Community Playmaker - Issue 04 - April 2024

HOW DULUTH, MINNESOTA IS CASTING A VISION FOR THE FUTURE

We serve municipal leaders of communities large and small by bringing together the intersection of tourism, economic development, amateur sports, and recreation in a way that no one else does. We bring private-sector innovation to government leaders to help protect and secure the future of sport, recreation, and tourism in America.

Editor in Chief

Ashley Whittaker

Feature Editor

Johnny Crosskey

Digital Editor

Johnny Crosskey

Assistant Editors

Ali Yenchick

Creative Team

Tristan Makaroff

Makenna Parks

Research Coordinator

Cameron Connelly

Website Manager

Stephen Shafii

Event Manager

Alize Farhat

Contributing Writers

Suzanne Wentley

Andrew Cohen

Natalie Hamren

Michael LoRe

James Hicks

There’s no perfect city.

We all know it. Cities are fraught with challenges. With an eye on progress- we bring you stories from around the country that demonstrate the vision and resourcefulness required to lead game-changing initiatives. Their impact is not limited to the local community but sets the bar for future developments.

We talked to experts and city leaders in Oregon and Minnesota, who are at the forefront of making cities more walkable, about challenges and best practices. We take you to Hoboken, New Jersey to learn how they’ve gone all in on the Vision Zero initiative to make their streets safer for pedestrians. And we learned how small communities in Florida and Colorado are driving economic impact through a focus on building thriving arts cultures.

We hope these articles provide you with insight and inspiration to make your community stand out in the minds of residents and visitors.

Peace, Love, and Public Service,

Johnny Crosskey Managing Editor, Community Playmaker Magazine

Johnny Crosskey Issue 04: Spring 2024

No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without the permission in writing from the publisher, except small excerpts for review purposes. Submitted work, reviews, ads, and photographs are copyrighted by their respective owners. Copyright Community Playmaker Magazine 2024. The Sports Facilities Companies are a proud partner and sponsor of Community Playmaker.

Image Source: Visit Duluth

MOUNTAIN TOUGH: CINDY OGLE

SHAPING GATLINBURG’S FUTURE AND ELEVATING YOUTH SPORTS TOURISM

By James Hicks & Johnny Crosskey

Mountain Tough. It’s a term that embodies many of the residents of Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It was seen in how they quickly responded to devastating wildfires that engulfed large portions of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and ravaged Gatlinburg in 2016. It can also be seen in the indomitable spirit of the community’s longtime and retiring city manager, Cindy Ogle.

In a job where the demands often lead to short tenures (one to two years, according to data from Zippia.com), Ogle maintained her post for 35 years. Ogle attributes her longevity, in part, to marrying her husband Bud and his highly respected family (the Ogles) in Gatlinburg. During

her time leading the operational aspects of Gatlinburg’s government, Ogle has been the driving force behind a variety of initiatives that have gone on to shape a city that’s not only enjoyed by millions but cherished by the over 3,500 residents that call it home. These initiatives include driving annual revenue growth from $19.7 million in 1988 to over $100 million in 2023, establishing a variety of green initiatives, and the development of youth sports tourism flagship venue, Rocky Top Sports World.

Ogle answered a resounding ‘yes’ when asked if she always wanted to work in local (or state) government, however, her path to Gatlinburg was not direct. After earning a degree in social work from the Uni-

versity of Tennessee, Ogle set out to “play a small role in saving the world,” as she described it. While Ogle said it was difficult finding a job initially, she was able to start her career working for Congressman John Duncan, Sr. whom she was connected to through a college friend.

After working for Duncan for one year, Ogle moved back to the Volunteer State and began working for the University of Tennessee Department of Head Start Training, a position that aligned with her degree. But when a round of layoffs left

Image Sources: City of Gatlinburg

After the 2016 wildfires claimed 14 victims and caused an estimated $2 billion, Ogle along with a group of businesses and civic leaders declared to “...stay focused on the city”

her out of this position, Ogle pursued a Master of Public Administration from the University of Tennessee. It was there that a professor encouraged her to apply for an open position with the city. Ogle began her career with Gatlinburg in 1978 when she was hired as a grants coordinator, a move that set the ultimate path of her career. “I was going to get a little bit of experience under my belt and move on,” Ogle said. “That was 45 years ago.”

Rather than move on, she moved up. When the assistant city manager was promoted to city manager, Ogle took over as assistant city manager, where she’d serve the next decade before becoming city manager herself.

Ogle credits her time as assistant city manager as “on the job” training for her future role, allowing her to not only learn about the nuances of her community but also build relationships that would support her work in the years to come.

Mountain Tough During the Toughest Times

The 2016 wildfires claimed 14 victims and caused an estimated $2 billion in property damage. Ogle and her husband, Bud, lost their home in the fire. A tragedy that would have derailed many, seemed to only strengthen the determination of Ogle and others. Ogle, along with a group of business and civic leaders, worked tirelessly to ensure that the community rose above its circumstances. The city of Gatlinburg, and Sevier County, was only closed for 10-12 days before reopening. Though 2,500 structures burned to the ground during the fire, the city was rebuilt.

“We all made a commitment to each other to stay focused on the city,” Ogle said.

While Ogle humbly attributes the city’s re-emergence to the work of “many, many

people,” the example that she set played an important role in overcoming the crisis.

How to Make a Tourism Mecca Even Better.

Gatlinburg’s economy is built, in part, on tourism – being a go-to destination for those who enjoy mountain vacationing. And even with the area being the launching point for epic hiking, freshwater fishing, whitewater rafting adventures, and a variety of fun activities for over 12 million

annual visitors, city leaders looked for new ways to attract people. In 2012, Ogle and others found it in the emerging youth sports tourism movement. “We’ve never been afraid to think outside of the box when it comes to economic development projects because we have to,” said Ogle.

Gatlinburg is surrounded on three sides by Great Smoky Mountain National Park. According to Ogle, this natural boundary often prevents them from expanding outward and seeking new developments. It also causes them to look at their current

resources and property for development opportunities.

Conversations between local government leaders at the city and county level led to the idea of developing a sports complex on land adjacent to a local high school. It also led to an important assessment of their resources. “We could put together the physical aspects of the project, but the operations of it, the marketing of it, was out of our skill set,” said Ogle.

Considering what Ogle and other leaders

Rocky Top Sports World drove $76.3 million in economic impact in 2023 and has driven over $50 million each of the last two years

Image Source: Rocky Top Sports World

Image Source: City of Gatlinburg

felt was needed for the sports complex project to succeed, they engaged with The Sports Facilities Companies (SFC), a firm that partners with municipalities to plan, develop, and operate sports and recreation complexes, to assess the project’s feasibility. The city also worked with SFC to adjust the original plan in a way that best supported their desired outcomes. Gatlinburg later decided to engage SFC to operate the complex, which they’ve done since 2014.

Rocky Top Sports World is an 80-acre sports campus with seven outdoor fields and an 86,000-square-foot indoor facility with six basketball courts. The sports complex drove $76.3 million in economic impact in 2023 and has driven over $50 million of economic impact each of the last two years. The complex has become the benchmark for a wave of youth sports tourism complexes that have come along after it. “Every weekend – except maybe one or two – the place is packed,” Ogle said.

While Ogle and other leaders sought an outside partner to strike it big with Rocky Top Sports World, it tapped its business community and others when it came to bringing Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, another key tourism asset, to Gatlinburg’s downtown. “We pulled out all the stops with getting the aquarium to come here. We bought the property and have a lease arrangement between the city and Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies for the footprint upon which they built the aquarium,” said Ogle.

The aquarium was an $18 million investment for the city of Gatlinburg, which was combined with a $48 million investment by Ripley’s Entertainment. Now in its 24th year of operation, the venue draws over one million visitors to the downtown area annually.

Gatlinburg’s economy is built, in part, on tourism – being a go-to destination for those who enjoy mountain vacationing.

Image Source: City of Gatlinburg

“Every weekend – except maybe one or two –[Rocky Top Sports World] is packed,” Ogle said.

