Economic-Environmental Partnerships for Smart Growth: Conference Follow-up
The directors of Rhode Island's principal agencies for
economic development and environmental protection
engaged an audience of 100 professionals and
community leaders in an interactive discussion of our
state's challenges and opportunities in integrating the
needs of the economy with those of the
environment.
Grow Smart executive director Scott Wolf moderated a
2-hour panel discussion featuring Michael McMahon,
Director of the RI Economic Development Corporation,
Jan Reitsma, Director of the RI Department of
Environmental Management and Grover Fugate, Director
of the RI Coastal Resources Management Council.
The discussion focused on three broad topics: Setting
goals in a tight economy; Creating strategies to
jumpstart brownfield redevelopment; and The role of
emerging environmental technologies in Rhode Island's
economy.
The Conference was co-hosted by Grow Smart Rhode Island and the
Rhode Island Chapter of the Environmental Business Council of New England
Final Registration List
Providence Journal Article
Providence Business News Article
Providence Business News Editorial
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Dear John,
Welcome to another issue of "Smart Growth e-Briefs", a
monthly update of the latest happenings and tools in
the smart growth movement.
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| Historic Tax Credit Program Paying Big Dividends in RI | | |  The state commercial historic tax credit program, which
went into effect in January 2002 after intense advocay
by Grow Smart & many other organizations, is already
showing a significant return on investment. Plans for
56 proposed projects have since been approved
representing an investment of $189 million and an
estimated 8,500 new jobs, according to the Rhode
Island Historic Preservation & Heritage Commission
(RIHPHC), the agency that administers the state and
federal historic tax credit programs.Compared to the 24-month period before the law took
effect, the number of projects utilizing historic tax
credits has tripled and the amount of investment in
commercial preservation has increased ten-fold. The
law is also demonstrating the potential to help ease a
statewide housing crisis. The number of low &
moderate income housing units to be rehabbed through
the use of historic tax credits has doubled to 193 and
the number of market rate housing units to be created
increased from 8 to 750. See How The Tax Credits Work
Rhode Island Historic Preservation & Heritage Commission
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| Grow Smart & Partners Announce 4 Training Programs | | |  Grow Smart Rhode Island and its coalition of training partners will present four different training programs for municipalities in the fall of 2003 and winter/spring of 2004. In addition to continuing to offer Making Good Land-Use Decisions, which has been presented to 25 communities to date, the coalition will present three new training programs on Affordable Housing, Conservation Development and Site Plan Review. Training announcements have already been mailed to municipal administrators, planners and planning board chairs. Download the Flyer
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| Grants Available to Aid Affordable Housing Plans | | | The Rhode Island Housing & Mortgage Finance
Corporation (RIHMFC) has announced the availability of
$100,000. in Targeted Assistance Grants to help
municipalities comply with the state Low & Moderate
Income Housing Act. These grants are available to
fund the development of plans that encourage the
creation of affordable housing, and can also be used for
other activities from producing neighborhood
revitalization plans to conducting housing feasibility
studies. The grants are available on an on-going basis until all
funds have been committed. For more info, contact us
at 457-1146.
More Information
Email Us
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| Density: Myth & Reality | | |  The Boston Society of Architects (BSA), the American
Institutes of Architects (AIA) national committees on
Housing and Regional and Urban Design, the AIA's
Center for Livable Communities and the BSA's Civic
Initiative for a Livable New England are sponsoring a
national conference on density on September 12-14,
2003 in Boston. The program-"Density: Myth and
Reality"- has two components: a national conference
for design professionals, planners, journalists and
municipal officials and a national design competition to
be held in advance of the conference.Density can play a key role in reviving urban centers,
containing sprawl, and creating a sense of place in
older suburban environments. The conference will
address this controversial topic and explore "designing
for density" in settings that range from large and small
cities to older suburbs. Conference Details
Boston Globe Op/Ed by BSA President David Dixon
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| Grow Smart Joins "Best Workplaces For Commuters" Coalition | | |  Grow Smart Rhode Island is pleased to announce that it
has joined a coalition of partners in the EPA's "Best
Workplaces for Commuters" campaign. The New
England Best Workplaces for Commuters list - similar to
Fortune Magazine's list of the 100 best employers to
work for - recognizes employers with outstanding
commuter benefits such as transit passes, vanpool
subsidies, bike and telework programs.Employers who qualify and get on the list by September
30 will receive media recognition and promotion
throughout the fall. To find out if your employer
qualifies, click below. See if Your Employer Qualifies
2003 Preliminary List of "Best Workplaces Commuters"
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| National Vacant Properties Campaign Launched | | |  Rhode Island communities can now benefit from tools
and technical assistance being made available through
the National Vacant Properties Campaign.The campaign is a project of Smart Growth America
(SGA), the International City/County Management
Association (ICMA) and the Local Initiatives Support
Corporation (LISC). The campaign is funded by the
generous support of the Fannie Mae Foundation and
the US Environmental Protection Agency.
Download Brochure (292 kb pdf)
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Realtors See Improving Market for Smart Growth |
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In its current issue of On Common Ground, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION of REALTORS (NAR) presents a series of articles that address the subject of supply and demand for Smart Growth. According to the NAR, a recent survey indicates that the market potential of Smart Growth is increasing.
By looking at particular market niches, such as
homebuyers who want to live near transit, or those
who wish to live in historic urban neighborhoods, and
by studying survey, demographic, and property
investment data, the NAR is beginning to piece
together what the future of Smart Growth might be.
View the Articles
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How Walkable is your Community? |
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The Walkability Checklist can help you find the answer. Inside you'll find insightful questions, allowing you to evaluate your neighborhood's walkability. In addition to the questions, the Checklist provides both immediate and long-term solutions to potential problems.
Pick a place to walk, like the route to school or a friend's house. As you walk, use the checklist to describe problem areas and things to change. After the walk, answer all of the questions and you'll see how your route rates on the walkability scale. Take heart if you find problems, there are many ways you can make a positive difference.
Download the Checklist (216k)
WalkingInfo.org
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If You Appreciate Our Work ... |
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... why not make a contribution. Grow Smart Rhode Island is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization representing a broad coalition of interests dedicated to reversing the negative impacts of sprawl and urban disinvestment. We depend on tax-deductible contributions from concerned individuals and organizations to carry out the fight for better-managed growth, a strong, sustainable economy, a healthy environment and a just society for all Rhode Islanders. Please consider a donation of $30, $50, $100, $500, $1000 or whatever is right for your budget. We'll send a written tax-deductible receipt for your records. Simply click on the credit card below. Thank you.
Download our printed form and mail in
See Who's Contributing to Grow Smart
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