The Municipal - May 2024

CIVIC CURB APPEAL

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ANNETTE WEAVER aweaver@the-papers.com

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Contributing Writers

Jennifer Barton, Beth Anne Brink-Cox, Lauren Caggiano, Nicholette Carlson, Denise Fedorow, Danielle Lund, Janet G. Patterson, Julie Young

KHOEUN KHOEUTH kkhoeuth@the-papers.com The

Construction going strong so far in 2024

Sarah Wright | Editor

New constructions always hold some excitement. What will they be? How will they impact the community?

Whether new roadways, trails, commercial entities or houses, most times construction offers benefits to a community and can broadcast a city’s overall health. And according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Americans are building.

In an April 2024 release, the organization noted, “Construction spending during February 2024 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $2,091.5 billion, 0.3 percent (±0.8 percent) below the revised January estimate of $2,096.9 billion. The February figure is 10.7 percent (±1.3 percent) above the February 2023 estimate of $1,889.6 billion. During the first two months of this

year, construction spending amounted to $298.1 billion, 11.9 percent (±1.3 percent) above the $266.5 billion for the same period in 2023.”

Private construction led this spending at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $1,617.1 billion. Meanwhile, in February, the estimated seasonally adjusted annual rate of public construction spending was $474.4 billion.

Anecdotally, I have heard in my local area that the supply shortages seen following COVID-19 are becoming fewer with only the occasional delay. But that does not mean the construction industry isn’t faced with ongoing challenges. The Associate General Contractors of America surveyed its members to determine their outlooks for 2024.

“2024 offers a mixed bag for construction contractors: on one hand, demand for many types of projects should continue to expand and firms will continue to invest in the tools they need to be more efficient,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s chief executive officer, in a press release. “Meanwhile, they face significant challenges when it comes to finding workers, coping with rising

costs and weathering the impacts of higher interest rates.”

In this issue, we will spotlight some of the impressive building and construction projects that cities are undertaking. Writer Beth Anne Brink-Cox connected with cities who are breathing new life into old buildings through adaptive reuse. Not only are these old buildings benefiting from this method, but sometimes, surrounding buildings are, too, as private investors renovate other existing structures.

Similarly, Wilson, N.C.’s, decision to invest in the construction of a new minor league ballpark for the Carolina Mudcats is also seeing private investments come alongside it. It truly matches the popular misquote from “Field of Dreams” “If you build it, they will come.”

We’ll also look at Virginia Beach’s many infrastructure construction projects, and Dover, N.H.’s, exciting Cochecho River Waterfront Development project, which has been decades in the making. Finally, Albuquerque, N.M., is moving to ensure it has plenty of housing options available for residents. M

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Staying on top of the weather with ‘eyes’ on the road

By SARAH WRIGHT | The Municipal

Forecasts are seldom infallible with unexpected atmospheric shifts changing expectations and plans. One must also factor in microclimates, which can see some areas more affected by winter storms than others. However, imagine having a personalized, real-time weather forecast, not just for your city but for its different areas. This reality is within reach with Frost Solutions’ mini-weather stations, which also feature cameras for photos of the site. With real-time data and visuals, cities can improve public safety while also saving money on labor and snowfighting materials.

ABOVE: Mini-weather stations provide detailed forecasts and site photos, which help municipalities know when to send out trucks to clear roadways. (Photo provided by Frost Solutions)

TOP PHOTO: City employees can access the latest weather data anywhere from their cellphone. (Photo provided by Frost Solutions)

“It’s a tangible way for municipalities to show taxpayers they’re using funds wisely,” Emily Cooper with Frost Solutions said, noting most clients see a return on their investment in just a few snow events. “Not only can they prove it had positive ROI, but it’s also a visible unit in the community. We’ve had really positive feedback from customers once they’ve started telling residents what it is. People get excited because it’s a sign that they’re going to have the road cleared sooner.”

The mini-weather stations allow users to see what is going on visually via the unit’s camera while also using custom GPS point-specific forecasts. Each unit collects data every minute that feeds Frost’s forecasting system, which creates the most accurate hyperlocal forecast available for that specific location.

Cooper said, “Our units generate both an atmospheric (i.e., precipitation) forecast as well as a road condition forecast (i.e., wet, snowy, dry). This means fewer false deployments and allows public works teams to eliminate unnecessary patrols and 3 a.m. wake-up calls.”

She added, “It really is a quality of life improvement. These guys are very used to doing 3 a.m. patrols, driving around and seeing if there’s snow in different microclimates. If it’s a county, they might have 100 miles to cover to make sure both sides of the county are serviced, and they might have totally different weather patterns. So besides the labor cost, it would save that person from driving 100 miles to go check and see if there is snow on the ground. It also allows that guy to sleep in.”

Frost Solutions has customers in 35 states and in seven Canadian provinces, each with varied weather patterns. In the orbit of Chicago, Joliet, Ill., is no stranger to snowstorms and has found success with mini-weather stations, reducing the amount of salt and chemicals it uses.

“Having up to the minute pavement temperatures available helps us not only save on personnel costs but also material costs,” Cody Dengler, foreman for the city of Joliet, said. “If the temperatures are warmer, we know we don’t need as much salt to clear the road. We can also hold our crews back, reducing payroll and saving the taxpayers. When we get the Midwest deep freeze, we know to use more chemical on our salt to activate it faster.”

The mini-weather stations help Joliet determine how much material to put down and when, thanks to its real-time data for temperatures. This is particularly important during early and late winter when pavement gets above 40-45 degrees.

“The Calcium Chloride and organic materials we use in our treatment become viscous,” Dengler said. “The pavement will become slippery and causes more harm than good for the traveling public.”

Frost Solutions’ mini-weather stations offer ease of installation and are solar-powered, use cell service rather than needing to be wired and blend with their settings while providing an edge in winter storm management. (Photo provided by Frost Solutions)

Cooper noted, “Using pavement temperatures to optimize application rates can not only save significant budget but also reduces environmental and infrastructural damage. According to Wisconsin Salt Wise, it only takes 1 teaspoon of salt to pollute 5 gallons of water to a level that is toxic to native aquatic organisms (395 mg/L). And when municipalities are using road salt, they measure in tons, not teaspoons. Cutting back on road salt to where it is just effective enough can have a huge impact.”

Frost Solutions prides itself on its feedback loop and support for its customers. In the past year, it has added upgraded night vision cameras, increased photo frequency and extended forecasts from 15 to 72 hours at no cost. In 2024, Frost added artificial intelligence image recognition to its mini-weather stations and will offer snow depth sensors as a low cost add-on for next winter.

“We’ve been training an AI model all winter, teaching it what different precipitation types and road conditionals look like,” Cooper said, noting this ability will allow Frost to detect snow on the road and incorporate that into customers’ forecasts or send updates via email or text alerts. “We’re pretty much ready to go, just fine-tuning some things.”

Ease of placement is a major benefit to the mini-weather stations, especially when compared to traditional road weather information systems. Cooper said, “Our mini-weather stations take about 20 minutes to place and assemble, and they are noninvasive. They can be installed on any streetlight, traffic or telephone pole with two steel bands.”

Mini-weather stations are solar powered and use cell service, which is included in the price. Frost uses an all-in annual lease, with customers not requested to commit for a certain amount of time, beyond the year.

Cooper shared, “Some of our customers sign a five-year agreement, others go year to year — we don’t really have a preference. It’s really flexible in that sense.”

Some grant money is available that can be applied toward these units. Cooper noted some municipalities have been able to apply some salt reduction grant money from their local environmental protection agency or environment or water protection organizations. U.S. Department of Transportation-level grants may also be available to municipalities. M

For information about Frost Solutions’ mini-weather stations, visit frostsolutions.io.

Harriet Tubman’s brick home was built in the 1880s and was the second home on the homestead. It would eventually be joined by the Home for the Aged and is now protected by the National Park Service and cared for by the Harriet Tubman Home Inc. (Photo by National Park Service)

This barn is located on the historic homestead of Underground Railroad conductor Harriet Tubman in Auburn, N.Y. (Photo by National Park Service)

A hero’s house: The Harriet Tubman Home, Auburn, N.Y.

By JULIE YOUNG | The Municipal

As the most famous conductor of the Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman boasted that she “never lost a single passenger” during her dangerous journeys. (Public Domain)

She was the most famous conductor along the Underground Railroad. After emancipating herself around the age of 29, Harriet Tubman devoted the next 10 years of her life to making 19 trips to the South in order to lead 300 people to freedom.

Because she spent so much time on the road, Tubman did not have time to establish a home base of her own. However, as civil war became imminent, she purchased a 7-acre homestead at 182 South Street for $1,200 with a $25 down payment. The property was owned by Frances Seward, who had inherited the land from her father. Although it was illegal to transfer land to a self-emancipated person, Seward was married to a powerful New York State politician, which insured that no action would be taken against the sale.

A home of one’s own

The property Tubman purchased consisted of a wood-frame farmhouse on a 22-foot-by28-foot fieldstone foundation, as well as a barn. During the Civil War, Tubman’s extended family including her parents, siblings, nieces and nephews lived in the building while nearby abolitionists protected them from being sent away. After the war, Tubman opened her

home to boarders in order to make money; but in 1880, one of the more careless lodgers accidentally set the home on fire, destroying it completely.