Image Source: AdobeStock

Image Sources: Rocky Top Sports World

A Mountain of Progress

The successes of Rocky Top Sports World and Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies are key drivers of the incredible revenue growth that Gatlinburg has experienced during Ogle’s tenure. When asked about the keys to Gatlinburg’s growth, Ogle quickly points out, “If you’re managing a town that has one industry and you know what that industry is, you can be laser-focused on the things that you need to do for the people and growth of the community.”

Beyond her laser focus, Ogle has been an ardent driver of efficient government operations. She’s implemented environmentally friendly initiatives to help make Gatlinburg greener and streamline operating costs. During her tenure, Sevier Solid

Waste was developed in a cooperative effort between Sevier County, Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, and Gatlinburg. The facility converts 60 percent of trash and recyclables to composted soil that residents can use. Trash and recyclable materials are processed together in a procedure that not only produces a useful product for residents but saves the time and money of processing them separately.

How a Legacy Is Made

When looking at Ogle’s tenure as city manager on paper, several initiatives and accomplishments stand out. From Rocky Top Sports World and the Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies to the development of a convention center, Ogle has played a vital role in building the Gatlinburg that residents and visitors enjoy today. But

when you talk to Ogle, you’re immediately struck by her unwavering faith and unflinching commitment to her community. For all the successes over nearly 50 years of service, there were also many challenges. However, Ogle stayed the course and has made an impact on the city that can be seen when people walk its streets.

“I think that God intended for me to stay in Gatlinburg and to ultimately do what I have been blessed to do all these years,” Ogle said.

LEADERSHIP PERSPECTIVES

ADVICE FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY

What advice would you give young people starting out in municipal leadership?

My advice would be to learn as much as you can about that particular government entity before starting your journey. Listen to those whose opinions you trust regarding what lies ahead for you. Make yourself available to anyone who wants to know more about who you are and what your vision or goals might be. Most importantly, be yourself. Make it about your community and not about your next vote.

What advice would you give city leaders considering major sports or recreation projects?

Plan, unite, plan, unite, and do what works for you. I don’t think in the beginning we had a clue of what we could afford or what we couldn’t afford. I cannot stress enough the importance of getting buy-in and unity within the administration and within the community. If you can’t get buy-in from everybody, it’s a tough, tough go. You have to put egos on the side and do what’s best for the community.

Tom Hayden Council Member Cape Coral, Florida (pop. 216,992)

Tracy Honea Mayor Albertville, Alabama (pop. 22,726)

What is your city’s approach to talent acquisition, development, and retention?

A big part for us is the family mentality... It’s not about the dollar, although we do pay well. We do a pay study every two years to ensure that our team is being paid appropriately across the board. We have the gold standard of pension plans, too. We have an old-style pension plan that vests really well. This gives people the opportunity to have a great retirement.

What advice would you give city leaders considering major sports or recreation projects?

My first thing would be to make sure that your funding fits what you’re going to do. You don’t want to get into the middle of a project, and realize that you’re going to have to cut back. Have a realistic approach to what you’re going to be able to build. Then set that same realistic message to your community so that you haven’t overpromised and under delivered.

A master plan was the key to us getting buyin. So I think the first thing you do is to create a master plan with a survey and study to see what your community wants.

Mark Sheldon Mayor Panama City Beach, Florida (pop. 19,056)

Lynn Spruill Mayor Starkville, Mississippi (pop. 24,168)

ART

Image Source: Jarrod England/Hummingbird Ideas

By Suzanne Wentley

ARTMEETS ECONOMY

SMART CITIES START WITH ART TO CREATE SENSE-OF-PLACE & INCUBATE LOCAL CULTURE

You probably know the telltale signs of a ‘cool’ part of town: street art, fun cafes, live music, cute shops, and a bustling vibe. Tourists and locals alike love vibrant, artistic, and culturally rich cities. And, statistics show that it pays to be one.

According to a 2017 report, Americans for the Arts found that the nonprofit arts and culture industry generated $166.3 billion in economic activity and that attendees of arts events spent almost $32 per person beyond admission on things like meals, parking, and lodging.

But how can local governments support the development of those places if they don’t organically exist? Can these attractive areas be created with authenticity?

Take a place like Wynwood in downtown Miami-Dade, Florida. About a century ago, what eventually became the area between Interstate 95, the railway lines, and 20th Street was a bustling garment district. However, by the mid-1970s, it succumbed to economic shifts that caused most of the businesses to vacate their warehouses.

With rents low, due in part to high unemployment and nearby crime in the late 1990s, artists and collectors started moving in. Those artists started creating murals on the sides of their buildings — and that started to attract attention.

Today, Wynwood is one of the American Planning Association’s “Great Places in America.” There are more than 70 galleries, museums, and art collections in the area, not to mention plenty of places to grab lunch or a drink. And you’ll need the refreshments as you enjoy Wynwood Walls, a recent addition encouraging even more pedestrian traffic throughout the neighborhood.

While the private investment made an initial difference in the transformation of Wynwood, it also took the creativity of government planners and elected officials. Miami isn’t the only city to update its codes and create zoning incentives, beautification initiatives, and marketing plans to support redevelopment centered around arts and culture.

Austin, Texas, and smaller communities like Manitou Springs, Colorado, and Pensacola, Florida, showcase their creative communities and offer visitors a unique experience. When officials bring arts, music, and culture to the forefront, they often uncover new economic opportunities that make their towns much more vibrant.

Making a Community Investment in the Arts

“I could see the power of art to bring the community together and support economic development,” said Natalie Johnson, a member of the Manitou Springs city council and the executive director of the Manitou Arts Center. “It’s not an accident ... and you can’t do it alone.”

Johnson, whose city of around 5,000 residents sees hundreds of thousands of tourists annually, said city officials must think beyond organizing a weekend art fair to successfully incubate and develop arts and cultural opportunities.

She recommends city leaders cultivate the artistic community from its roots. That’s what Manitou Springs started to do back in the 1970s when officials recognized the need to do something to attract people to their quaint, yet struggling, downtown. They looked for their strength — a strategy that cities can implement today.

Next, they looked for funding. They applied — unsuccessfully at first — and

eventually became a certified creative district with the state of Colorado. That opened them to new grant opportunities through the state.

Grassroots organizers then joined forces with the town council and the voters, who passed a sales tax to fund arts, cultural, and heritage projects. Since mid-2020, 0.03 percent of all purchases support local arts, culture, and heritage-focused nonprofits and programs. The initiative is expected to bring in around $500,000

Image Sources: Jarrod England/Hummingbird Ideas

every year, two-thirds earmarked for improvements to larger facilities and a third for small grants for individual projects.

“We were able to have a beautiful, creative, interesting campaign because our artists really stepped up,” she added. “If a community wants to support the arts, they have to figure out a dedicated funding stream that isn’t impacted by emergency situations.”

This can also be seen in Memphis, Tennessee, where public art exhibits have been funded using tax-increment financing funds, which are made available through the creation of community redevelopment areas. Other cities, like Houston,

Texas and San Diego, California, make art funding part of their hotel/motel taxes.

Look Beyond Arts Fairs

Manitou Springs has its share of arts festivals, but then, so do hundreds of cities all over the United States. What sets it apart is an arts and cultural infrastructure that supports working artists and a public embrace of new — and sometimes quirky — ideas.

The Manitou Arts Center, run by a nonprofit from the vision of a city planner, is a workshop space that offers courses and

equipment for an expansive array of visual artists. Johnson said 1,500 members use the space and share equipment for everything from blacksmithing and dye labs to jewelry and paper making. Working together makes the sum bigger than the individual parts, she explained.

Collaboration has been the key to the creative process for city officials and planners in Pensacola, Florida as well. They realized they needed solutions for the shoulder seasons and during rainy days to keep attracting tourists who usually came for the beautiful beaches.

David Bear, one of the founders of Pensacola’s Art Cultural Entertainment, or ACE, said it helped to have a diverse, organized group to advocate for bigger pots of funding. The nonprofit is funded by grants from Escambia County as part of a unified budget with Pensacola Sports

“We had a robust arts community and that was the foundation of Manitou Springs’ economic development”

and Visit Pensacola, as well as corporate, foundation, and personal donations.

