October 2011 Archives

Cities that have the most complex and messy street patterns provide the most walkable and enjoyable experiences for visitors and residents, argued Allan Jacobs, the former director of San Francisco's city planning department, at a recent conference in Vancouver BC. Jacobs listed cities that have numerous intersections per square mile as a guide to their walkability. Some of the most walkable cities include San Francisco, which has 300 intersections in the Market Street area, along with Paris (281), Tokyo (988), Savannah, Ga., (538) and Portland (341). more

The University of Michigan's Graham Institute plans to fund at least five planning grants worth $20,000 each. The grants will focus on analyzing transportation policies, interventions, innovations, and partnerships that best enable urban areas to create more livable communities.

Letter of Intent Due Date: October 11, 2011

Grant Proposal Due Date: October 31, 2011

More information:
http://www.graham.umich.edu/ia/livable-communities.php

The National Center for Safe Routes to School is now accepting applications for 25 mini-grants of $1,000 each. Funds can be used to help start or sustain a safe walking and bicycling program, or to develop new ideas that explore the range of benefits of safe walking and bicycling to schools.

Applications Due: October 19, 2011

Learn more: http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/funding-portal/mini-grants/call-for-applications

The U.S. Department of Transportation requests proposals for the University Transportation Centers Program Open Competition. The purpose of the Centers is to advance U.S. technology and expertise in transportation through research, education, and technology transfer. Approximately $80 million is expected to be available to fund up to 22 awards.

Applications Due: October 26, 2011

Learn more: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?mode=VIEW&oppId=108433

The U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers are facing budget troubles and several parks they operate throughout Alabama are in jeopardy of closing.

Volunteers in Monroe County are doing what they can to make sure Isaac Creek Campground doesn't close. The U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers have given the volunteers until November 1st to show prove that the park needs to remain open.

 
http://www2.wkrg.com/news/2011/sep/21/volunteers-working-keep-park-open-ar-2444380/

Members of The Cahaba Foundation on Tuesday donated 27 acres to the Alabama Historical Commission to help preserve the site, and they are trying to purchase the remaining acres of what was the state's first capital.

"It's an absolutely magical place," said site director and archeologist Linda Derry. The site -- which had also been the location of Native American settlements for thousands of years -- is archeologically rich, Derry said.

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2011/09/foundation_working_to_preserve.html

Written by the Partnership for Sustainable Communities, this report examines efforts by advocates and government agencies to build public and political support for affordable housing developments and to counteract negative attitudes toward affordable housing. The document describes 15 campaigns from across the nation, with reproductions of some of the advertisements used in those campaigns.
http://www.p4sc.org/articles/purchase/what-works-and-why-affordable-housing-communications-campaigns-2000-2010

Managed by the US Department of Transportation, the Transportation Planning Excellence Awards Program recognizes outstanding initiatives to develop, plan, and implement innovative transportation planning practices across the country. Winners represent a variety of planning organizations, and will receive awards at the Transportation Research Board Summer Meeting in 2012 on the West Coast. Nominations accepted October 1 to December 1, 2011.
http://www.planning.dot.gov/tpea2012/

TALLADEGA -- Cheaha Trail Riders Inc., based in Talladega County, was awarded the "Club of the Year" for 2011 by the National Off Highway Vehicle Conservation Council at its annual meeting in Minneapolis, Minn.

Of all the Off Highway Vehicle organizations in the 50-state region, Cheaha Trail Riders Inc. was chosen for this award.

"This is fantastic," co-founder and president Glenn Myers said. "Our people have worked hard in advocating OHV Safety and Education, along with promoting the building of new OHV trail systems throughout Alabama and the USA."

Read more: The Daily Home - Cheaha Trail Riders win national award

Transformation: Creating New Life from Existing Assets
 
Thursday, November 3, 2011, 8:30am - 3:30pm
McWane Science Center, 200 19th Street North, Birmingham, AL  35203
  
Free parking in parking deck adjacent to McWane Center on 2nd Avenue North.
Enter Events Center on Level C.

Agenda

EPA's Office of Sustainable Communities is currently offering two technical assistance opportunities: Smart Growth Implementation Assistance and Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities. Both programs have calls for letters of interest open from September 28 to October 28, 2011.

The Smart Growth Implementation Assistance (SGIA) program focuses on complex or cutting-edge issues and can take about 18 months. These projects explore innovative ideas to overcome barriers that are preventing communities from getting the kind of development they want. Potential topics for this round of assistance include economic development for rural communities, resilience planning for natural hazards, linking planning for land use and economic development, using locally generated energy, and smart growth for tribal communities. EPA will choose up to four communities to receive assistance.

The Building Blocks program provides targeted technical assistance to communities that face common development problems.  It employs a variety of tools such as improving pedestrian access and safety, zoning code reviews, and housing and transportation evaluations. EPA will select up to 50 communities and provide direct assistance by EPA staff and private sector experts.

Applicants should determine which technical assistance program is right for their community.

More information on the SGIA program and the request for letters of interest:  http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/sgia.htm

More information on Building Blocks and the request for letters of interest:  http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/buildingblocks.htm

An interactive map on the Alabama Tourism Department's website allows visitors to see the predicted fall color change for each weekend this fall.  The map, a list of recommended viewing sites and a Circle of Color driving route are all available on the state tourism website at www.alabama.travel.     

Large concentrations of hardwoods make Alabama State Parks some of the best places to enjoy the fall color change.  Joe Wheeler has an excellent viewing spot next to the dam and near the cabin area on the Lawrence County side.  Autumn scenery can be found at DeSoto State Park at Little River Canyon and DeSoto Falls.  Monte Sano has views of the Tennessee Valley along the Warpath Ridge Trail and its overlook.  Cheaha's Bald Rock and Pulpit Rock trails both have excellent views.  Cheaha is the highest point in the state at 2,407 feet above sea level. With cooler days and lower humidity, autumn is a wonderful time to enjoy Alabama's many fall festivals and events. Lee Sentell, director of the Alabama Tourism Department, recommends several events designed around being outdoors and enjoying the beautiful fall weather.

Outdoor events scheduled for this fall include:

• Old Town Walking Tour in Huntsville on Oct. 8
• National Shrimp Festival in Gulf Shores on Oct. 13-16
• Kentuck Festival of the Arts in Northport on Oct. 15-16
• Original German Sausage Festival in Elberta on Oct. 29
• Alabama Frontier Days in Wetumpka on Nov. 2-6
• Pike Road Arts and Crafts Festival in Pike Road on Nov. 5
• Cayne Syrup Makin' Day in Beatrice on Nov. 5
• Native American Heritage Weekend in Fort Payne on Nov.18-21
• Galaxy of Lights in Huntsville on Nov.24-Dec.31
• Christmas on the River in Demopolis on Dec.1-Dec. 4
• A complete list of fall events is available at www.alabama.travel.