With unprecedented federal funding opportunities to invest in active transportation infrastructure, cutting through the bureaucracy to get community developed visions from plans to pavement have many communities and advocates seeking ways to get them done.
Moving the Needle: Practical Lessons Steering Active Transportation Projects to Completion
Are you tired of seeing great active transportation projects sitting on the shelf, stalled, or scheduled for construction sometime in the 2030’s? Municipalities and community organizations on Aquidneck Island had enough with seeing the same critical bicycle and pedestrian projects appear on plan after plan…and decided it was time to get things moving. Discover how ‘Ride Island’ is changing the conversation through a combination of branding (Ride Island…geddit?), collaboration among municipalities, focused planning and technical assistance, and good old-fashioned community organizing. Year two of the initiative will include more pilot projects, a study tour…so come find out more.
Shawna Kitzman, Senior Planner, Toole Design (Moderator)
Bari Freeman, Executive Director, Bike Newport
Thomas Brendler, Senior Program Officer, van Beuren Charitable Foundation
Sen. Lou DiPalma, State Senator, District 12
Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong, Mayor, City of Newport
This will be among 13 panel discussions taking place on a variety of community development topics as part of Grow Smart RI’s Power of Place Summit on Friday, May 3rd at the Rhode Island Convention Center. The biennial Summit, which runs from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., brings together diverse stakeholders from across the region to network, learn and collaborate around community development policies that help shape healthy, vibrant and more prosperous communities for all Rhode Islanders.
The Summit will also celebrate people, projects and policies that are moving our state in the right direction by leveraging Rhode Island’s place-based assets to improve the lives of all residents. They will be recognized during the luncheon program at the Summit.
Complete information about the Summit, including a detailed agenda, registration information and a description of Smart Growth Award recipients can be found at https://www.growsmartri.com/summit/
Source: Ride Island/Bike Newport