ACE then distributes grant dollars for arts, culture, and entertainment-focused nonprofits in Pensacola.

Their Foo Foo Festival, which also raises money for various tourism projects, is a 12-day collaborative effort featuring performances from artists and arts organizations throughout downtown Pensacola. Bear explained the Foo Foo Festival evolved to include a wide variety of events from the Blue Angels Homecoming Airshow to the Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival to the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival, as well as opera and symphony performances. By working together, all the different groups can maximize marketing dollars for a bigger campaign.

From Neighborhood Bungalows To Booming Nightlife

Of course, it’s not only the visual arts that add that certain je ne sais quoi to an area. Music is also a compelling cultural and economic driver. At the turn of the century, Rainey Street in Austin, Texas was primarily a residential area characterized by quaint bungalows. However, in the early 2010s, the neighborhood began to undergo significant transformation with the conversion of many of these historic

homes into trendy bars, restaurants, and live music venues. The unique atmosphere, with its blend of historic architecture and modern entertainment options, quickly caught the attention of locals and visitors alike.

The rise in popularity of Rainey Street in Austin, Texas, has been notably fueled by the creation of a central business district. Austin’s central business district (CBD) was more of an evolution than the product of a specific effort. Throughout the 20th century, urbanization and economic growth led to the development of commercial and financial institutions in the downtown area, gradually solidifying its status as the city’s central business hub.

Urban renewal projects in the mid-20th century, such as the construction of Interstate 35 and the development of the Warehouse District, further shaped the CBD’s landscape. In more recent years, initiatives focused on urban revitalization, mixed-use development, and infrastructure improvements have continued to enhance the downtown area’s appeal for businesses, residents, and visitors.

As for Rainey Street, the construction of Interstate 35 isolated the area from Downtown Austin. However, this didn’t deter developers who saw Rainey Steet’s potential (its downtown proximity remained a selling point), nor did it dampen the spirit of residents who pushed for its historic preservation. While a National Register of Historic Places designation was placed on the area in 1985, the Rainey Street we see today didn’t take shape until 2004 when the city started implementing zoning laws allowing for businesses to be opened in the area. Also critical to Rainey Street’s look, feel, and impact was a decision by one of the neighborhood’s pioneering bar owners, Bridget Dunlap to convert homes into local water holes, as opposed to building new structures. The decision further helped the area maintain its look and feel and led other entrepreneurs to follow suit.

Over the last twenty years, Rainey Street has continued to grow in prominence,

Image Source: Ashley Whittaker

solidifying its reputation as a must-visit destination in Austin’s dynamic cultural landscape. With roots deeply embedded in Austin’s rich musical heritage, the street boasts an array of live music venues that draw music enthusiasts from across the country. The seamless integration of live music into the vibrant atmosphere of the street adds an extra layer of excitement and authenticity, captivating visitors and immersing them in one of the city’s most unique experiences. Overall, the synergy between a business district and live music venues creates a dynamic ecosystem that fosters creativity, cultural exchange, and economic growth, furthering Austin’s reputation as a renowned music destination.

When Art Meets Economy

From creative partnerships with nonprofits to the creation of specialized districts, there are a myriad of tools available for cities looking to cultivate local arts and music culture. The magic is in the investment in creativity, in whatever form it takes.

Said Bear, “Cultural tourists spend more per visit and stay longer than other tourists we’re attracting.”

“This investment impacts the overall community in terms of tourism, quality of life, education enhancement, and workforce development.”

Your Turn Key Solution For a game-changing sports and recreation destination.

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PARKS

AS CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE

By Michael LoRé

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization officially declared the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak a global pandemic.

The NBA halted play “until further notice” beginning the following day as other professional sports leagues followed suit out of an abundance of caution. Employers instructed employees to work from home as Zoom became the new conference room. Schools shut their doors and lessons and went virtual. Restaurants and bars closed and prioritized delivery and pick-up services. Gyms and retail took their customer experiences online.

Stay-at-home mandates to try to limit the spread of COVID-19 meant more time at home. The only respite from the seemingly endless hours and days indoors, especially for those in metropolitan areas, was public parks and green spaces.

“COVID-19 showed us all that our parks were the place where people felt safe, where they could go outside, where they could safely interact and see people, and where families could be together,” said Sue Donoghue, New York City Department of Parks and Recreation commissioner. “They’ve always served that role. In a city where not everyone can escape or has a country house, they’re people’s backyards.”

Local and public park agencies in the U.S. generated more than $201 billion in economic activity in 2021

“They (parks) are the center for so many people for community events and socializing and COVID-19 only amplified that and showed people just how critical they are.”

Parks became the go-to city centers and town halls. Not only were they safe, outdoor spaces to socially distance during a time of so much

uncertainty, they became critical points for resources and support during the fight against COVID-19, serving as shelters for those experiencing homelessness, vaccination sites, and mask and sanitizer distribution centers.

Hardly sitting idly by, parks and recreation organizations and agencies like the Chicago Park District, for example, stepped up during the emergency situation to produce 600 gallons of alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

“When everything was shut down, parks and recreation agencies stepped up and did it all,” said National Recreation and Park Association Board of Directors

Chair Jesús Aguirre. “... In my experience, specifically in Seattle, we were pulled into the city’s emergency command centers to try to figure out how we were going to respond to this emergency. We were brought into those conversations during that emergency, but things reverted back.”

Image Source: AdobeStock

THE IMPACT OF PARKS

SOURCES:

31,215 residents per recreation center

2,287 residents per park

3,759 residents per playground

$2.94 of direct medical benefit for every dollar ($) invested in park trails.

2,287 residents per aquatic center

20%

Home values increase by 20% on average for homes facing or adjacent to a park

• 2023 NRPA Agency Report

• Environment and Crime in the Inner City: Does Vegetation Reduce Crime? Frances E. Kuo and William C. Sullivan

• New York Restoration Project

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

• Engemann, K., et al., PNAS, Vol. 116, No. 11, 2019

52%

In Chicago, 52 percent fewer crimes reported by buildings surrounded by trees and other vegetation

213 average fewer felonies per year in New York neighborhoods that had a larger investment in public green space.

Parks and Recreation: Undervalued and Underfunded

While the COVID-19 pandemic reinforced the importance of parks and recreation, government officials and policymakers quickly had a change of heart, particularly as municipalities lost tax revenue as a result of the pandemic. Less than six weeks into the shutdown, nearly half of all U.S. parks and recreation agencies received requests to make cuts to their current fiscal year budget, while 31 percent were already making cuts to their 2020-21 budget, according to a survey by the NRPA.

Even as the United States and world continued to climb out of the pandemic, which was officially ended as a global health emergency by the WHO in early May 2023, the fight for funding for parks and recreation go on.

Boasting 1,942 parks home to more than 1,000 playgrounds, 800 athletic fields, 550 tennis courts, 60 public pools, and 30 recreation centers, NYC Parks is set to lose nearly $90 million in funding over the next two years, despite the fact that the city’s park spending is currently at approximately half a billion dollars or less than half of 1 percent of the city’s budget.

“When we think about advocating for funding and for public spaces, it’s really that expansive narrative and having people think broadly about how vital our parks are, what it means to have a vital and thriving park system, and how we can continue to support it,” Donoghue said.

Aguirre, with more than 20 years of public service leadership experience in metropolitan jurisdictions including Los Angeles, NYC, Washington, D.C., and Seattle, agrees.

“On some level, we have to get better at telling the story, both anecdotally and with data,” he said. “How do we convince a politician that the work we do in parks and recreation help outcomes in their community?”

How Data Is Building a Case for Park Funding

The proof is in the data. Studies have also shown the correlation between parks and crime. Studying public housing developments in Chicago, researchers found 52 percent fewer crimes reported by buildings surrounded by trees and other vegetation.

Neighborhoods in New York City with a larger investment in public green space saw an average of 213 fewer felonies per year.

