Posted on June 24, 2011 2:48 PM
June 24, 2011
Table of Contents
First Off...
Data apps contest. Led by MCIC (Metro Chicago Information Center), today a team that includes the City of Chicago, CMAP, and The Chicago Community Trust announced "Apps for Metro Chicago," a contest that challenges talented programmers across the region to develop data-driven software applications that increase government transparency. MetroPulse is among the portals for which developers are encouraged to create apps. Awards will total $50,000, with support from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Illinois Science and Technology Coalition, the Motorola Mobility Foundation, and The Chicago Community Trust. Read more at FOX News Chicago and watch Channel 32 tonight at 9:00 p.m. for an interview that includes CMAP's Drew Williams-Clark.
Lake Zurich water survey. The Village of Lake Zurich faces a number of important water management decisions and is surveying its residents about household water usage and local water concerns. To develop an integrated water resources plan addressing water supply, wastewater, and storm water management, the Village is working with a team of experts from the Metropolitan Planning Council, CMAP, the Center for Neighborhood Technology, Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant, and University of Illinois Extension. CMAP's staff support is made possible through our HUD-funded Local Technical Assistance program. Read more about this project in the Great Lakes Echo.
Other News and Announcements
CMAQ forum for Contingency Implementation Projects. CMAP’s Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program Project Selection Committee is considering a new strategy to assure that the region loses none of its highly-valued federal CMAQ funds. They will consider recommending that these funds be programmed for large, CMAQ-eligible construction/implementation projects that support GO TO 2040 and that can begin construction before the fall of 2013. Please submit potential projects to Holly Ostdick (HOstdick@cmap.illinois.gov) and plan to attend a forum to present their merits and project status/readiness on June 28 at 1:00 p.m.
Building a Sustainable Community. On July 27, join the West Suburban Branch of the U.S. Green Building Council's (USGBC) Illinois Chapter, CMAP, Farr Associates, and the Congress for New Urbanism for a roundtable program on how local governments can achieve sustainable communities. Attendees will learn about key principles of smart planning, the LEED for Neighborhood Development tool, and how GO TO 2040 can help communities to plan for a greener, livable tomorrow. The event will be held from 8:00 a.m. to noon at V3 Companies (7325 Janes Avenue, Woodridge). The cost is $15 for government/municipal employees and USGBC Chapter Members, and $30 for non-members.
PASCAL innovation conference. Northern Illinois University will host PASCAL 2011, an annual international conference that will focus on emerging strategies for sustainable, transformative regional development generated through new relationships among higher education, government, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector. Stay tuned for more information about CMAP's support for and participation in this special event, which will be held October 3-5 in Naperville.
Implementing GO TO 2040. Construction on the Englewood Flyover Bridge on the Metra Rock Island line is scheduled to begin this year, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. The bridge would fix delays caused by freight and 78 commuter trains daily competing to use the line’s tracks. These are among improvements to the Rock Island Metra line that are included in GO TO 2040’s priority capital projects.
Evanston’s Green Award. Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl of Evanston accepted an award on her city’s behalf at the 2011 Mayors’ Climate Protection Awards. The awards recognize mayors of U.S. cities both large and small for innovating ways to increase energy efficiency and reduce global warming pollution.
Weave beta release. Also related to MetroPulse is an announcement today by the Open Indicators Consortium (OIC), of which CMAP is a member. OIC and the University of Massachusetts Lowell have "soft launched" their Weave BETA 1.0 open source data analysis and visualization platform.
ACEEE case study. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) recently profiled the local Energy Savers program in a new case study.
Economic recovery report. The Brookings Institution has posted a report that tracks progress toward economic recovery in the 100 largest U.S. metro areas. It includes a series of maps categorized by indicators such as employment, unemployment, gross metropolitan product, and housing.
CMAP Blogs
Policy Updates. This week, we wrote about steps being taken at the local and state levels in Illinois to support efficient governance through access to information and coordination. We also wrote about the recently passed amendment to a City of Chicago zoning ordinance that facilitates the establishment of for-profit rooftop farms.
Green Signals. CMAP's transportation operations blog informed readers of the Managing and Operating Regional Arterial and Freeway Systems Conference, sponsored by the Transportation Research Board (TRB).
Soles and Spokes. CMAP’s bike-ped planning blog gave readers an update on the Techny Trail in the Village of Glenview. The segment discussed, which is nearing completion, was funded through a CMAQ grant. We also highlighted a study on pedestrian connectivity in suburban areas with multifamily housing.
Reminders
DCEO "IKE" Planning Program. CMAP intends to apply in late June for $4 million through the Illinois Disaster Recovery "IKE" Planning Program administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). The proposal would create a program of grants for local governments to support community redevelopment and hazard mitigation. Eligible projects would address stormwater management, flood prevention, and green infrastructure through comprehensive planning. CMAP is seeking support from government or nongovernmental partners. To discuss potential roles, please contact Stephen Ostrander (sostrander@cmap.illinois.gov or 312-386-8696) by June 24. Read more in a staff memo to the CMAP Board and answers to these Frequently Asked Questions.
HUD Preferred Sustainability Status. CMAP’s successful application for a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Sustainable Communities Regional Planning grant, which supports the Local Technical Assistance program, has also given our region “Preferred Sustainability Status.” This means that for certain competitive programs, HUD will award bonus points to applications from our region that further the goals of GO TO 2040 and federal livability principles. For more details, please see this CMAP fact sheet.
Apply for FLIP. The 2011-2012 FLIP (Future Leaders in Planning) application is now 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.
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).
Events
"Leave No Child Inside" Month
June 2011
Various dates and locations
Hosted by Chicago Wilderness partners
More information
Health in All Policies Symposium
June 28, 2011
9:00 a.m. to noon
233 South Wacker Drive, Suite 800, Chicago
Hosted by Illinois Public Health Institute and others
Registration
MetroPulse webinar for municipal staff
June 30, 2011
9:00 to 10:00 a.m.
Free registration
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