't begin construction on the plazas until 2012, in what Mitchell Foy, a transportation engineer with Mesa, calls "Phase 1" of the project. Construction on Phase 2, the path itself, likely won't start before 2013, he said. Source: The Arizona Republic, March 5, 2007, http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/ Former Baton Rouge Wal-Mart to Become 11-Acre Mixed-Use Village - Raising the public expectation bar, the Baton Rouge Area Foundation's for-profit unit, Commercial Properties, reports Baton Rouge Advocate writer Gary Perilloux, will redevelop a former Wal-Mart shopping center in the city's southeast as pedestrian-friendly Acadian Village, offering 130,000 square feet of retail space topped by some 30 rental townhouses and including other smart-growth features, such as an open plaza, landscaped parking lot and public transportation pavilion. Source: http://www.smartgrowth.org/news/article.asp?art=5942&state=19 "Granny Units" Program Helping Santa Cruz Create Much-Needed Housing for Seniors - Thanks to its 2001 Accessory Dwelling Unit Program, honored by the U.S. EPA with the 2004 Smart Growth Award for Policies and Regulations, Santa Cruz overcame frequent resident opposition to new rentals and became a national model for their addition -- the annual number of homeowners seeking "granny unit" permits went up from 10 in 2002 to 50 in each of the following years. Source: http://www.smartgrowth.org/news/article.asp?art=5963&state=5 Tucson's Economic Blueprint Unfurled - The long-awaited strategic plan to enrich the local economy went public Wednesday [March 30] with renewed calls for boosting high-paying jobs, improving education and enhancing the area's livability. Tucson Regional Economic Opportunities Inc., TREO, launched its economic blueprint at a late-afternoon gathering of about 500 people at the Fox Theatre Downtown. Joe Snell, TREO president and chief executive, said he was "thrilled with the plan" to develop a long-term vision for the area economy. The involvement of 6,000 community members through surveys and other contact is broader than any previous undertaking here, he said. Source: http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/175820.php Once-Scorned Bus-Bike-Pedestrian Corridor Now Hailed for Infill and TOD Potential - Envisioned by two Fort Collins citizen groups in the mid-1990s, a five-mile rapid bus-bike-pedestrian Mason Street corridor along the Burlington Northern Railroad tracks, to link the city's southern bike-path system with Colorado State University and Old Town, was first vilified as loudly for its prospective $68 million price, reports Fort Collins Weekly writer Greg Campbell, as it is now hailed for its infill and transit-oriented development potential. Source: http://www.smartgrowth.org/news/article.asp?art=5964&state=6 Destination Matters Most in Creating Walkable Communities, Research Shows Source: http://www.smartgrowth.org/news/article.asp?art=5927&state=48 Phoenix's Mixed-Use CityScape Project Would Revitalize City Core, but Current Plan Sacrifices City Park Source: http://www.smartgrowth.org/news/article.asp?art=5916&state=3 Close-Knit Neighborhoods are New Priority for Americans, Marketing Study Reveals - What was often seen as wishful thinking or niche preferences has now been found a preponderant mainstream trend by GfK Roper Consulting, an authoritative syndicated research company focused on "consumers' lifestyles, values, activities and behaviors," whose new "Modern Communities" marketing study shows that Americans value tightly-knit neighborhoods more than they did 20 years ago, with some 90 percent saying the ideal neighborhood is one where people live near one another, socialize and have easy access to churches and transportation. http://www.smartgrowth.org/news/article.asp?art=5951&state=52 "Visualizing Density" Book Illustrates How Good Design is Critical to Success of Compact Growth - "We have two real choices for future development: We can grow more compactly or we can continue to sprawl across the landscape at great economic, environmental, and social cost," commented Urban Land Institute (ULI) Senior Resident Fellow Ed McMahon on "Visualizing Density," a 160-page book written and richly illustrated by landscape architect-land planner Julie Campoli and pilot-aerial photographer Alex S. MacLean, and just published by the Cambridge-based Lincoln Institute of Land Policy. http://www.smartgrowth.org/news/article.asp?art=5953&state=52 Data Shows Rapid Growth in Transit Use as More Americans See Benefits of Ridership - Since 1995, the U.S. population and the number of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) have grown by 12 and 24 percent, respectively, but transit use is up by 30 percent -- to 10.1 billion trips for the first time in 49 years -- which proves that Americans increasingly see "the benefits of saving money and avoiding congestion," stressed American Public Transportation Association (APTA) President William W. Millar, releasing the group's 2006 ridership data. http://www.smartgrowth.org/news/article.asp?art=5961&state=52 The Planning Commissioners Journal's Reprint Sets Available - "Design Matters" is one of nine reprint sets now available. Other reprint sets include basic planning tools; transportation topics; downtowns & town centers; planning law; and more. Several of the articles in this collection can be ordered and immediately downloaded onto your computer (as PDF files, formatted exactly as published in the Planning Commissioners Journal). Use the link on an article's title to read excerpts from the article and to access download information. The full reprint set can only