Local and public park agencies in the U.S. also generated more than $201 billion in economic activity in 2021, according to the NRPA, while supporting almost 1.1 million jobs.

Regarding tax revenue generation, home values increase by 20 percent on average for homes facing or adjacent to a park, according to the study The Impact of Parks on Property Values: A Review of the Empirical Evidence.

Further, parks and recreation systems have been an instrumental part of serving less fortunate citizens in communities throughout the United States. According

Image Sources: AdobeStock

to the NRPA, parks and recreation systems in the U.S. feed more than 560 million meals to children annually through after-school and summer programs, making them the second largest feeder of children nationally behind public schools.

On top of providing opportunities for physical activity, exposure to nature via green (grass) and blue (water) spaces has been linked to mental health benefits including improved attention, lower stress, better mood, and reduced risk of psychiatric disorders. This is reflected in a study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that shows that for every dollar invested in park trails, $2.94 is received in direct medical benefit.

The trees and bushes that comprise public parks and green spaces and their vast root systems provide much-needed stormwater retention — while also helping pump more oxygen into the air — not only benefiting community residents but, more importantly, the environment.

According to the NRPA, parks and recreation systems in the U.S. feed more than 560 million meals to children annually through after-school and summer programs, making them the second largest feeder of children nationally.

Parks as a Critical Part of Our Society

“If you don’t have the funding to keep the park maintained and well staffed, it exacerbates the problem of crime,” said Michael Shull, retired City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks general manager who oversaw the addition of 74 parks during his tenure. “A park that’s not well funded could actually turn into a place where bad things are being planned

or happening.”

“It irritates me to no end that in tough budget years, the first thing to be cut is parks. I went through some really tough years. We managed through it, but it wasn’t easy.”

While the fight for support and funding for public parks and recreation is a constant battle despite being a popular bipartisan interest, their benefits—backed by studies and data—are well known. It’s just a matter of prioritization and where governors, mayors, and other policymakers rank parks and rec among critical infrastructure along with police and fire, roads and transportation, hospitals, and schools.

Parks and recreation continue to serve as integral parts of a community, being able to be something for everyone regardless of socioeconomic status, religion or political affiliation, whether it’s as a calming respite from the 24-7 news cycle, a place to celebrate a birthday, a nearby walking or running path, a “battlefield” for a live-action

Image Source: iStock

role playing game, or a way to honor and give back to Mother Nature.

“Parks are where we all go to celebrate, to grieve, to protest, for respite, and to improve our mental and physical wellbeing,” Aguirre said. “They’re such a core of who we are as humans and that’s an important thing to recognize as we think about the role they play in community infrastructure.”

ENVISIONING A MOVEMENT TOWARD

By Suzanne Wentley

If you’ve ever wished you could ditch the car and just stroll down to your favorite cafe, park, or bookstore, you’re not alone. Busy highways cut through the middle of many downtowns, and gaps in sidewalks make walking more scary than neighborly.

But if you visit a European city, you’ll likely notice residents walking to buy a loaf of bread for dinner or meeting friends for coffee which begs the question, is it possible to reduce the dependence on cars in your town?

Ray Delahanty, whose “CityNerd” YouTube channel focuses on urban planning best practices, said safe and attractive walkways and bicycle paths are not only possible but preferable. Improving walkability can transform a town into a memorable destination where people want to live and visit, he said.

“We need to have a variety of urban and suburban contexts for people to live so they have choices,” he said. “The choice isn’t there for most people who want to live in walkable environments. The demand is so high, and there aren’t enough places to satisfy the demand.”

This raises another interesting question: If there’s such a high demand for walkable cities, why are so few American cities considered walkable?

How Cars Killed Walkability

There was a time in American history when cities were mostly walkable out of necessity. Cars were considered luxury items when first produced and unaffordable for the average citizen. Most businesses were within walking distance because people didn’t have the means to travel further.

This began to change in the 1920s. Led by Henry Ford’s advances in conveyor beltbased vehicle assembly, car production skyrocketed. In 1900, around 5,000 motor vehicles were produced in the United States. By the time 1927 rolled around, over 17 million registered motor vehicles existed in the U.S. That number climbed to 23 million registered vehicles over the course of that year. This led to sharp decreases in vehicle costs. For example, Ford’s famed Model T dropped in price from $850 to $290 during this time.

With more cars in the hands of more people, more miles could be covered and people could live further away from the city center. Several other factors converged, primarily during the 1950s, leading Amer-

icans to adopt suburban living en masse. Cultural phenomena including “white flight” and the “pursuit of the American dream” became prevalent as cities and their school systems became increasingly desegregated, leading many Americans to pursue less diverse areas away from the urban core as they were perceived to be safer. Through advertisements promoting spacious suburban homes on large plots of land as an aspirational standard, consumer preferences began to shift towards this ideal. According to the book The American Yawp (Stanford University Press), the suburban portion of the U.S. population rose from 19.5 percent in 1940 to 30.7 percent in 1960.

Adding to the impact of social and con-

sumer preferences, many cities influenced car-centric infrastructure through laws that required a specific number of parking spaces per building and zoning regulations that both mandated the development of single-family homes with large lots and separated residential areas from commercial and industrial areas. There was also a decline in investment in public transportation. While these are all vehicles for driving cities away from walkability, perhaps the largest influence came with the Federal Highway Act of 1956. The law provided funding for the interstate highway system, encouraging even greater car mobility and giving people the option to live in newly developed suburbs while maintaining employment in city centers.

Are We Trending Towards a Walkable Future?

While America’s past and present are as filled with automobiles as most interstates after 5:00 p.m., there are several indications that its future could be quite differ-

ent. World events and shifts in consumer preferences have sparked several trends that revolutionize the way civic leaders approach city planning and, in time, may increase access to walkable neighborhoods. These trends include:

Mixed-Use Development: In many ways, mixed-use developments are the next generation of traditional neighborhoods where modern apartments are built above retail shops and restaurants and are near corporate offices or co-working spaces. These areas may include a central greenspace as well. While many mixed-use development areas are anchored by large entertainment areas (for example, KC Live anchors the Power & Light District in Kansas City, Missouri), others are anchored by larger retail areas. An emerging trend within this trend is mixed-use developments anchored by sports facilities. In Overland Park, Kansas, AdventHealth Sports Park at Bluhawk is under construction, but once completed, it will serve as a recreation amenity for residents and a

tourism driver for the already successful Bluhawk development.

Focus on Health: Numerous studies tout the benefits of walk ing, many of which align with the ben efits of living in walkable environments, including reducing the risk of obesity, heart disease, and anxiety brought on by isolation. As cities discover ways to attract new residents and satisfy current ones, a focus on planning environments that pro vide health benefits has become a priority. And it’s not just large communities mak ing this shift.

In Greenwood, South Carolina, a town of 22,000 residents, a master plan was established in 2021 to change the look and feel of its uptown area. Changes in cluded tightening a four-lane road to two lanes and removing architectural arcades to make room for more greenspace and walkable areas. In recent years, the town has also added mini-parks to its streetscape, making the city more noticeably “green” and walkable.

Planning as a Community Process: Engaging residents and business leaders in city planning is becoming an increasing part of how cities enhance the quality of life for everyone, which has led some

brainstorming sessions. One of the overarching ideas coming from these sessions was the desire for more community gathering spaces. In response, Marion converted an old alleyway in their uptown area to Uptown Artway. This is an art-focused area with a stage and a row of sculptures. The area has been further enhanced by walking plazas along their main thoroughfare (Seventh Avenue), which has drawn numerous restaurants to the area.

The examples below embody these trends. Through a focus on spaces that reflect the desire of residents, possess multiple uses, and provide healthy outlets, civic leaders in these communities are driving the development of areas that are vibrant, sustainable, and fun.

Residents “Want To Be Outdoors”

Councilor Jeanette Shaw of Tigard, Oregon (a suburb of Portland) said that she and the previous elected

officials who have served the community made walkability a priority simply because their residents considered it one.

“Our community wants to be outdoors,” she said. “Our goal is to have a vision where we are walkable, healthy, and accessible, where people can do their errands, engage with others, and enjoy the community.”