The community once again came to Tubman’s rescue. A new brick house was built for her in 1881-82, erected on a limestone foundation laid atop the rubble stone footing of the previous structure. The new house was designed almost exclusively by African Americans, including Tubman’s second husband, Nelson Davis, and her family and friends. It measured 1,200 square feet on two finished floors and included an attic.

In 1896 Tubman bought a second 25-acre parcel of land next to her existing homestead, with plans to erect a hospital and home for the aged and infirmed African American community. Until that dream came to fruition in 1908 thanks to the effort of the AME Zion Church she planted an orchard and farmed the land. Tubman produced thousands of pounds of pork, hundreds of pounds of butter and enough food to feed the people she continued to care about and support until she entered the Home for the Aged in 1911. She would die two years later.

A national treasure

The Harriet Tubman home was designated a National Historic Landmark on May 30, 1974,

and added to the National Register of Historic Places April 2, 1999. On Jan. 10, 2017, it was redesignated the Harriet Tubman National Historic Park and put under the auspices of National Park Services and the Department of the Interior. Harriet Tubman Home Inc. operates it, however.

Visitors to the homestead can learn more about Tubman’s life in the small Visitor’s Center and by taking in the various buildings on the grounds. The structures include the Harriet Tubman Home for the Aged, which features some of her and her family’s personal belongings; the brick two-story home that was built in 1881-82 the AME Zion Church where Tubman worshipped; and visit her grave at the nearby Fort Hill Cemetery.

Daily tours are limited to between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and the site requires advance reservations. Tours last about 90 minutes. The grounds are open until 4 p.m.

Sheryl Kline said Tubman has been her hero since grade school. She was thrilled to have the chance to see the park that is dedicated to such an exceptional American a few months ago.

“Seeing where she lived and hearing about her extraordinary life was amazing. Paul, the tour guide goes above and beyond to tell her story. She was truly a treasure,” she said in a review.

With knowledgeable docents bringing Tubman’s story to life and the opportunity to step back in time, a trip to the Harriet Tubman National Park is worth a visit. Melissa Dillon took a tour last year and said it is not to be missed.

“Bring money for donations,” she cautioned. “There is zero government funding to support this historic site that honors Harriet Tubman and her life’s work.” M

Young guests to the Harriet Tubman National Historical Park can become Junior Rangers after learning about the park’s namesake. (Photo by National Park Service)

Located on Parker Street, the Thompson Memorial AME Church was the congregation to which Harriet Tubman belonged. (Photo by National Park Service)

Archeologists carefully examine the ground around the AME Church in order to clear it for ground disturbing work. (Photo by National Park Service)

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$69 million

Wilson, N.C., recently approved plans to build a $69 million minor league baseball stadium for the Carolina Mudcats.

BUILDING & CONSTRUCTIONfocus on:

Between 350 and 750 square feet

$3,372,500

A 2019 Land Disposition and Development Agreement laid out the perimeters for the public-private partnership between Dover, N.H., and Cathartes. The latter will purchase property in the Cochecho River Waterfront area for $3,372,500, which will be purchased in phases. There would be a mixedused development comprising 420 residential units and 20,000 to 25,000 square feet of commercial space with more in reserve in case a hotel space is necessary in the future.

Casita floor plans range between 350 and 750 square feet and are often viewed as a flexible housing option for multigenerational families or households. Albuquerque, N.M., aims to provide incentives for 1,000 casitas to be constructed by 2025.

4.2 acres

Virginia Beach’s Atlantic Park will receive a new draw when a 4.2-acre Wavegarden surf park with a 2.68-acre surf lagoon and related facilities are added.

$3.07 million

Assessed value of a parking garage in the Mount Royal District of Baltimore, Md., owned by the Baltimore Symphony Endowment Trust. The garage was permanently closed in February due to age. The property has become part of a discussion about bringing new life to midtown Baltimore and reshaping the city’s post-pandemic landscape. Read about other Midtown redevelopment projects that are under consideration

Source: https://baltimorefishbowl.com/stories/baltimore-symphony-orchestra-isexploring-possible-future-uses-for-its-cathedral-street-garage-property-in-midtown/.

485,000

Square footage of a five-story structure that will house 200 condominium units, three restaurants and retail space on the waterfront in Dillon, Colo. Several waterfront properties will be redeveloped to build the structure, despite some opposition.

Source: https://www.summitdaily.com/news/dillon-waterfrontdevelopment-public-hearing/.

Read about Albuquerque’s Housing Forward initiative on page 32.

Learn about Virginia Beach, Va.’s, numerous construction projects on page 26.

See how the stadium is now driving development in Wilson on page 22.

Read more about Dover, N.H.’s, exciting Cochecho River Waterfront Development project on page 30.

Adaptive reuse breathes new life into cities

Who remembers the old saying, “Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without?” Many people take the saying to heart, using handme-down clothes, recycling cans and bottles, shopping in thrift stores and buying secondhand cars. But there are much bigger and ever-changing ways to recycle, and the term “adaptive reuse,” which you may not have heard before, is one of the biggest. It’s happening more and more in cities all over, and it benefits just about everyone.

What exactly is adaptive reuse? Wikipedia defines it as such: “Adaptive reuse refers to the process of reusing an existing building for a purpose other than which it was originally built or designed for. It is also known as recycling and conversion, and is an effective strategy for optimizing the operational and commercial performance of built assets.”

Michael Pavey, the mayor of Rushville, Ind., said, “The concept of an adaptive reuse of the former Masonic Lodge was first conceived with a 2005 Feasibility Study from Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana. The results that came from the study were viewed

as very valuable, but the original design of the City Center was an evolution of the original concept.”

The Masonic Lodge and the Princess Theater were two historical buildings being considered. Pavey said the Masonic Lodge had fallen into such disrepair “that it was in danger of being razed. This motivated the community to rally around a plan to save the building. Once the community got behind the concept, we had to engage the elected officials so that business/government/funding portions of the project fell into place.”

ABOVE: Center Center’s beautiful exterior pleases everyone who has memories of the original building, but the completed reuse benefits far more community members than just moviegoers. (Photo provided by the city of Rushville, Ind.)

City Center celebrated its ribbon cutting on April 4, 2019, and includes city of Rushville government offices, the Princess Theater, Ivy Tech Community College classrooms and a community meeting space. The project brought a complete renovation of the interior and exterior of the building and updated electrical and plumbing systems.

It was funded with a general obligations bond. Pavey said, “That bond was underwritten by leases of the ‘mixed-use’ spaces, which were theater (the Wolf Theatres) and satellite college classrooms for Ivy Tech.”

As hoped, the success of this led to other similar reuses. “We have another city-owned building across the street from the City Center. At the time of its construction, it was a furniture store. The first floor has been transformed into a microbrewery, and the second floor is being prepped to become a launch

As many architectural details and beautiful hardwoods were reused as possible to maximum effect. (Photo provided by the

space,” Pavey explained, adding there were some unforeseen issues with such projects. “Sure, all renovation projects come with surprises. This project was no exception. Most were manageable, and some were unique. A 10-foot beehive in an abandoned fireplace chimney was an unexpected challenge!”

The public has been a huge supporter of this project, “whether through communitywide surveys or via raising funds.”

Pavey noted half of the $100,000 was raised while the other half was matched through the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, in conjunction with Patronicity, for the recreation of the marquee.

He said, “This project has instilled a sense of pride in the community, and it has also advanced the quality of life for the Rushville residents.”

Surprises and challenges notwithstanding, he said, “The timeline of a renovation is typically shorter than new construction. This project was delayed —not as a result of the building but because the city changed the delivery method early in the project timeline.” He continued, “We went to great lengths to preserve as many historic architectural details as possible. We took great pride in having a truly historic building in looks, which is also outfitted with the most modern technology.”

Pavey hoped other towns will look into this kind of possibility. “I would encourage all communities to consider adaptive reuse. It can be adapted to a variety of different potential project solutions. A downtown adaptive reuse allows the community to maintain the historic facade and fabric of the downtown, while providing a building with all the modern conveniences. And in another application, adaptive reuse can also be used as a way of remediation for blighted projects, or blight elimination.”

And there are other uses for these old buildings. In some cases, like in Denver, Colo., vacant office buildings are being converted to housing.

Genna Morton, marketing and communications specialist for Community Planning and Development for the city and county of Denver, wears many hats in her line of work, and she wears them well. She said, “Denver has a history of successful adaptive reuse projects, from the REI in Confluence Park to Cerebral Brewing on East Colfax Avenue. The city began a formal pilot program for Upper Downtown last summer, with a focus on office-to-residential conversion, and with a larger goal of shifting the area from a central business district to a central neighborhood district. Late last year, the city also started a

Rushville, Ind.)

pilot program from the East Colfax area with a focus on commercial to other uses.”

East Colfax is a big part of this metamorphosis. Morton explained, “The idea for an adaptive reuse program came out of the community planning process for the East Colfax neighborhood. Construction of a bus rapidtransit system along East Colfax will begin this year. The city anticipates more interest in transit-oriented development along the corridor, and the adaptive reuse program can help to retain some of the unique character and legacy small businesses during this change. During COVID, the city recognized that office tower vacancies were rising downtown, and the process of adaptive reuse was identified as one tool to help transition this area from a traditional, central business district into a central neighborhood district.”

