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Growing pains: Innovative technical assistance
program helps community leaders confront critical development
issues
The Urban Land Institute Chicago (ULI Chicago) and Campaign
for Sensible Growth are partners in technical assistance panels that help local
communities resolve development dilemmas.
On May 13, 2003, representatives from Richmond, Highwood and Hanover Park
– which have recently completed panels -- will participate in a roundtable to
examine the results of the program. The ULI Chicago/Campaign panels bring
together real estate, planning and development experts to provide unbiased,
pragmatic advice on complex land use and development issues. “Through this partnership, local
governments gain access to sophisticated advice and experience,” says Campaign
Manager Ellen Shubart. “Our experts
were able to provide ways to connect housing, transportation and community
livability issues. On the May 13,
we will see how the panels’ sensible growth recommendations have guided local
action.”
Panelists include the, Mayor Kevin Brusek of Richmond,
Village Manager Marc Hummel of Hanover Park, and Paul Diambri, Highwood’s city
attorney. Jack Neal, managing
director, Banc One Capital Markets, will moderate.
Since 2001, ULI Chicago and the Campaign have conducted
technical assistance panels in Highland Park, Hanover Park, Humboldt Park,
Chicago and Richmond.
Contact: Ellen Shubart , Campaign for Sensible Growth Manager, 312.863.6009
MPC plans to hold zoning workshops in Rogers Park,
Southeast Chicago, Logan Square, North Lawndale and Humboldt Park.
The Mayor’s Zoning Reform Commission is midway through
rewriting Chicago’s zoning ordinance, “building blocks” that will define the
shape of Chicago’s future development. MPC remains encouraged by the initial
progress, and is intensifying its outreach to ensure broad public input. MPC
will provide technical assistance to five communities this year, so that each
one is fully prepared to benefit from this critical phase of zoning reform. MPC plans to hold mapping workshops in
Chicago’s 49th Ward (Rogers Park), 10th Ward (Southeast
Chicago), 26th Ward (Humboldt Park), 35th Ward (Logan
Square) and 24th Ward (North Lawndale). Technical assistance from MPC will help
aldermen and community groups identify assets and challenges in their
communities that may be addressed through the zoning ordinance. “Community investment in the mapping
aspect of zoning reform is crucial for its success,” says Peter Skosey, MPC vice
president of external relations. “It is the people who live in a neighborhood
who best know what’s working and what’s not. Our role is to help them negotiate the citywide mapping process so that
their voices are heard by the city.”
Contact: Peter Skosey , Vice President of External Relations,
312.863.6004
MPC spring roundtables address key challenges facing
our state: housing options, transit service and education funding.
This spring, MPC’s roundtable series is especially practical
given the new administration in Springfield. The first is on April 29. Kelly King Dibble, executive director of
Illinois Housing Development Authority and, U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) will
talk about the challenges Illinois faces with affordable and mixed-income
housing.
On May 2, Ill. Sen. Debbie Halvorson (D-Crete), Rhonda Reed
of the Federal Transit Administration, Mark Fowler of Northwest Municipal
Conference and Don DeGraff, president of the Village of South Holland, will
discuss how the Southland and the greater region can be competitive for federal
transportation funds.
Education funding in Illinois is the focus of the last spring
roundtable on May 15. Bindu Batchu,
manager of Network 21: Quality Schools for Stronger Communities, will moderate a
panel with Arne Duncan, CEO of Chicago Public Schools, District 300
Superintendent Dr. Kenneth Arndt, and Doug Hanson, a high school teacher and
member of the Illinois Farm Bureau Education Funding Advisory Board Task Force.
MPC roundtables are exceptional opportunities to explore some
of the critical issues facing the region and state. They are lunchtime events that require
reservations. Cost is $10 for
members and $25 for non-members.
There is no cost for media. To register, visit MPC on the Web at
www.metroplanning.org/calendar.asp
Contact: Peter Skosey,
Vice President of External Relations, 312.863.6004
U.S. Rep. Lipinski’s National Rail Infrastructure
Fund builds on Business Leaders for Transportation recommendations
Freight tonnage is expected to grow 67 percent by 2020, and
without significant federal investment, the national rail will not be able to
handle that growth. The result will
be more traffic and congestion on the nation’s highways and a significant loss
of jobs for northeastern Illinois. Recognizing the crisis and its far-reaching
implications, U.S. Rep. William O. Lipinski (D-Ill.) has introduced bipartisan
legislation that would help fund critical improvements to rail infrastructure
and guarantee a predictable and stable funding source. Business Leaders for Transportation is a
member of RAIL (Rail Advocates for Infrastructure Legislation), a national
coalition advocating for a national rail infrastructure program. RAIL was created to lend business, labor
and community support to this initiative.
The coalition continues to work closely with Rep. Lipinski to promote
legislation that will ensure the revitalization and continued growth of the
nation’s rail system. “Without this
legislation our rail system – for both both freight and commuters – will not be able to meet demand,” says
MarySue Barrett, president of Metropolitan Planning Council, “The work Business
Leaders, RAIL, Rep. Lipinski and the railroad industry have done to identify
solutions and a way to fund them is groundbreaking and absolutely
necessary.”
Contact: Karyn Romano , Transportation Director, 312.863.6005