Today, everyone in Tigard lives within a 10-minute walk of a park or a trail, and planners are looking for ways to enhance connectivity to other areas of town.

Delahanty, who worked as a transportation planner before starting his YouTube channel, applauded Tigard for a long-term vision created with input from residents. As a result, officials were able to make some big wins in the name of walking.

For example, city officials voted to successfully request the state’s Department of Transportation (DOT) to lower speed limits in residential areas from 25 to 20 mph. They also transferred ownership of the main highway that cuts through town from DOT to the city; as a result, there will soon be wider sidewalks, bicycle lanes, and public spaces to make it more pedestrian-friendly.

“It’s difficult to get the public excited about something that will happen in 20 years,” Delahanty said. “But it starts with having public conversations about it.”

Start With Projects That Are Quick Wins

Councilor Shaw said Tigard’s biggest cheerleaders for walkability are its children. As part of their “Safe Routes to School” initiative, the city held a “Walk or Roll to School Day.” Almost two-

Image Source: Visit Duluth

thirds of the students participated. They also got a relatively easy win by adding public artwork to area trails and holding a bike rodeo during a recent Hispanic heritage festival.

“Start with a feel-good, short-term, winnable goal to get community engagement,” she said. “Kids, when they’re walking or riding bikes, there’s nothing cuter. They are the voice of the council about why it’s important to have safe routes.”

Tigard officials have also connected trails leading to the recently renovated downtown Universal Plaza, an area designed to serve as a public meeting space. “Community connections come only once people get out of their cars,” said Delahanty.

Working Regionally Gets Results

Along with holding charettes and surveys with town residents, elected officials also

“Duluth is being very deliberate with creating a transportation system that connects all users in a way that promotes safety, health, and quality of life.”

need to collaborate with other municipalities if they want to see changes to their long-range transportation plans. Every town and city has a place at the table of the local metropolitan planning agency.

You’ll need to find consensus not just on walking and bicycling plans, but also find funding for enhanced public transit systems, sidewalk amenities, and bike facilities.

Image Source: Kent Wyatt

Roz Randorf, the city council president for Duluth, Minnesota, said grant dollars have made their city’s dream of enhanced walkability a reality.

Last year, they received $25 million through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s RAISE grant to revitalize two miles of Superior Street, a road that runs through the Lincoln Park neighborhood. Part of that money will go to work for improvements in line with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

“Councilors should pay attention to how their city is planning on replacing aging infrastructure,” she recommended. “Take advantage of grant opportunities, such as the federal RAISE grant, that can help your community invest in ADA-accessible sidewalks.”

As West Superior Street becomes more attractive with trees, lighting, and other amenities, officials are encouraging relatively high-density, mixed-use development nearby. Policy shifts include strategic building codes, more bike lanes, and fewer required parking spaces.

“Duluth is being very deliberate with creating a transportation system that connects all users in a way that promotes safety, health, and quality of life,” she added. “As a society, we need to be -

come more active. One of the ways to do that is by promoting walking.”

The Challenges of Walkability

Still, there can be unintended consequences when elected officials focus on walkability, Delahanty advised.

“With the political will, it depends on the city,” he said. “Everyone doesn’t think the same way.”

Members of younger generations tend to prefer walkable places, so long-term demographic projections can help guide officials toward an appropriate master plan. If they are interested in increasing density — and adding mixed-use zoning for more walking opportunities — they’ll also want to consider public transportation access in those same areas.

Such improvements may add to maintenance costs as their towns grow and

thrive, so officials may want to explore funding options, such as tax increment funding or state transportation grants. The idea is to think well into the future and find solutions to common situations like gentrification and displacement before a crisis arises.

In the end, coordinating regional transportation plans with land use zoning and codes will be worth the effort, said Delahanty.

“It can make a difference in the quality of life, health, and possibly your finances.”

FROM VACANT TO VIBRANT:

HOW LAKELAND, FLORIDA’S POLICIES AND VISION CREATED TODAY’S VIBRANCY

By Suzanne Wentley

For people strolling the vibrant sidewalks of downtown Lakeland, Florida today, it’s hard to see the evolution that has taken place over the last 20 years.

“Lakeland was absolutely dead with lots of vacancies,” said Mayor Bill Mutz, about the scene he witnessed when moving to the area in 1996.

There was no place to grab dinner on a Sunday afternoon and few options to pick up a last-minute present or take care of any business. There were some warehouses and industrial centers, as well as well-respected colleges. But otherwise, it

was just on a “steady, mid-size town trajectory, which is normal and acceptable,” said Mayor Mutz.

About 15 years ago, all of that started to change. Today, Lakeland is the heart of the fastest-growing county in Florida, Polk County, and the fifth fastest-growing area in the United States. What was once a sleepy bedroom community between Tampa and Orlando is now a vibrant destination all its own.

Throughout and around downtown, there are coffee shops, restaurants, breweries, specialty shops, and residential developments that make it a place where

people want to live, work, and play. It’s a magnet for young professionals, entrepreneurs, and companies — including Publix Supermarkets, which recently decided to add 2,000 more jobs to its local corporate headquarters.

In fact, the city’s turnaround was so dramatic that they expect nearly double the population, from around 260,000 in 2024 to a half-million people, by 2035, according to Mayor Mutz.

The community and elected officials are ready for the growth, thanks to years of envisioning, planning, and investing to create the kind of redevelopment that is

Image Source: Lakeland Economic Development Council

supported by and benefits the residents.

“We want to be a city that honors everyone. It means you make much more human-centric decisions as a city,” Mayor Mutz said.

Post-Recession Inspiration

Brian Rewis, the director of Community and Economic Development for the City of Lakeland, said the work began at the end of the Great Recession, which impacted downtowns throughout the nation. Back then, he oversaw the city’s housing and code enforcement. He dealt with a lot of abandonment and foreclosures.

That’s when the elected officials started working with the Lakeland Economic Development Council, a private-sector funded nonprofit dedicated to recruiting new businesses and supporting the existing industries.

Those business owners invited the elected officials to visit cities throughout the nation that were doing a great job of growing their tax base with high-wage, high-skill jobs in a responsible, attractive way. By touring Nashville, San Diego, and other successful communities, their mindsets started to shift.

“It’s really been an evolution of attitudes and expectations,” Rewis said. “Our city’s vision is a vibrant, culturally inclusive, world-class community. That vibrancy in the urban core became central to that vision, particularly where under-utilized, very valuable downtown land was concerned.”

Incentives, Funding for Targeted Job Creators

As part of the early transformation, Lakeland’s EDC opened Catapult in 2014. The Catapult project was designed to attract entrepreneurs to launch their businesses in Lakeland. Within three months, 100 people were incubating companies.

By 2019, the growth of Lakeland really took off. Developers, attracted in part by private-public partnerships, incentives,

and funding packages, built multi-family residential communities near downtown. New lights and traffic patterns were installed throughout the city, and empty storefronts were replaced with hip spots that made downtown a fun place to hang out.

Rewis credits the city’s use of tax incre-

Image Source: Visit Central Florida

Image Source: Visit Central Florida

Image Source: Lakeland Economic Development Council

ment funding, which allowed for redevelopment incentives in the numerous community redevelopment areas throughout Lakeland. Revenue from new projects go back into the same geographic area, such as downtown and midtown, creating opportunities for facade improvements, adaptive reuse projects, and public art murals.

At the same time, Mayor Mutz said work began to ensure adequate housing and infrastructure were available to the new residents they were looking to attract. For example, they used a federal block grant program called State Housing Initiative Partnership to encourage developers to build more affordable housing. City officials also recently allocated $1.4 million from the American Rescue Plan Act as incentives for developers focused on affordable housing.

One big success they’ve had is enhancing

“Private sector partnerships aren’t just important, they are vital to community success,” according to Brian Rewis

the parks throughout the city and creating connecting pedestrian and bike trails.

“We win hugely in parks. We are a park leader across the state,” Mayor Mutz said. “You want your downtown to be fun without it being disruptive and disorderly. We want places for people to play responsibly.”