Public reaction has been good, too. “The feedback we have received has been positive, and there has been a lot of interest from developers in the pilot programs,” she explained. “The pilot program has not yet seen a completed conversion, but previous adapted reuse projects have been very successful. An old Catholic school dormitory

The city of Rushville, Ind., moved its government offices into the City Center building. Pictured is the mayor’s office. (Photo provided by the city of Rushville, Ind.)

city of

was recently converted into affordable housing in the Loretto Heights redevelopment, for one example.”

She added, “The pilot programs are ongoing, and it will likely be years before the construction begins. The goal of the adaptive reuse pilot programs is to better understand the regulatory, procedural and financial barriers that adaptive reuse programs face in Denver, and how the city can best support the success of these projects in the future.”

Morton also hoped other cities will consider this kind of reuse. “It’s important to understand the condition of the existing building stock, what conversions the market will support and if there is an experienced development community interested in taking on this work. Adaptive reuse projects can be uniquely challenging and rewarding, but they do require careful study and disciplined execution.”

Funding is also vital. “To be clear, it’s fairly challenging to fund any type of construction now, whether a renovation, adaptive reuse or new construction. For adaptive reuse, the purchase price of the existing building can make or break a deal, so careful negotiation is key. Adaptive reuse can also pose unique risks, so it’s important that the team be able to stack funding sources, if needed,” Morton said, adding that the pandemic supply chain shortages have mostly resolved, so shortages are not typically a construction schedule driver.

“So far, the adaptive reuse pilot projects are all still active and moving through the permitting process,” Morton said.

As to whether or not this approach has raised property values and community pride, she said, “One of the benefits of adaptive reuse in

The East Colfax area of Denver, Colo., is being focused on for potential adaptive reuse opportunities. Construction of a bus rapid-transit system along East Colfax will begin this year. (Jamilya Khalilulina/Shutterstock.com)

general is that it can maintain neighborhood character. Instead of tearing down an existing building, it can be repurposed, keeping the familiar architectural style.” As for community pride, she elaborated, “The pilot programs are geared toward a development community audience, but we’d love to see volunteers advocate for adaptive reuse programs, incentives and education at the local, state and federal levels.”

She noted, “Adaptive reuse is not a new idea, and there are quite a few books, articles and project case studies on best practices that have been published over the years. The challenge is to understand barriers that these projects are facing today, so in addition to the pilot programs, the city commissioned a strategy paper and an office-toresidential conversion study to understand the potential of adaptive reuse in Denver.”

It’s definitely food for thought. Take a walk through some of the older neighborhoods in your area, or drive through the downtown business district and rethink empty buildings’ purposes. What could they become? Is there a new use they could serve? What can your town do to make this kind of project a reality? M

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If you build it, investment will come

By DENISE FEDOROW | The Municipal

The famous line from the movie, Field of Dreams, “If you build it, he will come” is apt for cities building minor league stadiums, but it’s not just one individual or even players coming. Other investors and spectators can give a good return on the investment, as it generally spreads beyond the bleachers.

Wilson, N.C., is one city that recently approved plans to build a $69 million minor league baseball stadium for the Carolina Mudcats. The Carolina Mudcats have been playing at Five County Stadium in Zebulon since 1991.

Assistant City Manager Rodger Lentz explained how Wilson got involved, stating it all started with a nearby recent public-private partnership where the city purchased buildings from BB&T, including its iconic towers, and put in a mixed-use building with a YMCA, apartment buildings and parking. Then BB&T looked to relocate and build a new facility and

that resulted in a land swap, which made land available for the stadium.

Lentz said someone affiliated with the mixed-use building project had ties to the Milwaukee Brewers, who own the Mudcats and made the connections.

The minor league has new requirements Professional Development League standards that include all kinds of improvements to modernize facilities. One example Lentz gave was structures need to have female facilities since there are now female umpires. A lot of the PDL standards have to do with the team, but some include visitor enhancements

ABOVE: The Stadium at Gillette is part of the J. Burt Gillette Athletic Complex, where little league baseball, softball and other athletes come to play in Wilson, N.C. (Photo provided by Wilson, N.C.)

as well, so a lot of minor league stadiums will need to upgrade.

Representatives from the team met with city officials, liked their vision and concepts, and they all signed an agreement, according to Lentz.

The stadium fits in with the city’s comprehensive plan adopted in 2010, in which the city made plans to clean up and redevelop older parts of the downtown. Officials wanted to protect some of the historic warehouses and clean up brownfield areas like the old Buttercup ice cream plant and Wilson Petroleum. “We’d been acquiring land in the area, demolishing structures and doing environmental

the stadium and is excited about the development of its downtown. (Photo provided by Wilson, N.C.)

cleanups with EPA grants with the purpose of making it available for redevelopment,” Lentz said.

A lot of ideas were tossed around, including a civic center for events, but Lentz said, “Building a civic center is very expensive, and with no lessee, the city would have full operational expenses.”

However, with the stadium, the city has a fully guaranteed lessee with the Milwaukee Brewers, which will help pay a portion of the debt, and taxes from the stadium and entertainment complex will be “significant from a financial standpoint. We put together a pretty good deal, better than what we’d have with a civic center.”

There’s also “significant private development around the stadium $220 million development in a multiphase entertainment complex. The first phase will include a hotel directly attached to the stadium and another mixed-use building directly tied to the concourse and outfield.”

Additional phases are not concrete at this point. With the hotel and mixed-use building, they can host concerts, banquets, meetings and events, and there will be views into the stadium and also nearby Whirligig Park.

Lentz explained right next door to where the stadium will be is Whirligig Park, which features very large kinetic structures by folk artist Vollis Simpson, who is recognized as the official folk artist of North Carolina.

According to the website, www.wilsonwhirligigpark.org, Simpson began making the 40- to 50-foot-high sculptures out of recycled industrial machinery on his farm, 11 miles outside of the city. After word got out on the internet, the farm attracted visitors from out of state and all over North Carolina. He continued making the whirligigs until six months before his death at age 94 in 2013. In 2010, a plan was announced to create the Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park in historic downtown Wilson. Reportedly, Simpson was delighted that his work would survive. Whirligig Park is also home to Wilson’s farmer’s market and a small concert green with a stage.

to talents of the official folk artist of North Carolina. Simpson created these mammoth whirligigs from recycled materials. The new Carolina Mudcats stadium in Wilson, N.C., will have views of the whirligigs a unique feature no other minor league park can claim. (Photo provided by Wilson, N.C.)

“It’s become like the living room for that part of downtown,” Lentz said. There’s additional park land between the park and the future stadium, and they’ll all be connected. “Whirligig Park is unique,” Lentz said, noting nowhere else has Vollis’s unique pieces. “It sits across the street from tobacco factories, which have been turned into apartments and includes a Vollis Simpson museum and gift shop.”

Benefits to the city

Lentz came on board with the city in 2007, and the city manager joined a year and a half to two years prior to him. He said when they “looked at downtown private investment, there was very little.”

There was not a lot of investment in the large center city, the industrial historic districts or the traditionally minority communities between downtown and U.S. 301 highway corridor. They figured in 2010 there was $1 million or less invested between public and private investments in the downtown, and they worked for a long time to bring in investments downtown.

“Since that time, there’s been steady growth, and these are finished projects the investment will be north of $60 million in a year’s time,” he said.

Lentz noted the stadium “is another step in the direction of revitalizing our center city. Not only will we see new buildings go up hotels and apartments being built around the stadium but also historic buildings are being restored, sometimes by local investors, now that may have been written off before.”

Starting investment downtown attracted local people and others outside the area who became interested, so now there’s continued investment, bringing historic buildings back and turning them into breweries, coffee shops, restaurants, art galleries and retail shops.

Lentz said, “We’re seeing activity because of a renewed focus on downtown.”

A line of whirligigs at Vollis Simpson Whirliigig Park highlights

This photo is a rendering of the future Carolina Mudcats stadium in Wilson, N.C. The city is investing $69 million in

He shared that activity and investment is “spilling out to neighborhoods surrounding downtown.”

The city received a Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery $10 million grant in 2015, which helped improve the U.S. 301 highway infrastructure and stormwater and made it more pedestrian friendly. According to a report online, the following year, North Carolina Board of Transportation added $6.5 million toward expanding the improvements.

“The stadium is one piece of a much larger picture of revitalizing the center part of the city and making sure it’s an attractive place to locate, both from an economic standpoint for new industry and for workers and visitors,” he said.

City officials were “making very active decisions and bold decisions to improve the quality of life and have exciting things for our residents to do.”

Naturally, all this redevelopment is bringing more tax revenue to the city. Lentz said Wilson just received reevaluation numbers. “Our downtown was the highest depreciation area in the county. Property values went up over 100% in an eight-year period. That’s very exciting to see.”

The county’s average increase is 52%. “That’s a testament to the success that people are seeing in the downtown economy and market,” he said. “A lot of people are putting money into improvements of the buildings. We’re very excited.”

Changing economies and downtowns

He pointed out that the city’s economy has changed in a different direction over the years. In the early 1900s, Wilson was known for its tobacco market, which was huge. It had tobacco auction warehouses downtown, and many people were coming into the downtown area for the auction and then shopping in stores. That has changed, and like most of the United States, Wilson suburbanized, built malls and, like a lot of places, forgot about its downtown.