be sent by regular mail. For more information, go to http://www.plannersweb.com/store/topic-f.html The National Charrette Institute is Offering a New Educational Product - The NCI Charrettes CD is a fast option for learning about the complete NCI Dynamic Planning process, including the NCI Charrette. It is designed for developers, community advocates, elected officials, planning staff and consultants that want to get a concise overview of NCI Dynamic Planning as taught in the NCI certificate trainings. The CD includes a presentation narrated by The Charrette Handbook authors Bill Lennertz and Aarin Lutzenhiser. To order the CD, go to the NCI Website: http://www.charretteinstitute.org/programs/charrettes_cd.html New Resource Helps Elderly Play Key Role in Creating "A Viable Future" A new tool kit helps programs integrate the elderly and youth to benefit all ages. The aging of the U.S. population, sometimes deemed a "crisis," in fact provides an opportunity to address a host of social issues, according to a new tool kit released by the blue moon fund, a Virginia-based foundation. The resource, "Sustainable Communities for All Ages: A Viable Futures Toolkit," provides a comprehensive, step-by-step approach to including senior citizens on issues ranging from education and health care to housing, transportation, and the environment--in ways that can benefit entire communities. "Connecting generations simply makes sense," says Donna Butts, executive director of Generations United, a U.S. group focused on improving the lives of children, youth, and older people through intergenerational strategies, programs, and public policies. "Our cities and towns will benefit from the hands-on activities and inspiring examples this new toolkit offers." Citing examples of seniors tutoring disadvantaged children, community banks offering special accounts for youth and the elderly, and assisted living developments that engage both staff and residents in decision-making, the tool kit demonstrates the practicality of integrating all age groups to benefit each other. The tool kit was designed with input from an advisory committee of environmental, aging, youth, planning, and advocacy groups and was produced by the consulting firm JustPartners, Inc. It offers adaptable, specific directions for organizations, policymakers, and even families to reevaluate the interconnections between human, economic, and natural resources. It also suggests creative new ways of approaching looming social security problems, skyrocketing health care costs, and environmental degradation. Fernando Torres-Gil, former assistant secretary on aging at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has praised the kit as "an invaluable guide in redefining and reshaping the future of an aging society." This story was produced by Eye on Earth, a joint project of the Worldwatch Institute and the blue moon fund. View the complete archive of Eye on Earth stories at http://www.worldwatch.org/node/4927 City Moves to include Public Health Element In General Plan The City of Richmond, California, has received a grant from the California Endowment to include a Public Health Element in its General Plan -- one of the first in the state. The City of Richmond, California, is in the midst of a comprehensive General Plan update that is geared not only to meet the regulatory requirements, but as a catalyst for change and innovation. In that vein, the City with the assistance of Moore Iacofano Goltsman, Inc. (MIG) and PolicyLink applied for a grant with the California Endowment to conduct a Health Impact Assessment and to develop health policies to guide future land development. "Every city and county in California is required to have an updated general plan. Richmond will consider public health as it makes plans for walkable communities, safe bicycle routes and a clean environment, said Daniel Iacofano, a principal of Moore Iacofano Goltsman, which is overseeing the planning process "In Richmond we have an opportunity to fundamentally change the way cities plan for the future by showing the link between our physical environment and public health," Iacofano said. "Where you live, work, play and go to school has an effect on your health... "Richmond has 32 miles of shoreline, but we have whole parts of the city that are literally cut off from that," Iacofano said. "These communities don't have access to fresh air, views and opportunities to understand one's environment." The General Plan will be completed in early 2008. New Peoria Housing Projects Target Those Who Work in City A new local home builder is bringing four infill projects to Peoria's core to provide more workforce housing for West Valley residents. CF Homes purchased the parcels last year to build a combination of single-family homes and townhouses. Stone Street Village, at 83rd Avenue and Stone Street, will include 14 townhouses. Madison Street Lofts, at 85th Avenue and Madison Street, will feature 43 townhouses. Monroe 85, situated across from Peoria City Hall, will include four single-family houses. Mountain View 75 will bring 13 homes to the northeast corner of 75th Avenue and Mountain View Road. The single-family homes will cost around $299,000 and range from 2,000 to almost 2,400 square feet. Prices for the townhouses, around 1,750 square feet, will be $249,900. All homes come with appliances, fans, window blinds and garage door openers. "This was a huge niche nobody else was addressing," said Walt Camping, president of CF Homes. "We're able to help revitalize the downtown area and bring residents closer to where they work." The communities will be geared toward first-time buyers