Today, a farmer’s market takes place weekly, and a “First Friday” artisan market event brings even more people downtown. Residents and visitors alike head to Lakeland for art events at the RP Funding Center, Lakeland Community Theatre, and the Lakeland Symphony Orchestra, as well as two venues downtown. There’s a food truck rally and even a new food hall called The Joinery.

“People-Centric” Focus on Solving Current Concerns

Of course, challenges remain — but the elected officials are working to address concerns that impact their community head-on. For example, they invested in police force training and were early adopters of body cameras to ensure fairness for everyone.

They also focused early on affordable housing, which has quickly become one of the biggest challenges for many cities throughout the nation, especially in Florida. Elected officials worked closely with the nonprofit community, which helps homeless people get their needs met. They also partnered with private developers, who were passing over the town for other municipalities with incentive packages.

“Having homes is a baseline for honoring people,” the mayor said. “When we changed for the right incentives, we weren’t passed over (anymore). We have 1,200 apartments that aren’t even started yet, plus another 5,000 homes.”

Transportation also remains a concern. The Downtown Development Association, which is supported by local business owners, funded a golf cart that serves as a people mover around downtown at night. Lakeland planners are working on enhancing walkability and bike trails, too.

Image Source: Visit Central Florida

Mayor Mutz also said he hopes Brightline, a passenger railway, will decide to put their Polk County station at Florida Polytechnic University, which is a 20-minute drive from Lakeland’s popular 168-acre Bonnet Springs Park.

“Private sector partnerships aren’t just important, they are vital to community success,” Rewis said, adding that the official

policy decisions can only work to encourage and leverage private investment.

In the meantime, some roadways remain clogged — and funding for big investments in infrastructure is something officials continue to seek. But the changes in Lakeland aren’t just economic, the mayor added.

“People centricity is a tough commodity in a world that can be as polarizing as our world can be today,” he said. “This is about investment in human beings 10 years out. You have to put your money and your heart where your mouth is. It’s hard work.”

Image Source: Visit Central Florida

HOBOKEN’S VISION FOR SAFER STREETS

By Andrew Cohen

To some, New Jersey is known for a throaty-singing rock n’ roll icon, a fictional mob family, and the delicious delicacy known as the pork roll. However, in Hoboken, a new legacy is emerging that is having a deep impact on residents and visitors alike.

The past decade has seen many cities across

the U.S. adopt Vision Zero, which originated in Sweden in the 1990s as a pledge to eliminate traffic deaths and severe injuries. The initiative involves nearly 50 cities including automobile-heavy places such as Atlanta and Houston, and smaller communities like Bellevue, Washington. However, Hoboken stands out from its counterparts through a set of ambitious policies that have

made it one of the safest communities in the country for pedestrians and cyclists. The city announced in January that it has now been seven years since the city’s last traffic-related death in 2017. Collisions resulting in minor injuries decreased by 18 percent between 2022 and 2023, while crashes with serious injuries dropped by 62 percent.

Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla announced an executive order in 2019 to designate Hoboken as a Vision Zero city with its goal of eliminating all traffic-related deaths and injuries by 2030. Hoboken’s Vision Zero Action Plan was officially implemented in 2021, so the city had gone three-straight years without a traffic death before they launched their Vision Zero effort.

“We are committed to making Hoboken streets safer for all our residents and visitors and the ambitious Vision Zero initiative to eliminate all traffic deaths and injuries by 2030 is key to making that a reality,” Bhalla said.

A Focused Approach Leads to Vision Zero Success

So how has Hoboken achieved Vision Zero success where others haven’t? The Mile Square city did it their way, or My Way as Hoboken’s favorite native son Frank Sinatra would sing. Among Hoboken’s Vision Zero policies are speed regulations that included lowering the citywide speed limit to 20 miles per hour.

“Every mile per-hour reduction in speed matters. A five mile per hour reduction in speed can be the difference of a couple dozen feet when it comes to reaction time and stopping distance versus 25 miles per hour,” said Ryan Sharp, Hoboken’s director of transportation and parking.

A street planning concept known as “daylighting” has also been instrumental in Hoboken’s improved pedestrian safety. Daylighting is the practice of removing parking spots closest to an intersection to prevent parked cars from blocking the visibility of pedestrians, drivers, and cyclists.

In 2023, Hoboken installed 418 vertical delineators (mostly plastic flexible bars) in

Image Sources: City of Hoboken

the asphalt near intersections and crosswalks. The additions included daylighting at 65 intersections adjacent to a park, school, public housing, and a senior building. Now anytime Hoboken repaves a street, city planners ensure the corners are daylighted.

“The improved sight line that you get when you daylight corners at a crosswalk or intersection allows more reaction time for everyone involved in that conflicting movement,” Sharp said. “We use concrete if we have the funding available, so there are curb extensions or bump outs that physically reduce the crossing distance for pedestrians.”

Daylighting, the installation of vertical delineators, and curb upgrades have all contributed to Hoboken’s success

Multi-way stop signs were added to 14 Hoboken intersections in 2023, plus nine new curb extensions and upgrades to 27 curb ramps to improve ADA accessibility. These safety improvements also come with some cosmetic value for Hoboken, a city on the Hudson River that often deals with flooding.

“If we really have a lot of funding for a project, we will build out the curb line to look like a bump out but instead of filling that in with concrete, we’ll fill it in with a rain garden and we’ll make it vegetated,” said Sharp. “So it will have a lot of stormwater management improvement as well, which is important in Hoboken where it floods a lot from rain.”

Hoboken has also implemented bike lanes on 40 percent of the city’s linear street miles. This year, the city will begin construction on its Sinatra Drive Redesign Project that includes a 12-foot wide, two-

way protected bike lane and 14 high visibility crosswalks added to the waterfront area.

“Humans make mistakes, they’re fallible and therefore crashes are inevitable. So we have to move away from a model where we’re putting all the responsibility on individuals and their behavior,” Sharp says. “We need to instead use a systems approach to try to prevent these bad outcomes from happening before they happen. And it doesn’t mean that we’re okay with crashes happening, we still try to prevent them. But what’s more important now is making sure that if a crash does happen, it has a less severe outcome for anyone who was involved in it.”

Hoboken’s Design - Built for Vision Zero

Situated between the often traffic-packed Lincoln Tunnel and Holland Tunnel, Hoboken’s population of around 60,000 makes it one of the most densely populated cities in their region. However, the pre-industrial design of the city, where European settlers first arrived in the early-1600s, supports Hoboken’s ability to reach zero traffic fatalities, says Sharp.

“Hoboken benefits from having pre-industrial infrastructure where streets are often narrower than they are in Sunbelt cities and places that were designed post-World War II around automobile travel. When you have narrower streets,

typically you have slower speeds,” he says. “Hoboken benefits from having a lot of one way streets, which inherently reduces the number of conflicts at intersections. I think Hoboken is a proving ground that if you design your streets to look like they do in Hoboken, then Vision Zero works.”

The Impact of Vision Zero

“Deliberate actions, such as comprehensive road redesigns and lower speed limits citywide, have propelled our success thus far...”

While communities throughout the country are questioning the effectiveness of their own Vision Zero initiatives, Hoboken’s is flourishing. Their mix of policies and practice have led them to see dramatic gains where other cities haven’t seen increases. But Mayor Bhalla indicates that continued action is needed to keep Hoboken’s citizens safe. “Deliberate actions, such as comprehensive road redesigns and lower speed limits citywide, have propelled our success thus far but we are unwavering in our dedication to aggressively implement Vision Zero in every aspect of our major infrastructure projects, prioritizing the protection of the most vulnerable, including seniors and children.”

“With LS&S, we have been able to significantly increase the level of service to the community, while also reducing annual costs.”

- Mayor of Moreno Valley, CA

SHOULD PARKING GO AWAY IN AMERICAN CITIES?

By Andrew Cohen

With World War II in America’s rearview, cities grew and grew. Two other things grew in tandem- the amount of cars and the need for places to park them in urban settings.