“That’s changing now as people have rediscovered downtowns. I think people want that authentic experience in a downtown that comes with local coffee shops, a walk to the park and library it’s the center of activity.” But, Lentz added, “This doesn’t happen by accident. It takes really good planning and a community’s commitment to doing its part to provide infrastructure to ensure an actual place for development to occur.”

The general obligation bond used to finance the project pledges nonlocal tax dollars, so it doesn’t affect the tax rate. It uses revenue coming in from the state, like sales tax, for instance. The private partnerships will provide new tax revenue. Lentz said the county is also participating by pledging taxes from redevelopment to the project.

“We have a great relationship with the county all these things are tied together, plus the lease payment from the team will all go toward repaying the bond,” he said.

Lentz was asked about the report that the new stadium will have 2,000 fewer seats than the current Mudcats stadium. He said the Five County Stadium was built for a double A team and the Carolina Mudcats are a single A team. Stadiums are also changing. Aside from fixed seats, the new stadium will have club-level seats, outdoor bar areas, a grassy berm for seating and a walkway around the stadium with a drink rail.

“It was very important to us that there will be views from places in the stadium where you can view Whirligig Park you can be sitting

The Customer Service Business Center in Wilson has helped the city of Wilson with the revitalization of the downtown area. A new stadium for the Carolina Mudcats was recently announced, kicking off even more excitement. (Photo provided by Wilson, N.C.)

watching the game and also see whirligigs. That’s a unique thing no other minor league stadium has.”

He suggested, “How we consume sports has changed.”

Five County Stadium, for example, is on an interstate exit and is surrounded by a gravel parking lot. Across the street is an industrial food service site and a water treatment plant behind the stadium. Lentz said it was basically the same setup as the ballpark he attended growing up off the interstate, surrounded by parking lot. People drive in, attend the game and drive out.

“We’ve seen this movement to build minor league stadiums or football or basketball arenas happening mostly in downtowns. Why? So, people can come to the game and hang out before or after by going to dinner, to a bar for a drink or to shop at the stores,” he said.

“It’s more of an experience versus just a consumer of the game. The stadium becomes more than just about baseball you can have a concert there or there are other things to do before or after a game. On a Saturday day game, you can go to our farmer’s market, then go to the game,” he suggested. “Or do kid’s activities bouncy houses, whatever. It becomes more of a festival atmosphere with the game at the center. There are all kinds of possibilities when you’re thinking about the stadium existing in a downtown area.”

Construction

Lentz said Wilson has some buildings to demolish and is helping relocate some shops first. Afterward, it will upgrade infrastructure water, sewer or stormwater. While currently sufficient, Lentz noted, “They’re older lines, so we want to get it right.”

The infrastructure work is slated to begin in mid-April, and then the contractor will begin preparations for the building pad in late May.

“You’ll start seeing activity in the area mid-April, and we plan to be open for first pitch in spring 2026,” he said.

According to Lentz, the stadium will be built first, but he believed the hotel will be built concurrently. Although the hotel may not be finished for baseball’s opening day, the structure should be up. There’s a similar

goal for the multiuse family housing, which won’t be complete but its structure should be built.

Increasing interest

Since the public announcement was made about the new stadium, Lentz’s phone and those of other city officials have been ringing off the hook.

“It’s generated all kinds of new interest in developing downtown,” he said. “It’s doing what it’s intended to do even before the first shovel hits the dirt. I think this model is sound. We’re not the first in this arena. There’s been a lot of successes way more than failures in this type of work.”

He again said the nearby Whirligig Park with over 30 pieces will create a very unique experience and said the park is bringing in 200,000 visitors every year.

“I’m very pleased with where we are at this point. I’m very pleased with the progress that’s being made all signs are positive,” he said.

He reported that he and a lot of the staff are on phone calls weekly, coordinating with the stadium team and the private development team so everything can go as smoothly as possible.

“We’ve done all our due diligence to be as careful as we can; hopefully everything will go off without a hitch, and we’ll be playing baseball in two years in our new stadium! We’ll know how successful we are by the spring of 2026,” he said. “This gives you a sense of what a stadium can become.”

The sun sets over Wiggins Mill and Reservoir in Wilson, N.C. Wiggins Mill is another park facility where residents can enjoy boating, fishing or nature. (Photo provided by Wilson, N.C.)

Virginia Beach’s oceanfront undergoes massive improvement plans and beautification efforts

By NICHOLETTE CARLSON | The Municipal

Virginia Beach, Va., is a well-known center of dining, entertainment and hotels for residents and visitors alike. It is also famous for its oceanfront, with its famous 3-mile boardwalk, the Rudee Inlet marina area, beaches perfect for swimming or surfing and shopping along Atlantic Avenue. With the oceanfront as a destination for those both visiting and living in Virginia Beach, it is important the area is properly maintained.

In preparation for the summer season, the city has completed a variety of repair work around the area. The city has replaced 836 feet of sidewalk and repaired 18 potholes, which required 4 tons of asphalt. One ADA ramp has been replaced. Three tons of crusher run material was used to repair a damaged road shoulder. Two asphalt pavement repairs were completed, requiring 13 tons of asphalt. Traffic signal maintenance was performed on 43 traffic signals. On Parks Avenue, as cars exit the interstate eastbound, two radar-controlled speed signs were installed. Contract requests have also been submitted for a refresh of the

pavement markings on General Booth Boulevard from Harbor Point Road to the Virginia Aquarium and a refresh of the crosswalks and double yellow lines on Atlantic Avenue between Fifth Street and 40th Street.

Multiple improvement projects are also underway for the area. The Atlantic Park public-private development involves a mixed use, multi-venue entertainment complex on the former Dome site that can be used year-round. The site for this complex takes up 10.35 acres across three blocks of oceanfront between 18th Street and 20th Street. In November 2019, this development agreement between Virginia

ABOVE: In Neptune’s Park in Virginia Beach, Va., the city recently also moved three large turtle statues just north of the statue of Neptune along the boardwalk. (Photo provided by the city of Virginia Beach)

Beach Development Authority and Venture Realty Group for $335 million was approved by the city council. The development will include retail stores, office space, multifamily housing and two parking garages. The parking garages are currently under construction and are planned to open in 2025.

Some of the greatest draws to Atlantic Park will be the 4.2-acre Wavegarden surf park with a 2.68-acre surf lagoon and related facilities. The indoor-outdoor entertainment venue will also be a draw with seating for 3,500 indoors and 1,500 outdoors. Private financing in the amount of $210 million, along with a city contribution of approximately $125 million, will fund this large improvement project. The city’s contribution will come from the Tourism Investment Program fund and be used toward

the entertainment venue called The Dome, parking and off-site infrastructure, such as duct banks, traffic signals, pedestrian crossings and streetscapes.

The ViBe Creative District also has infrastructure improvement projects planned. In 2020, 19th Street was changed from a four-lane road with narrow sidewalks to a three-lane multimodal streetscape with on-street parking. The street is well-known for its paver intersections designed by artists and neighborhood identifiers that stand 9 feet tall. Improvements to 18th Street have begun and are anticipated to be completed in June 2024. These include new sidewalks, pedestrian lighting, on-street parking, crosswalks, upgrades to increase accessibility, bicycle facilities, landscaping as well as stormwater, traffic and utility improvements.

The 17th Street project is important due to it providing a direct connection to the oceanfront from the west. Two phases are planned for this project. Phase one will focus on improving and upgrading connectivity and aesthetics from Pacific Avenue to Cypress Avenue. Phase two will focus on Cypress Avenue to Birdneck Road. This project is anticipated to begin construction in the fall 2025.

The construction of a permanent hard top for the 31st Street stage at Neptune Park is a current project with completion set for May 2024. Improvements along Winston Salem Avenue are meant to improve pedestrian access and connectivity along Mediterranean Avenue, Rudee Loop Walkway and Pacific Avenue. It will create a 9-foot sidewalk on the south side of the street and a continuous 5-foot-wide sidewalk on the north side. Overhead utilities will be placed underground, and new water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure will be installed. It will also focus on improving lighting, adding street trees and providing on-street parking on the north side of the street. Construction on this project is planned to begin in 2024.

Atlantic Avenue is also set to undergo improvements with a focus on improving and widening the sidewalks; creating dedicated bike lanes; upgrading benches, planters, newsstands, bike racks and trash receptacles along the sidewalk; improving the street trees and plants; ensuring there is consistent signage and lighting; and adding opportunities for art. This project is anticipated to begin in 2025.

Improvements are being completed in the central resort district to improve drainage. As one of the oldest areas in Virginia Beach, this district experiences stormwater flooding because of low-lying areas, minimum storm drain pipe capacity, tidal flooding, high peak flows and low runoff volumes. This project will involve multiple phases to improve drainage, including collection improvement, stormwater pump stations, ocean outfall systems and tidal backflow prevention devices. Another project will include improvements along three existing culverts from 24th Street to the surrounding area of Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art. Its focus will be on improving capacity for stormwater delivery to a proposed pump station on Beach Garden Park and reducing the hydraulic grade line. Another project will work on redirecting some stormwater from 21st Street and Baltic Avenue to the 16th Street pump station to prevent flooding during high tides and moderate rainfall.

