MPO officials and local residents will meet with representatives from Smart Growth America on July 9 and 10, 2013 as part of a free, grant-funded technical assistance program. The transportation performance measurement strategies identified during the workshop will help the MPO strategically select priority projects as part of its long-range transportation plan, with the goal of achieving more sustainable development.
“The Smart Growth America technical assistance workshop will build upon the momentum of The Tomorrow Plan as the MPO moves into the next iteration of our long-range transportation plan. The assistance will help ensure that all projects included in the plan are performance driven, support smart growth principles, and save taxpayers money,” said Todd Ashby, Executive Director of the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization.
Des Moines area residents are invited to join the workshop’s first day for an introductory presentation that will feature a broad overview of strategies for transportation performance measurement. The event will be held July 9, 2013 at 5:30 PM at the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (420 Watson Powell, Jr., Way, Suite 200).
“Smart Growth America is committed to providing training to help local community leaders keep cities and towns livable, sustainable and vital places,” said Roger Millar, Smart Growth America Vice President. “Using the impetus of The Tomorrow Plan, Greater Des Moines is embracing tools that will enable them to make decisions based on sound smart growth principles, moving them forward in their vision of a more sustainable transportation system.”
In November 2012, the Des Moines Area Metropolitan Planning Organization was one of 22 applicants selected by Smart Growth America to participate in the free technical assistance program. Stretching from Maine to Washington State, these communities represent major cities, suburban centers, and rural towns alike.
The program, made possible through a five-year Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Sustainable Communities, seeks to develop local planning solutions that help communities grow in ways that benefit families and businesses, while protecting the environment and preserving a sense of place. Three other nonprofit organizations—Forterra, Global Green USA and Project for Public Spaces—also received competitively awarded grants under this program to help communities get the kinds of development they want.
As a national leader in the field, Smart Growth America has accumulated extensive experience working with communities to help them use land strategically, make the most of existing resources and invest strategically to catalyze private development.
Smart Growth America is the only national organization dedicated to researching, advocating for and leading coalitions to bring smart growth practices to more communities nationwide. From providing more sidewalks to ensuring more homes are built near public transportation or that productive farms remain a part of our communities, smart growth helps make sure people across the nation can live in great neighborhoods. For additional information visit www.smartgrowthamerica.org.
For more information, please contact Craig Chester with Smart Growth America, MPO Chairperson Chris Coleman, or Bethany Wilcoxon, Senior Transportation Planner.