Governments introduced minimum parking requirements in the 1950s as car ownership skyrocketed. However, that’s all changing. Many cities are cutting these parking mandates to combat their affordable housing shortages.

Historically, zoning regulations required developers to build a certain number of parking spaces per the space of their buildings, leading some cities to have

disproportionate numbers of available parking. Des Moines, Iowa for example has been found to have about seven parking spots for each resident while parking spaces in Jackson, Wyoming outnumber homes 27 to 1.

The Case for Eliminating Parking Requirements

Buffalo, New York, became the first major U.S. city in 2017 to eliminate parking minimums, which supporters say helps reduce carbon emissions, improve walkability, and opens space to build homes. Since then, more than 50 U.S. cities have now taken steps to remove parking minimums, including

Minneapolis, Minnesota, Hartford, Connecticut, Santa Monica, California, Anchorage, Alaska, Raleigh, North Carolina, and Gainesville, Florida.

“We eliminated parking minimums to help reduce the cost of building housing, retail, and commercial spaces with the goal of building more walkable communities,” said Raleigh Mayor MaryAnn Baldwin. “These mixed-use centers can share parking. We also hope to see this used more heavily along our Bus Rapid Transit corridors and near our transit center downtown.”

A study of 12 U.S. cities conducted by UCLA Urban Planning Professor

Image Source: City of Raleigh, NC

Donald Shoup found that the average construction cost per parking space is $34,000.

According to Raleigh’s Planning and Development Director Patrick Young, eliminating parking minimums not only provides a cost savings to apartment builders, it allows them to create more units. In talking further about the impact of this move, “Having enough housing to meet demand is the only way to manage or mitigate our housing crisis that we have in all of our major cities.”

Small businesses can also be hurt by archaic parking mandates. A coffee shop in Dallas delayed its opening in 2023 because the owner was required to build 18 parking spots. Dallas requires at least one parking space for every 100 square feet for restaurants, per the city code introduced in 1965.

“Parking mandates are arbitrary, outdated and they lead to restrictions on how our communities can develop,” said Parking

Reform Network President Tony Jordan. “A lot of the cost is really what isn’t there as a result of the parking. Your business district is more spread out, so there’s less

“We are relatively transit rich and parking is so expensive to build, so [parking mandates] were a particular concern for affordable housing. More space for humans to sleep is more important than space for cars to sleep.”

opportunity for someone to go into one store and then another store.”

Drastic Times = Drastic Measures

Some cities such as Branson, Missouri, and Cambridge, Massachusetts have not only eliminated parking minimums but also adopted parking maximums to limit how much parking could be provided in city zoning districts. The pandemic’s acceleration of remote work has also supported the feasibility of reduced parking in cities with less people driving to a traditional office.

“All of our endeavors related to transportation planning have been trying to transition people to sustainable modes of transportation—more biking or walking and less people driving alone,” said Iram Farooq, Cambridge’s assistant city manager for community development. “We are relatively transit rich and parking is so expensive to build, so [parking mandates] were a particular

Image Source: Gernot Wagner

concern for affordable housing. More space for humans to sleep is more important than space for cars to sleep.”

Asphalt traps heat and creates rainwater runoff, so parking construction also comes at a cost of the environment. A 2008 study from nonprofit Transportation Alternatives found that New York drivers created 366,000 excess vehicle miles driven per year and produced 22 tons of CO2 emissions per block just during their time spent “cruising” or searching for a parking spot on a 15-block area of the Upper West Side.

New York City is planning to introduce congestion pricing that would charge drivers a $15 toll to enter midtown Manhattan. Paris voters have approved to triple the parking fee for SUVs and other large cars as major cities around the world target cars in the fight against climate change. The German city of Koblenz is now charging parking fees based on the size of the vehicle.

“Parking minimum [bans], parking fees based on size of vehicle, and so on—it is simply what one might call a shift in norms that seems to be happening as

we speak,” said Gernot Wagner, climate economist at Columbia Business School. “It is one of these socio-economic tipping points.”

The Challenge in Raleigh

In the mid-size Sun Belt city of Raleigh, Mayor Baldwin faces challenges from private real estate financers—lenders, bankers, and REITs—who don’t want to fund projects without the expectation of certain parking space totals. While developers are building commercial and residential units with less parking, the city hopes to one day see new projects open with no parking in areas and strong public transit options.

“I would say one of the big challenges is that financiers still require a certain amount of parking. We are hopeful that this will change as they see for themselves that large amounts of parking do not help build a community. Rather, it has negative impacts,” said Baldwin. “If we want to encourage people to take transit, ride their bikes, and walk, limited parking makes sense and is a better use of space.”

Image Source: City New York

Image Source: AdobeStock

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Image Source: Phil Dixon Jr.

THE REBIRTH & REIMAGINING OF AMERICAN PASSENGER RAIL

By Natalie Hamren

Trains are making a comeback. And not just in a retro, slow down and enjoy the scenery type of way.

In December of 2023, President Biden announced the largest investment in passenger rail since the creation of Amtrak over 50 years ago. The “Investing in America” agenda will provide billions of dollars in funding for rail corridors across the country. These projects—ranging from California’s Central Valley to the metro of Washington, D.C.—will enhance, expand, and modernize American passenger rail. This investment may allow Americans to move

about the country in a way similar to how their parents and grandparents moved. However, it’s worth examining how we drifted away from rail travel in the first place.

The Decline of Passenger Rail

In 1827, history was made in the United States with the founding of the first passenger and freight line, the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. This sparked the rail boom, with more rail networks built in decades to come—shaping the nation and influencing the Industrial Revolution.

Rail not only allowed freight to be transported, but it also gave people a way to travel in their own cities.

has written several books, including When the Railroad Leaves Town a volume chronicling the closing of “rail lines from historic junctions, aging industrial centers, agricultural villages, and familiar tourist destinations throughout the eastern half of the United States”.

“People in our region want opportunities to get around without cars,” says Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bowser

“For more than a half-century, railroads were the centerpiece of intercity travel,” Dr. Joseph Schwieterman, professor in the School of Public Service at DePaul University, says.

Schwieterman is a transportation expert and

After World War II, passenger rail started diminishing as many rail companies decided to exit the market and focus on freight. Competition between air and automobile transport contributed to the decline of passenger rail as well, as consumer preferences shifted to these modes of transportation.

“Automobiles and air travel were a one-two punch from which the industry never fully recovered,” Schwieterman says. “The short hop trips are so much easier by hopping into a car and longer trips became dominated by air travel.”

Eventually, the federal government stepped in to relieve the railroads of their responsibility to provide passenger rail, creating Amtrak in

1970, says Dr. Andrew Goetz, a professor in the Department of Geography and the Environment at the University of Denver.

“The original idea behind Amtrak was that it was going to run like a company with help from the federal government,” Goetz says. “And what it has turned into is, essentially, a federal-run company.” Since its founding over 50 years ago, Goetz says Amtrak has “been consistently under threat,” with route networks being cut from what the original plans were. The Northeast Corridor, running between Boston and Washington, D.C., is what Goetz considers Amtrak’s most successful network.

Here are a couple of projects that are being driven by the Investing in America funding. Both projects add new options for travel, solve lingering traffic issues, and serve to enhance the quality of life for residents.

Building the Future

In 2020, the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) was created to implement the “Transforming Rail in Virginia” initiative. This gave the VRPA more au-

thority and autonomy when completing large infrastructure projects, says Virginia Passenger Rail Authority Communications Manager Karina Romero.

One of VRPA’s current endeavors is the Long Bridge project, part of “Transforming Rail in Virginia.” The project — aiming to reduce congestion and delays on the highly traveled corridors near Washington, D.C. — received $729 million from

the Biden Administration’s “Investing in America Agenda.”

The CSXT-owned Long Bridge, spanning the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., is a century-old, two-track bridge. According to VRPA’s website, the Long Bridge project will increase rail traffic capacity by constructing a new two-track railroad bridge next to the existing Long Bridge.