As a tourist city, Virginia Beach takes beautification efforts seriously. “Recently we moved three massive and heavy sculptures of turtles from a storage facility near Camp Pendleton to 32nd Street on the boardwalk,” Jessica Gilera, Virginia Beach deputy director of communications and marketing operations, stated. Last year, 3,952 perennials and 23,349

Atlantic Park is a large private-public development that will eventually include an indoor and outdoor event venue, Wavegarden surf park, office space, retail, multifamily housing and parking garages. The parking garages are currently under construction and planned to open in 2025. (Photo provided by the city of Virginia Beach)

Much repair work has been done in preparation of the summer season. This includes repairing 18 potholes and a damaged road shoulder as well as replacing 836 feet of sidewalk. Road improvements along 18th Street are expected to be completed in June. (Photo provided by the city of Virginia Beach)

annuals were planted throughout various locations along the oceanfront area. City teams also mulch the boardwalk twice a year.

The Tourist Investment Program fund has helped to make projects possible, such as resurfacing a basketball court, leveling sidewalk trip hazards and installing new guardrails and bollards. This fund also helped to purchases pressure washing equipment that helps to keep the boardwalk clean.

Gilera reiterated, “There was no shortage of projects to tackle coming out of COVID. The city has been able to move forward in making significant progress despite staffing shortages and supply line delays that most municipalities faced when emerging from the pandemic. Residents and guests frequently comment on the improvements and look forward to the coming capital projects in the capital improvement program queue.” M

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Decades in the making: Dover’s Cochecho River Waterfront Development project

By JULIE YOUNG | The Municipal

After decades of planning, drafting, preparing, partnering and navigating the twists and turns along the way, the city of Dover, N.H., broke ground on the long-anticipated Cochecho River Waterfront Development project in June 2023.

“It was so gratifying when they did the groundbreaking on June 20,” said Dover Deputy City Manager Chris Parker. “I think there were a lot of people in disbelief that something we’ve been working for and planning for was finally coming to fruition.”

Embracing the vision

Talk of redeveloping the waterfront had been considered since the 1970s. In 1984, the parcel was dredged by the Army Corps of Engineers to improve boat access. Four years later, the city’s master plan identified the waterfront as a key component of the downtown core

with a Land Acquisition Protection Study in 1989. In 1990, the Dover City Council formed the Cochecho Waterfront Development Task Force and asked the group to draft a concept plan.

In 1996, Parker was an out-of-state college senior who returned to his hometown to write his capstone thesis on the proposed project, which was still on the drawing board. The following year, he returned to Dover to join the team and help to turn the waterfront project into a reality.

Naturally, there were fits and starts along the way. At the time, the city still had its

ABOVE: Pictured is a view of the Cochecho River from Henry Law Park in Dover. The waterfront will see development in the near future with residential and commercial buildings and a new park. (MoVaughn123 via Wikimedia Commons; https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en)

school bus maintenance/repair shed, public works and recycling center located on the land; however, they were moved in the early 2000s. An RFP process initiated in 2005 culminated in the designation of Dickinson Development to finance and develop the public and private improvements for the entire site; however, Dickinson withdrew from the project in July 2014, citing the Great Recession of 2008, upfront costs and an inability to identify additional investors and development partners.

“I applaud Dickinson for sticking it out as long as they did,” Parker said in a podcast interview with Roger Wood on InDepthNH.org.

Undeterred, the city and the Cochecho Waterfront Development Advisory Committee reassessed their project to make it more attractive for development notably, the undertaking, planning, permitting and construction of public improvements to make it CAD ready. This approach minimizes the need for front-loaded private investment, the lead time between development agreement and construction, as well as creating the possibility that multiple builders may be involved under a master developer.

That same year, the CWDAC hired Abramson and Associates Inc. to conduct a market, financial feasibility and tax increment financing study to find out what types of developments could be best supported on the site. The report found that there was a large market for residential units with a smaller desire for retail, restaurant and office space all of which would be necessary to get the site started. Finally, the study also showed that there may be room for a larger commercial or hotel use in the future.

“The biggest key to success in this endeavor was building a partnership with a company that was focused on trust and that would look

at every issue as a problem-solving opportunity,” Parker said. “Luckily, we found that relationship in 2019 with Cathartes.”

Prepping for the future

A 2019 Land Disposition and Development Agreement laid out the perimeters for the public-private partnership, which included the same of the property to the Boston-based Cathartes for $3,372,500 to be purchased in phases. There would be a mixed-used development comprising 420 residential units and 20,000 to 25,000 square feet of commercial space with more in reserve in case a hotel space is necessary in the future. The city promised $6.6 million in TIF funding to complete public improvements, including bluff excavation, site work, a waterfront park complete with a two-story pavilion, public boat dock and kayak launch utility infrastructure and streets.

“The total costs will be above $30 million, which includes upgrades to the River Street Pump Station, the roadways, the utilities Cathartes is obligated to pay back up to $20 million because we had to do the wastewater treatment upgrades anyway so it did not make sense to add them or add some responsibility to them for that,” Parker said.

With the groundbreaking in the rearview mirror, workers have cleared the shoreline

Dover, N.H., hosted a groundbreaking for its Cochecho River Waterfront Development project in June 2023; the project will bring mixed-use development with residential and commercial spaces. (Loud Canvas Media/Shutterstock.com)

vegetation to prepare for the shoreline stabilization work required prior to building and park construction. Once that was out of the way, they began grading the site so Cathartes can start its work this spring. If the production schedule holds, the community should see the outlines of buildings by the end of the year.

Parker said that when completed, the Cochecho River Waterfront Development will be a seamless extension to downtown Dover rather than a replacement for the existing downtown area.

“We want this development to succeed, and we want our waterfront area to be a vibrant spot in the city,” Parker said. “There is a lot of history associated with this site over the past 400 years, so we feel that coming up with and honing this vision to make it reasonable and realistic is setting it up for the next 400 years.” M

Casitas help provide solutions against the housing shortages in Albuquerque

By NICHOLETTE CARLSON | The Municipal

The city of Albuquerque, N.M., is currently undergoing a housing supply crisis for residents. Mayor Tim Keller recently launched an emergency initiative called Housing Forward in order to encourage the conversion, construction and more access to new housing for all segments of the housing market.

Tim Walsh, public information coordinator, emphasized, “Addressing the availability of housing for all Albuquerque residents is not only an important part of our strategy to address homelessness, but it is also a key part of our equity, public safety, workforce and economic development strategy.”

City officials, community members, housing providers and housing industry leaders worked together over several months to discuss ways to increase the access, equity and availability of housing. These consultations helped to create propositions for new policies and programs that will help create more housing availability for all Albuquerque residents, particularly those who have fewer housing opportunities.

“As part of Housing Forward, the city also released a comprehensive needs assessment and set of recommendations to address the structural inequities over time through policies, programs and projects,” Walsh commented.

Several housing strategic actions were suggested by the city in order to better serve the more vulnerable communities, such as residents with a low-median income, seniors and more. Albuquerque recently had the administration and city council support an update to the Integrated Development Ordinance to allow existing hotel and motel properties to be converted into permanent housing units without the full kitchen facility requirement. While there is an overabundance of vacant or underutilized commercial properties, the city and state are working on ways to redevelop commercial properties into affordable mixed income housing projects. The ability to mitigate some infrastructure costs will be a crucial point for housing developers.

Nuisance abatement laws will be more strongly enforced in areas and properties that tend to be magnets for crime. If appropriate and possible, these properties have the potential to be made into housing units. One of the greatest challenges to bringing new or repurposed housing to the city is the limited

ABOVE: An ongoing housing shortage has led Albuquerque, N.M., to broaden its housing stock with equity in mind. (Sean Pavone/Shutterstock.com)

availability of construction crews, according to discussions with industry representatives. Therefore, the city of Albuquerque is tasked with attracting, training and creating incentives for construction crews to carry out projects of all sizes in order to carry out necessary housing initiatives or expand capacity. The city will use the Job Training Albuquerque program, along with other state workforce development programs, as a model to ramp up the workforce capacity in order to build additional housing.

“Removing barriers to the construction and renovation of more diverse housing types is critical to accommodating the needs of the various populations in our city from seniors to family and students,” Walsh explained. “We needed to adjust the Integrated Development Ordinance to provide more options and flexibility for housing developers if we wanted to address our housing demand. Some proposed changes included increasing the availability of diverse housing options multiunit housing through conversions and adjusting the Integrated Development Ordinance to allow for casita construction to be permissive in residential zones throughout the city.” The ability to

The city of Albuquerque has made four casita plan sets available for free download as part of its Housing Forward initiative. All the plans are between 450 and 750 square feet. (Floor plans provided by the city of Albuquerque, N.M.)

build accessory dwelling units or casitas on their property is also being made easier.

A flexible housing option, particularly for multigenerational families or households wishing to benefit from rental incomes, is a casita. This also helps create more affordable housing opportunities in preexisting communities. A casita helps to provide housing for relatives and friends, such as seniors wishing to age in place or adult children wishing to stay close to family as they prepare for their future. It also increases the property value.