and young families. Camping and his business partner, Ken Feldman, formed CF Homes in November 2005 to develop infill residential projects at reasonable prices. The builder also has plans to build infill communities in Glendale. "Home prices keep going up and a lot of working families can't afford a house or have to live on the edge of the Valley," Feldman said. "People at the heart of providing public services, such as teachers and police officers, are often priced out of the market." In the past six years, the median price for new homes in Peoria has climbed 125 percent to $408,497 in 2006. Glendale's new-home median, $436,256, represents a 157 percent increase since 2001, according to data from the Information Market. "If you work in Peoria, you should be able to live in Peoria," Feldman said. "These projects should build a sense of community." Construction is under way at Monroe 85, with framing slated to begin next month at Mountain View 75. The townhouse projects will break ground in April. "At this time, fewer than half of the people who work at City Hall, as well as teachers, emergency personnel and others we count on everyday, can afford to live in Peoria," said Vice Mayor Vicki Hunt, whose district covers the new communities. "Unfortunately, pay increases have not kept up with the cost of housing." Hunt said the CF Homes projects are vital to downtown Peoria's revitalization. "I applaud (CF Homes) for making this commitment to infill in our downtown," she said. Tools for Creating Policy Change in Your Community The two-day training will be held in conjunction with the Arizona Public Health Association Spring Conference (see below). The focus on helping participants understand the role of changing organizational practices and policies in achieving social changes in communities. Sponsors are the Arizona Department of Health Services and the Arizona Public Health Association. For more information, contact Magda Ccioam@azdhs.gov or (602) 364-1613. For updates on the training go to: www.azdhs.gov/phs/oncdps/steps/ . Speaking of Health: Telling & Selling Your Story The conference will be held in conjunction with the Arizona Department of Health Services, and Healthy Steps- the Arizona Policy Training Institute. Featured presenters include Dr. Jennifer James, speaking on "Cultural Intelligence: Telling the NEW Story," and Dawn Laguens, who is the force behind the successful "Smoke-Free Arizona" campaign. For more information, contact Susan Higgins, Executive Director, AzPHA, (602) 258-3361 American Planning Association 2007 National Planning Conference The conference will offer more than 200 conference sessions, mobile workshops, training seminars and networking opportunities. For more information and to register, go to: http://planning.org/2007conference/registration.htm . Earth Day in the Garden Celebrate Earth Day with one of its founders, the Honorable Pete McCloskey. Learn how your vote helps protect and preserve our environment. Discover DBG's unique home with a tour of the garden. Event guests will receive complementary admission. Families are welcome. RSVP at rsvp@azlcv.org The Green Building Revolution: A Professional Development Seminar on The Emerging Business Case for Green Development and How Tucson Can Lead the Parade The seminar is sponsored by the University of Arizona and features Jerry Yudelson, PE, MS, MBA, LEED AP, who is author of The Green Building Revolution (Island Press). Panelists include Irene Ogata, RLA, Urban Landscape Manager, City of Tucson; Yves Khawam, PhD, Chief Building Official, Pima County Development Services Department; David Eisenberg, Co-Founder and Director, Development Center for Appropriate Technology; and Laura Huntoon, PhD, Associate Professor of Planning, University of Arizona, Moderator. The cost is $45; To RSVP, contact Kristy Schmidt, kristys@email.arizona.edu ; 520-621-9597 or fax: 520-621-9820. SRP Creating Competitive and Sustainable Communities and Regions Forum Keynote speaker is Robert Grow, who will discuss ideas and strategies for creating sustainable communities. He is the founding chair emeritus of Envision Utah, a private/public quality growth partnership founded in 1997. Envision Utah is widely recognized as one of the country's most successful public involvement efforts for the development of a broad-based, long-term growth strategy for a major metropolitan area. Contact Jennifer Whalley ( jwhalley@evp-az.org ; 480-834-8335) for more information. Editor: M.H. Brennan PLC will publish your submissions of announcements, news, awards and grant opportunities, and notable quotes. Simply submit by e-mail to projectforlivaablecommunities@cox.net and be sure to include pertinent source information. The Project for Livable Communities (PLC) is a nonprofit organization headquartered in metropolitan Phoenix; membership includes professionals in urban design, public health, education and journalism. Founded in 2005, PLC, which includes the Alliance for Healthy Community Design (AHCD), fosters livable communities by addressing three major community components of the environments in which we live and work – Healthy Design, Safe Design and Sustainable Design – and focusing on the best practices of each. Because of your interest in livability issues, you have been added to the recipient list of PLC’s electronic newsletter, e-livability. If you would like to be removed from this mailing list, please send an email to projectforlivablecommunities@cox.net.
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© 2007 Project for Livable Communities • Healthy, Safe, Sustainable Design
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