Posted on August 26, 2011 3:43 PM
CMAP Weekly Update, 8-26-11
Among today's highlights from CMAP executive director Randy Blankenhorn, the Illinois Tollway board approved a 15-year, $12 billion capital plan, Homes for a Changing Region begins a workshop series, and the CMAP Policy Updates blog describes a possible national infrastructure bank and a grant program to help municipalities improve local waterways. Subscribe to receive Weekly Updates by email.
Table of Contents
First Off...
Tollway plan approved. Yesterday the Illinois Tollway board of directors
approved the proposed 15-year, $12 billion
capital plan that will help to ensure our region's continued economic competitiveness and quality of life. Prior to the vote, I spoke to the board in support of the plan, which aligns closely with
GO TO 2040 priorities. Particularly in this era where federal and state funds are not available to adequately maintain and modernize our transportation system, GO TO 2040 emphasizes user fees that reflect the true costs of congestion as the preferred funding mechanism. WBBM Radio's coverage included a
short clip from my testimony.
CMAP annual report online. Our FY11
annual report is now available online. It includes highlights of the past year's activities by CMAP Board and staff, including selected details of the agency's work plan.
Other News and Announcements
Homes for a Changing Region workshops. The public is encouraged to attend interactive workshops this September in five west Cook County communities: Bellwood, Berwyn, Forest Park, Maywood, and Oak Park. The events will bring residents together to begin creating a collective vision for future housing in their communities. Homes for a Changing Region is a project of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus (MMC), in partnership with CMAP's Local Technical Assistance (LTA) program with support from the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC).
Agriculture industry legislation. Three
recently signed bills will support the agriculture industry and access to farmers' markets in Illinois. The bills will allow certain homemade foods to be sold at Illinois farmers’ markets, create a task force that will recommend statewide farmers’ markets regulations, and require the state to create a plan to increase Illinois agriculture-related tourism opportunities.
Media tip sheet. On Tuesday, CMAP issued its latest media
tip sheet, which includes analysis from the Policy Updates blog on transportation bill and gas tax reauthorizations, CMAP's support for the Illinois Tollway capital plan, the upcoming National League of Cities event in Chicago, and more.
Design on the Edge. On Friday, September 23, the Chicago Architecture Foundation (CAF) will open its new exhibition, "Design on the Edge: Chicago Architects Reimagine Neighborhoods." Located in the Santa Fe Building at 224 S. Michigan Ave., the exhibition will display cutting-edge concepts for seven neighborhoods, intended to inspire residents to imagine a more connected and sustainable city. On October 4 at the Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies (610 S. Michigan Ave.), CAF will host a
roundtable featuring legendary architect Stanley Tigerman, who selected the architects who contributed to the exhibition.
Registration for the October 4 event costs $10 for CAF members and $15 for non-members.
Moving Forward Together. Mercy Housing will host its annual event,
Moving Forward Together, on October 19 at Swissotel in Chicago. Purchase
tickets online.
WBEZ on BRT. Chicago Public Radio recently featured a
10-minute piece on the potential for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in our region.
Active Trans survey. The Active Transportation Alliance is kicking off a new project,
Riders for Better Transit, to represent the needs of Chicagoland transit riders. Take a
survey by September 30 to be entered into a raffle to receive a $100 gift card.
TOD photo contest. The Center for Neighborhood Technology is sponsoring a
contest for transit oriented development (TOD) photographs from Cook, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Will, and DuPage Counties. The deadline for submissions is September 5.
CMAP Blogs
Policy Updates. Two new proposals for a national infrastructure bank would provide loans and credit assistance, much like commercial banks, to infrastructure projects. We also wrote about two grant programs that recently awarded a number of local municipalities and organizations funds to improve local waterways.
Green Signals. CMAP’s transportation operations blog told readers about the upcoming “Managing Traffic Demand to Address Congestion” workshop hosted by the Federal Highway Administration.
Soles and Spokes. CMAP’s bike-ped planning blog featured an edition of the Transportation Research Board (TRB) journal, Transportation Research Record, which is dedicated to non-motorized transportation. We also reported on another study, “Making the Case for Investment in the Walking Environment,” which explores the potential benefits of investing in the walking environment.
Reminders
CMAQ program public review. CMAP has released the proposed FY 2012 - FY 2016 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) program for a 30-day
public review and comment period. CMAP has developed a $400 million five-year program of CMAQ projects that improve air quality, mitigate congestion, and help to implement
GO TO 2040. The proposed program is available for public comment through 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 3, 2011.