When it comes to building a casita on an individual’s residential property, the maximum size is 750 square feet. There have been floor plans that have ranged between 350 and 750 square feet. The buildings are typically single story, though multistory has been discussed. The exterior color of a casita must be the same color as the main house or a similar color and cannot take up more than 25% of the side and rear yards combined. A casita cannot be taller than the main house and one off-street parking space must be provided.

“Casitas and multigenerational living are part of our culture in this community, and we’ve embraced that legacy to help address our housing shortage,” Mayor Keller stated. “Whether folks want to build a casita for aging parents, adult kids or to rent for additional income, we’ve made the building process easier.”

Prior to the Housing Forward initiative, two-thirds of the city was zoned for single-family detached homes. This prevented more

diverse types of housing within the city. Previously, casitas were only allowed in small areas and two corridors within R-1 zones. They are now allowed in R-A, R-1, R-T and R-ML zones throughout the city. In order to provide residents with a free and easy way to get started on a casita at their home, the city partnered with Ron Montoya Design, Inc., which donated four casita plan sets to the city’s planning department. These plan sets range in size from 450 to 750 square feet. Options in these plans include either a flat or pitched roof and foundation options, including a stem wall with crawl space or slab on grade. These options help to provide much needed flexibility for those wishing to build a casita on their property.

“After we received the plans from Ron Montoya, our plan review staff went through them to ensure they met the currently adopted building codes and standards,” Walsh explained. “Then we released them to the public. Our free casita construction plans were released in late December 2023 and have spurred a lot of interest and conversations. They have been viewed and downloaded thousands of times, but with how new they are, we haven’t seen many units completed yet. So far, only two casitas have been built and two have been converted through renovations.”

The city’s goal is to provide incentives for 1,000 casitas to be constructed by 2025. “With each additional unit built, we get closer to meeting the needs of our community by closing the gap in our current housing shortage,” Walsh described.

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Traverse City seniors receive free fire, CO2 protection

By DANIELLE LUND | The Municipal

It is essential for public safety that the citizenry have knowledge about the upkeep of their fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, so Traverse City, Mich., firefighters are reaching out to educate the public on the basics and provide senior citizens with new detectors where needed.

Because individuals over the age of 65 are often on a fixed income, they are not always able to afford equipment that might save their lives. For someone in this situation, checking their fire safety equipment is probably the last thing on their minds; so the Traverse City Fire Department has implemented a program that allows senior citizens and other members of the community to apply for a “House Call” appointment, which means that if a person fills out an application and is approved, Fire Inspector Jacob Steichen will make the visit to the individual’s residence to provide such equipment and install it for free.

As of March, Steichen and his team had installed over 30 new devices in the homes of Traverse City community members this year.

When Steichen visits the home, he assesses the current fire detector and carbon monoxide situation. While he is doing this, he attempts to educate the home’s occupants about the importance of changing the detector’s batteries and ensuring that the alarms are consistently working and placed properly in the individual rooms. Placement is a big concern for fire safety.

He also shows the homeowners what to look for when checking their alarms regularly, which he suggests doing once every month.

Not all fire equipment is the same. “The fire detectors that we’re installing in Traverse City are lithium-ion powered smoke alarms. So, these don’t need battery replacements,” Steichen said. He frequently reminds the public that no matter which alarm system is installed, it only has a 10-year shelf life — meaning that many people probably have expired alarms in their homes, leaving them open for danger.

He also works with the public to explain the difference between battery operated detectors versus new lithium-ion ones, to ensure the homeowner is aware of the significant differences in installation, care and upkeep for the next 10 years.

During a house call the Traverse City Fire Department will bring approximately $200 in new fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors, which are free of charge for the house’s occupants. This project is funded by a grant from MI Prevention, an arm of the state’s fire marshal office, to which municipalities can apply for funding for certain projects.

With this grant Traverse City was able to afford enough detectors for 25 homes: The department is continuously developing methods to acquire more.

To get the fire safety message to the community, Traverse City reached out to specific media outlets. The program has seen an increase in engagement in the past few months specifically because of the conversations happening around the community about this opportunity, as well as local news outlets’ interest in spreading the word.

The resource is available to any member of the community, but Steichen mentioned that priority goes to senior citizens and then to other low-income residents.

As with any project, this one also had a few snags along the way that made getting the devices installed a bit difficult. Steichen said, “A lot of people don’t understand home fire safety, so a lot of individuals that called had battery-only devices. They did not really need us to install new devices, but folks were still able to learn about the process. Some people have hardwired alarms, so we would have to work together to go through various online shopping sites to find compatible ones for those houses. If that was the case, homeowners would purchase the wired devices, and they could then be installed.”

No matter what the current home’s alarm situation is, Steichen is happy to make house calls to meet with community members and educate them as necessary.

Moving forward, the Traverse City Fire Department wants to be able to develop a solid stock of fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to have readily available for anyone who may need new ones. They will continue educating the public on fire safety as well: This spring and summer, the department will host hands-on workshops with children at the local library to discuss fire safety with the younger generation. M

Members of Traverse City Fire Rescue give a resident a free fire alarm. (Photo provided by Traverse City Fire Department)

What to do about the deer? Cities manage overpopulated species

By JENNIFER BARTON | The Municipal

With cities and farms taking over what used to be woods and wild lands, most of the deer’s natural enemies have disappeared or retreated to areas more hospitable to their needs. Modern man is one of the few predators left for the species.

Deer might look lovely in picturesque landscapes, but the damage overpopulated deer can inflict on a community is sometimes devastating. More than a million traffic accidents are caused by deer each year. On average, 200 Americans lose their lives yearly in those accidents. Deer can also destroy small crops and carry disease-infected parasites like ticks.

To counter this, many cities throughout the country have instituted programs to manage their deer populations in cooperation with state authorities. Some allow hunting within the city limits: For example, Mason City, Iowa, works with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to reduce deer herds.

Last season, Mason City hunters who were approved by the police department could harvest and report three female deer on cityapproved land from Sept. 16 until Jan. 10. Police chief Jeff Brinkley said, “This has been a great opportunity to provide additional locations and options for bow hunters while working to impact our urban deer herd that contributes to property damage and vehicle collisions inside of Mason City.”

“Since the start of the DMZ program in 2016, there have been 343 deer harvested inside the city limits by bow hunters. We have also had several private property owners who have invited hunters onto their property to help control the deer population,” he continued. “I

ABOVE: Deer rove in Rapid City, S.D. Over the course of the city’s deer population control program, 55,000 pounds of venison has gone to feed the poor at a local food bank. (Photo provided by Rapid City, S.D.)

hope that there is continued interest from hunters who are looking for a convenient way to fill DMZ tags and harvest additional deer.”

Sheridan, Wy., Pittsburgh, Pa., and Roundup, Mont. the state with the highest number of deer collisions in the West also allow for bow hunting on private property and certain public lands within the city limits. Roundup’s program focuses only on mule deer, a major problem in the area. In Pittsburgh and Rapid City, S.D., the meat harvested from these hunts goes to feed hungry residents through local food programs.

Scott Anderson, parks division manager for Rapid City, reported that 200 deer totaling nearly 55,000 pounds of venison have gone to feed the poor in the last 10 years through a local food bank. The city’s deer management program has been in effect since 1995. Each fall, city officials count the number of deer, compare that data to other years and make a recommendation on how many deer tags to issue. In 2015, two sportsman’s groups began to donate funds to process the deer into ground venison, which is distributed through Feeding South Dakota.

Since the program’s inception, officials have learned how to manage the hunt. A handful of city employees, proficient hunters, handle the task. “My main goal is being safe,” Anderson stressed.

Reducing the deer population puts residents on either side of the fence. “I get calls on both sides,” he commented. “Some love the deer, say that they moved here because of them.” Others see deer as a nuisance.

The only caveat to the program is that the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks dictates that hunters cannot kill mule deer, only whitetail.

East Lansing, Mich., put its deer removal program in place about four years ago. Cathy DeShambo, director of Parks, Recreation and Arts for the city of East Lansing, explained how her city takes a very thorough and analytical approach to dealing with pesky deer.

“In the 12 years we’ve been deeply engaged in deer management, it’s only been the last four years that we’ve entered into agreements to remove deer and reduce populations,” she said. “Prior to that, we spent a lot of time doing community education and working with partners at Michigan State University.”

Much of that involved conversing with experts in deer ecology. In years of study, members of the department also learned that the better the environment for deer, the more likely that does would birth twins or even triplets. Additionally, DeShambo and her team spoke with other cities to see what practices they implemented to control deer populations. They also communicated with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and looped in the local community, sending out surveys and hosting public events to both receive public feedback as well as to educate members of the community.

About four years ago, public opinion seemed to shift toward the reality that too many deer were roaming about the city. Vehicle accidents due to deer had risen, a tipping point in choosing removal. “People were frustrated with the amount of deer activity they were seeing and the amount of damage they were seeing. This was over time, and it was increasing,” she said.

Though DeShambo stated that it was not “realistic to count the number of deer in the city,” her team studied deer activity and the impact caused to local parks. Collaborating with MSU, they tracked deer activity through the use of trail cams both in public areas but also some private properties that had received complaints about deer activity.

Keeping nonlethal measures in place, the city council decided it was time to remove some deer to thin the population. The removal took place in early January.