Romero says the VRPA is keeping the same name as Long Bridge since people are familiar with it. The two new tracks will be dedicated to passenger rail and the Commonwealth of Virginia will own the infrastructure. In addition, the project will construct approximately 1.8 miles

Image Source: North Carolina Department of Transporation Rail

of improvements including “seven rail bridges and pedestrian bridges over land and the Potomac River and related railroad infrastructure between Arlington, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.

A new bike-pedestrian bridge will also be constructed as part of the mitigation to National Park Service land. This bridge will span the Potomac River and George Washington Memorial Parkway, connecting Long Bridge Park to the East and West Potomac Parks, according to the VRPA website.

“People in our region want opportunities to get around without cars. They want to live and work near train stations. They want to get around on bikes, scooters, and buses. And more and better bridges, trains, and bike paths mean more opportunities to do just that,” said Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser in a 2022 press release from the office of Senator Mark Warner.

Connecting Communities

The Raleigh to Richmond (R2R) Innovating Rail Program Phases IA and II will receive up to $1.1 billion from the Biden Administration’s “Investing in America Agenda,” connecting Northeast Virginia to North Carolina.

Jason Orthner, director of the North Carolina Department of Transportation Rail Division, says one of North Carolina’s most successful trains is the Carolinian service. It carries people between Virginia and North Carolina, however it’s a long, circuitous route that isn’t direct and is subject to freight train interference.

Orthner says Virginia has a successful system that operates between Richmond, Virginia and Washington, D.C. and North Carolina has a successful system operating between Raleigh and Charlotte, North Carolina. However,

there is only one train connecting those two systems.

“What the Raleigh to Richmond Project does is, it’s not just building a train between Raleigh to Richmond, it’s connecting two successful passenger rail systems together so that you can have frequent, fast, and reliable passenger rail transportation between those two systems,” Orthner says. “The folks in North Carolina can get to Virginia in the Northeast, and the folks in the northeast of Virginia can get to North Carolina. And that really is what’s at the heart of this project.”

During an event at Raleigh Union Station in December of 2023, Raleigh Mayor Mary-Ann Baldwin said the project would be a “game-changer,” and said in another statement, “We’re going to remove a headache for a lot of people.”

Not only does passenger rail allow

Image Source: North Carolina Department of Transporation Rail

people to use their time more effectively by reducing commutes, but it also connects them to communities they might not otherwise have visited.

“One of the beauties of passenger rail is that stations are located in the center of these communities. You are transporting folks into the center of a business district or center of a community and using rail to connect those centers together,” Orthner says.

Passenger rail makes travel easier for people since they don’t have to worry about a vehicle, parking, and other costs. All they have to do is step on the train, travel to their destination, and step off the train, Orthner notes.

“It’s not for every type of trip,” Orthner says. “But it’s real effective for the folks that love the simplicity and safety of that type of travel, connecting rural centers and urban centers together.”

Image Source: North Carolina Department of Transporation Rail

Image Source: Virginia Passenger Rail

RETIRING TO YOUR CITY

HOW OFFICIALS ARE ATTRACTING OLDER GENERATIONS

By Suzanne Wentley

“The Gray Tsunami”Baby Boomers by 2030:

When most people think about retirement, their thoughts likely wander to places in Florida. There’s a reason for that — and it’s not just because of the warm weather.

When the Rosen brothers developed Cape Coral, Florida back in 1957, they marketed heavily to future retirees, explained City Councilman Tom Hayden.

“The Rosen brothers were really good salesmen, and they did an immense advertising campaign in newspapers and magazines,” he said. “They would fly airplanes with prospective buyers, drop a bag of flour, and where it landed is where you bought.”

Times have changed when it comes to picking out property. But the drive to attract retirees to a communites is just as great — if not more so. By 2030, everyone in the Baby Boomer generation will be

over the age of 65, according to the U.S. Census. Known as the “gray tsunami,” this influx of retirees is estimated to reach 73 million, with 10,000 people reaching 65 years old every day. Members of Generation X aren’t too far behind.

This tsunami is an economic boom for communities where retirees choose to spend their later years. The U.S. Bureau of

Labor Statistics reports that retirees spend around $50,000 a year on food, housing, clothing, transportation, healthcare, and entertainment. That means for every 20 retirees who move to your city, that’s $1 million in new spending — benefiting both local businesses and public coffers.

What’s more, medical technology and a modern understanding of health have extended the average life span. These folks are looking for a place to live out their increasingly longer and more active golden years. In turn, elected officials from around the nation are looking to places like Florida with a successful history of attracting retirees.

Councilman Hayden said that marketing still plays a big role in letting people know about safe cities with plenty of relatively affordable amenities. He recommends reaching out to national retiree groups and publications focused on retired life to

Image Source: Lancaster Downtowners

share the good news about your location.

However, he and his fellow council members have discovered that the same things that attract retirees also attract families. The city council even created a youth council to infuse a more diverse perspective into creating a plan for the city’s future. They feel that a youthful perspective can have an impact on retirees as well as younger generations. After all, retirees also seek vibrant communities, according to Hayden.

“You’ll find that people who retire want to stay involved with education. They want to go to the parks, and they want to experience downtown and the new restaurants coming in,” he said. “They’re part of that heartbeat that started 60 years ago and continues to beat now.”

More than 30 percent of Baby Boomers volunteer their time, racking up 2.2 billion hours of service worth an estimated $54.3 billion, according to the most recent AmeriCorps report on Volunteering in America. When they move in, they make a difference.

But what if your city isn’t blessed with miles of sunny beaches and temperatures in the mid-70s in the middle of winter?

Councilwoman Janet Diaz of Lancaster, Pennsylvania said that plenty of retirees don’t mind hunkering down for a cozy few days when the weather turns blustery.

The reasons are clear: her town has relatively low building costs, making it an attractive location for developers to create a range of assisted living facilities and 55+ neighborhoods that foster the kind of welcoming community that retirees appreciate. Elected officials often negotiate with developers to diversify their offerings so they don’t price out those on a fixed income.

“The cost of living isn’t so high here,” she said. “The county offers an abundance of senior housing options, and the prices and amenities are diverse. You have the city, and you also have the Amish farming that attracts people with their fresh foods.”

It helps that Lancaster is nestled between some of the bigger metropolitan communities but features a lower tax rate. Retirees interested in a walkable community can move downtown and walk to local grocery stores and the nation’s largest indoor farmer’s market. For entertainment, they can take in a show at the historic theater or enjoy a meal in one of the city’s growing number of restaurants.

There’s even a nonprofit group called the Lancaster Downtowners, who organize events for area retirees. Councilwoman Diaz said city officials can work with private and nonprofit partners to help draw in retirees.

“There are always activities everywhere,” Councilwoman Diaz said. “You have days when you’ll settle in. Other days, even when it’s brisk, you can take a walk. In Florida, it rains all the time.”

Indeed, Hurricane Ian was a category 5 hurricane that made a direct hit to Cape

Coral in 2022. Still, Councilman Hayden said around 3,000 people are moving to the area every year. While no bags of flour are being dropped, there is still plenty of land available. He said the town is still just over half built out.

Today’s average lifespan in the United States is 77.5 years, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Statistics. That’s still plenty of time for new retirees to enjoy the good life — however they choose to define it.

Hayden said that may mean being a “snowbird” — the term for retirees who own two homes and move when the weather suits them. That presents real opportunities for officials throughout the nation to put out the welcome mat for the older generations, but it takes planning on the part of the city leaders to make it happen.

“Don’t stagnate,” Hayden recommended. “You can look to the future and see what you want your city to become. Everyone should be thinking about how to create a community that welcomes our senior population.”

Image Source: Lancaster Downtowners

Image Source: Lancaster Downtowners

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WEST MONROE

Mayor Staci Mitchell helped put the city of West Monroe on the map as a youth sports tournament destination recently with the opening of West Monroe Sports & Events. The complex boasts eight basketball courts that can convert to 16 pickleball or volleyball courts. While the venue is a dynamic new addition to the youth sports industry, it’s also a major part of enhancing the quality of life for residents with a bevy of leagues, camps, and open play.

Image Source: City of West Monroe