TIP Amendments. CMAP is seeking public comment on a conformity amendment to the FFY 2010-2015 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Comments are due by September 3, 2011, and can be provided in writing "ATTN: TIP amendments,"
e-mail, or phone 312-454-0400. Conformity is an analysis of projects in the TIP to ensure that transportation projects will help the region meet air quality goals. Review the cover memo and list of project changes at the
TIP webpage.
GIS workshops. CMAP offers a low-cost, introductory, hands-on
ArcGIS 10 workshop. The next two-day sessions will be October 26 to 27 and November 30 to December 1, 2011. Cost is $350 per person, which includes a manual. Please contact Jan Drennan (
jdrennan@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8686) or David Clark (
dcclark@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8682).
Case study library. CMAP is building a searchable web database of completed local projects that reflect recommendations of the GO TO 2040 plan. If you know of an exemplary project that should be included, please contact Lindsay Banks (
lbanks@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8826).
HUD planning grants. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced this year’s
Community Challenge Planning Grant Program. The program will award approximately $28.6 million in grants to support local projects, which may include amending or replacing local master plans, zoning codes, and building codes to promote mixed-use development, affordable housing, the reuse of older buildings and structures for new purposes, and similar activities with the goal of promoting sustainability at the local or neighborhood level. CMAP asks communities that apply to let us know by contacting Stephen Ostrander (
sostrander@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8696). New
resources, including an archived webcast and FAQs, are now available on-line. Applications must be submitted through
http://www.grants.gov/ by September 9, 2011.
Apply for FLIP. The 2011-2012
FLIP (Future Leaders in Planning)
application is available. Please share materials with local high school students who would like to learn about planning and contribute to a better future for our region. Keep up with FLIP at its
Facebook page.
Events
Homes for a Changing Region -- Maywood
September 1, 2011
6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
200 S. 5th Avenue, Maywood
Hosted by MMC, CMAP, MPC
More information
Homes for a Changing Region -- Oak Park
September 8, 2011
7:00 to 9:30 p.m.
Nineteenth Century Charitable Association: 178 Forest Avenue, Oak Park
Hosted by MMC, CMAP, MPC
More information
Green Economy Roadshow (GEAR) South
September 9 to 10, 2011
Moraine Valley Community College: 9000 W. College Parkway, Palos Hills
Hosted by the Delta Institute and Mindful Metropolis
More information
Urban Tree Growth International Meeting and Research Symposium
September 12 to 13, 2011
The Morton Arboretum: 4100 Illinois Route 53, Lisle
More information
Midwest Clean Tech 2011
September 14, 2011
Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago: 230 S. LaSalle Street, Chicago
Hosted by the Global Midwest Alliance
Registration
Homes for a Changing Region -- Berwyn
September 14, 2011
6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Proska Park: 3001 S. Wisconsin Avenue, Berwyn
Hosted by MMC, CMAP, MPC
More information
Kane/Kendall Council of Mayors Planning Commissioner Workshop
September 17 and October 1, 2011
8:30 a.m. to noon
Kane County Government Center Auditorium (Building A): 719 S. Batavia Avenue, Geneva
More information
Understanding the LEED for Neighborhood Development Rating System
September 19, 2011
Merchandise Mart Conference Center: 350 W. Mart Center, 2nd Floor, Chicago
Hosted by the U.S. Green Buildings Council - Illinois Chapter
Registration
Homes for a Changing Region -- Bellwood
September 19, 2011
6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Village Hall Community Room: 3200 Washington Boulevard, Bellwood
Hosted by MMC, CMAP, MPC
More information
Building Cities, Building Futures
September 20, 2011
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Ritz-Carlton Chicago: 160 E. Pearson Street, Chicago
Hosted by National League of Cities, CMAP, MPC
More information
Homes for a Changing Region -- Forest Park
September 20, 2011
6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Howard Mohr Community Center: 7640 Jackson Boulevard, Forest Park
Hosted by MMC, CMAP, MPC
More information
West Central Municipal Conference Planning Commissioner Workshop
September 24 and November 5, 2011
8:30 a.m. to noon
Grant Park Recreation Center (East Room): 44 W. Golfview Drive, Northlake
More information
Second Campton Hills Planning Meeting
September 26, 2011
6:30 to 8:00 p.m.
Wasco Elementary School: 4N782 School Street, Campton Hills
Hosted by the Village of Campton Hills and CMAP
More information
APA-IL Annual Conference
October 5 to 7, 2011
Evanston, IL
Hosted by the American Planning Association - Illinois Chapter
More information
South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association Planning Commissioner Workshop
October 8 and November 12, 2011
8:30 a.m. to noon
South Suburban Mayors & Managers Association: 1904 W. 174th Street, East Hazel Crest
More information
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