Instead of allowing hunters from the general population into problem areas, USDA Wildlife Services biologists came in with hunting rifles. DeShambo stated that “you can remove quite a few deer in an evening in a park system, and you can do it very safely,” providing the deer cooperate. To ensure that they would, trail cams and bait had been utilized prior to the hunting days.

“One thing I really want to emphasize is that there is absolutely no pressure on them to take a single deer. What we’re concerned with is safety, and also that removals only occur in the safest possible circumstances.”

Though the city doesn’t set a quota on the number of deer to be removed, DeShambo said that in the four years the program has been in place, 245 deer have been removed in 14 nights. Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger pays to processes the venison and donates it to the Greater Lansing Food Bank to distribute to those in need.

ABOVE AND BELOW: Northern Tier Trail runs through White Park in East Lansing, Mich. The city put its deer removal program in place four years ago after people began to report damage in public and private properties. (Photos provided by East Lansing, Mich.)

The parks from which deer are removed are not small neighborhood playgrounds but boast 35-30 acres of land and up to 150 acres, “with large greenspace,” noted DeShambo. Other cities in Michigan remove deer by firearms, like Meridian Township, which organizes a managed hunt, and several other cities utilize a professional firearms removal program similar to East Lansing’s.

DeShambo has been asked over the years if other, more humane methods could be employed, but some are not legal in the state of Michigan. Others too expensive.

“We will always look at those programs and other options every year as we evaluate our own program, but currently, this is the tool that we’re able to use. And it’s the tool of choice, based on surveying our residents.”

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Multifaceted approach restores historic Ozark bridge

By LAUREN CAGGIANO | The Municipal

History, civic pride and modern engineering all culminated in restoring the nearly 100-year-old Millpond Bridge in Ozark, Mo. Nestled by the Finley River, Ozark is a testament to the balance between preserving the past and embracing the future.

According to Public Works Director Jeremy Parsons, the town of 22,000 faced a challenge in addressing the historic Millpond Bridge. An iconic yet aging structure, it had long physical and emotional connections with the community. Built to accommodate one-way traffic but eventually bearing the weight of two-way flow, the bridge’s limitations became increasingly apparent in recent years.

“It was an antiquated piece of infrastructure. It was not built to carry the typical weight of cars these days. So, when we started looking at this, we determined it was no longer fulfilling the goals that we’d like it to fulfill.”

Divided into five phases, the first leg meant the road had to be closed in December 2022. The intersection of North Third Street and McCracken Road was revamped, incorporating safety features such as new intersection approaches, striped turn lanes, directional islands and improved signage. The project was unveiled at a groundbreaking ceremony in October 2023.

ABOVE: The McCracken Road part of the Millpond Bridge restoration project encompassed several vital improvements aimed at enhancing the overall community experience in Ozark, Mo. (Photo provided by city of Ozark, Mo.)

Despite the complexities and the extensive timeline, success came from its multifaceted approach. Eventually the iconic bridge was restored, with improvements on Jackson Street and other areas to bolster overall access.

The project gained momentum through a collaborative vision led by Finley Farms, a commercial mixed-use development. According to Parsons, the initiative aimed not only to preserve the historical integrity of the bridge but also to enhance its functionality and integrate it into a broader plan for community connectivity and nature.

“One of our key missions here was making this a walkable area, creating a pedestrian-first environment,” Parsons said. “This means giving the pedestrian the priority because we want people to come down here and linger and enjoy it. And it’s becoming a piece of ecotourism: You can see historical sites when hanging out by the river.”

Of course, all of this came with a steep cost. Parsons said it was also a multifaceted funding strategy that helped to ease the financial

burden. The project was funded through a collaborative effort between the city of Ozark, Ozark Special Road District, Christian County, the state of Missouri and mixed-use development Finley Farms.

“You’ve got a pie that goes from one person paying for that pie to five people paying for that pie,” he said about the investment. “The more, the merrier when it comes to spreading the tab.”

The bold move has paid dividends. Ozarks welcomes thousands a year through various events that encourage pedestrian transit. In Parsons’ estimation, this project has created a robust master plan centered around pedestrian connectivity.

Speaking of connection, a comprehensive communications strategy was instrumental in keeping the public informed and engaged during all stages of the project. Regular updates through social media and dedicated web pages, along with detailed explanations of each phase and its challenges, ensured that the community was not just a spectator but an active participant in the transformation.

Parsons said this openness built trust and turned potential critics into supporters.

“It meant basically pulling back the curtain and saying, ‘There’s nothing to hide here. Look at what we’re doing. We’re doing X, Y and Z, which is why we’re doing it,’” he said. “We had a few naysayers, but ultimately, the public was supportive.”

Since the success of the bridge restoration initiative, Parsons said the city has set its sights on future endeavors. The same spirit of preservation and improvement is being channeled into projects such as a proposal to transform the Green Bridge into a pedestrian and bicycle path.

This ongoing commitment to enhancing the city’s infrastructure in a meaningful way is a boon in the economic development department.

“People come here because of the natural beauty and the connection to the outdoors,” he said. “We want to provide a city and municipality that offers those types of experiences, because we truly believe that if you’re offering those types of amenities for your citizens, you’re going to create a citizenship that’s more invested and involved in your community.”

The project to restore the nearly 100-year-old Millpond Bridge is a result of a public-private partnership. (Photo provided by city of Ozark, Mo.)

By enhancing traffic flow, pedestrian safety and stormwater management, the restoration project aligned with Ozark’s broader community goals. (Photo provided by city of Ozark, Mo.)

Partnership advances watershed education for youth

By JANET G. PATTERSON | The Municipal

For 22 years, the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council has been educating Oregon’s youth about the waters that surround the city of Bend.

The latest addition to its menu of programs is “One Water,” a collaboration with the city designed to teach elementary and high school students where their local water comes from and where it ends up.

“Every year about 2,500 students go through our programs to not only provide them with a sense of place, but also a sense of stewardship,” said Kolleen Miller, education director for the watershed council.

Among the programs Miller has developed in her more than 20 years with the council are the Upstream Project and 1,000 Drops. The Upstream Project is for students in kindergarten through high school and includes science, creative writing and art projects that encourage stewardship of rivers and streams; the 1,000 Drops program traces the path a drop of water takes from the headwaters of the Deschutes River through local waterways.

The council also hosts Students Speak: A Watershed Summit annually in May. This program gives youths a chance to present

stream-related stories, artwork, science projects and music to their teachers, parents and peers.

Additionally, the new One Water program is the answer to a request from Bend schools to develop a more formalized curriculum that teaches where the water students use in their homes comes from and where it goes.

Miller said the city initially came to the council because the specialized curriculum it offers goes beyond what classroom teachers can prepare. The program draws on some of the other water council educational programs but has more of a focus on the city’s role in the water supply. The city will partially fund the program.

“We’ll focus on ecology and stream health, home use in other words, what can go down the drain and what should not go down.”

The programs will be taught in four fifthgrade classes at one of the city’s elementary schools. Two high school classes will also be

ABOVE: Part of the thrill of touring the Upper Deschutes River near Bend, Ore., is a 3-mile stretch called the Big Eddy. In addition to the rapid water, there are towering Ponderosa pines and stunning vistas of the central Oregon landscape. (Shutterstock.com)

taught beginning April 1. About 130 students will participate.

“The program is pretty concentrated, since it will be completed by the end of the school year in June,” said Miller. The classes will be instructed by the water council education and outreach coordinator Colette Boylan: The curriculum will include learning what a watershed is and what that means, as well as what lives in a watershed.

Miller pointed out that the Upper Deschutes watershed is a large geographic area, including 2.2 million acres originating in springs in the Cascade Mountains that extend from southern British Columbia through Washington and Oregon into northern California.

Students will learn about water treatment for municipal supply and what that means. “They’ll hear about how the city treats the water since there is no chlorine or fluoride used,” Miller explained.

The curriculum includes teaching what cannot go into the water supply, such as FOG fats, oils and grease and what can go into the water supply: the three P’s human waste and toilet paper.

They will also hear about the difference between stormwater and sewer water as they prepare for a walking tour of local storm drains and catch basins. The students will experience water quality testing and go on a field trip to the city’s water treatment plant.

“The One Water curriculum is named that because it shows students how water use is all connected, coming full circle from beginning to end,” she said.

“The city is really excited about this, and our planning has been going really well,” Miller added.

If the program is a success this spring, the collaboration between the city of Bend and the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council could result in a contract to continue in years to come.

In addition to educational programs in the schools, the watershed council works with local, state and federal partners to enhance and restore Central Oregon’s rivers. Their work includes restoration of fish passages and habitat, as well as monitoring and restoring riparian zones adjacent to the riverbanks, where grasses, rushes, aquatic plants and trees keep the ground stable.

The council also monitors water quality, stream flow, fish habitats and aquatic insects. The staff tracks changes in the rivers and streams and evaluates the effectiveness of restoration projects.

Thanks to programs offered by the Bend, Ore.Upper Deschutes Watershed Council partnership, students learn conservation skills beyond science. They also write stream stories and draw what they see along the waterways. (Photo provided by Upper Deschutes Watershed Council)

As part of its education mission, the council informs the public about issues of general concern and produces short videos about its many projects and the processes used to accomplish the goal of keeping local waterways safe and healthy. M

The content of the Upper Deschutes Watershed Council’s One Water curriculum is lessons about water quality testing. (Photo provided by Upper Deschutes Watershed Council)

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Climate change presents urgent reality to Newport

By JANET G. PATTERSON | The Municipal

Rising sea levels and major rainstorms are bringing concern to coastal communities throughout the country. Newport, R.I., is one city that is working on resiliency in the face of some difficult issues.

Newport is an island community founded in 1639, sitting in Narragansett Bay between Connecticut and Massachusetts. The city of 25,000 has a variety of geography, from bluffs overlooking the Atlantic to historic neighborhoods sitting at sea level.

“As a coastal community, we’re feeling the impacts of increasingly severe weather, from coastal erosion to abnormally high tides. That, combined with high winds and flooding, is swamping Newport treasures like King Park,” explained Newport Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravong.

King Park is the site where 6,000 French troops landed to help the colonists defeat the British during the Revolutionary War. Today it is the site of concerts, picnics and a popular beach.

“We need to aggressively pursue every available resource to help Newport make the investments it needs to weather these events,” the mayor stressed.

The city recently received a $2.3 million grant from Infrastructure Bank, Rhode Island’s hub for making infrastructure improvements to the much-loved park. The grant will be used to improve the park and its resilience to catastrophic weather events by removing a portion of the existing seawall, expanding the beach area and planting salt-tolerant plants.

The improvements are aimed at mitigating damage from flooding and ensuring that the park will be a recreational asset for future generations.

“We think multi-generationally here,” said Khamsyvoravong.

Looking at the city’s history, he said the historic buildings of Newport have presented “massive resiliency challenges.” His own home dates to 1777 and sits right at sea level.

Centuries of Nor’easters and hurricanes have passed over and through Newport’s 11 square miles. In recent history, changes in the weather and the intensity of storms, and a rise in sea level have far outpaced anything experienced even a generation ago. “We’ve been feeling the pain of this for a couple of decades,” he noted.

A 2022 report released by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Aeronautics and Space Administration and

Recent heavy rains and wind have brought seawater into the parks and neighborhoods of Newport, R.I. Here, King Park, a much-loved recreation site, is underwater. (Photo provided by city of Newport)

Sections of the Cliff Walk have collapsed during recent storms that featured high tides and driving rain. A portion of the walk has been closed to visitors, and a detour is in place to protect both pedestrians and the cliff. (Photo provided by city of Newport)

other federal agencies indicates that the 1-foot sea level rise that was anticipated by 2100 will actually occur by 2050, a full 50 years earlier. That 1 foot could affect thousands of homes in Rhode Island alone.

Noting that the majority of Newport’s infrastructure is at least 50 years old, Khamsyvoravong said the systems were not designed for current water from deluges and have hit a breaking point. Even areas that are set a few miles back from the coast are seeing flooding just because of the volume of stormwater that sewers and drains must handle. Add to that the sea water that is being washed inland, and a breach in the drinking water supply could be catastrophic.

Educating the public about what city officials have been considering is part of the resiliency process that Khamsyvoravong hopes will preserve many of Newport’s resources.

In September 2023, the city council sponsored a workshop to help people understand what is being done and what they can do to enhance the process.

In addition to climate change and aging infrastructure, the workshop discussed how urban growth has contributed to flooding with impermeable surfaces like concrete and the encroachment on floodplains and wetlands. One of the projects discussed at the workshop was a creek that, years ago, had been covered over: Instituting a process called “daylighting” at that creek and elsewhere will improve water quality by restoring natural water flow and increasing natural habitats.

Workshop participants learned that the city has made a commitment to keeping storm drains clear and managing flooded roadways. They were to keep catch basins and curb lines clear as well as use sandbags, deployable barriers and other tools to protect their property when storms are expected.

The outcome of the workshop included the organization of a government structure to focus on climate change issues, with a regional resiliency director who works in conjunction with the public utilities director. A grants coordinator will be part of the team and will help find financing for future projects.

The mayor pointed out that future construction will have to address other climate issues as well, such as high winds. “It is important to design buildings that can withstand hurricane strength winds.”

He said that among the solutions to flood damage to buildings is elevating future buildings and even raising some of the existing historic buildings in Newport. It’s almost too late, as flooding in January nearly destroyed 8,000 historic photos housed in the basement archives of the Newport Historical Society.

“We look around the country and talk to mayors about how to engineer and finance these resiliency improvements,” the mayor said. “In this world of climate change, we all have to work together. We look to each other for best practices.”

He added that very few of their own city council meetings close without some discussion of climate change issues. “It’s hard for people when they see the demolition of beloved beach structures because of storm damage. We’re not closing things because we want to. We want to ensure the health and safety of the people who use them.”

Khamsyvoravong added that in the year and a half that he has been mayor, he has found himself doing numerous video interviews sporting waders in order to stay dry in the midst of flood waters.

“It used to be that you would see a mayor on television wearing a jacket or windbreaker with the city seal on it. We’re now into an era where it will be waders with the city seal.” M

Newport’s famous 3.5-mile Cliff Walk draws tourists as well as locals to take in the natural beauty as well as the architecture of mansions constructed there during the Gilded Age of the early 20th century. (Photo provided by city of Newport)

Tax incentive program rehabs coastal city

By JULIE YOUNG | The Municipal Municipal Management

In March 2022, the city of Wildwood, N.J.’s, Board of Commissioners voted to continue a popular tax-incentive program designed to encourage development and home improvements throughout the coastal community. It is a program that began in 2015 and has increased property values and revitalized blighted areas of the city with newer housing and commercial projects including hotels, restaurants and retail stores.

A diamond in the rough

Prior to the launch of the 2015 tax incentive program, Wildwood was designated “an area in need of rehabilitation” in which a significant portion of structures were deteriorated or in a substandard condition. There was a continuing pattern of vacancy and abandonment as well as a need to prevent further deterioration while encouraging new construction. City leaders initially offered the tax incentives within the business district on Pacific and Rio Grande avenues, then expanded it to include the whole city.

Under the plan, new residential construction is eligible for a reduction of 30% of the assessment of the finished value for singlefamily and multifamily projects. Existing homes, those older than 25 years, are eligible for an exemption of the first $25,000 in value for improvements and additions made to the property. Commercial projects

are eligible for a five-year phase-in of the value of the new project, which starts at $0 for the first year, increases to 20 percent for the second year and 40 percent during the third year until the full tax bill is applied in the final year. The incentive has the added bonus of being transferrable in the event the property is sold.

“The program allows a new project to be built and not immediately saddle the owner with a hefty tax bill,” said Wildwood Tax Assessor Jason Hesley CTA. “It is believed that the granting these exemptions or abatements attracts development to the city that would otherwise not occur.”

In the years since, the program has had a tremendous impact on the community and has resulted in several construction projects that might not have been previously considered. Instead, several have been

ABOVE: Wildwood, N.J.’s, tax exemption/ abatement program has led to new construction in the area. (Photo provided by Wildwood, N.J.)

built and construction continues throughout Wildwood.

Of course, no program is perfect. Hesley is quick to point out how challenging it can be to balance the benefits to new property owners against the taxes being paid by current residents.

“Many believe that allowing newer properties to pay a lower portion of the full tax bill places a burden on the other taxpayers in the district,” he said. “However, it is important to note that if not for the incentives granted, many projects would not be built. This would result in the city receiving no added tax revenue.”

In addition, due to the age of the program, there are properties aging out of it. This has resulted in $1 million in ratables being added to the tax base from those properties whose exemption has expired.

“From 2011 to 2018, losses in ratables from tax appeals outnumbered the gains in ratables from development and new construction. However, after the implementation of the five-year tax exemption or abatement program has seen a steady increase in our ratable base,” Hesley said.

Generating interest

Incorporated as a city in 1912, the city of Wildwood is part of five distinct communities in Cape May County, N.J., collectively known as The Wildwoods. The area developed as a resort town near the end of the 19th century and experienced something of a building boom during the “Doo-Wop” era of the 1950s and 1960s, thanks in part to the completion of the Garden State Parkway in 1955.

During this period, approximately 300 motels were constructed with all the neon, color, angles and kitsch character for which the decades were known; and though some of the travel lodges have been demolished, those that remain have been organized into the Wildwoods Shore Resort Historic District – including the restored Caribbean Motel and the Chateau Bleu Motel, the Oceanview Hotel, among others. One of the most notable resorts was the HofBrau Hotel, which many consider the original home of rock and roll. Bill Hailey and the Comets performed “Rock Around the Clock” on the premises over Memorial Day Weekend 1954.

The nostalgic charm of Wildwood is beloved by locals and tourists alike. They flock to the Boardwalk to enjoy 38 blocks of shops, waterparks, eateries and entertainment for folks of all ages. And although the city is keen to encourage modern developments, city officials also believe in preserving the past. The tax-incentive program offers a benefit to both worlds.

Hesley said that communities considering a similar abatement program should put together a competent review committee made up of professionals within the municipality and from the private sector so that all valuable viewpoints can be explored. However, just as the program can be successful in generating interest in development, it is also important to consider when such a program has achieved its goals.

“Having a clear plan on when to wrap things up can be helpful,” he said. M

The Waves Motel is one of the newer developments thanks to Wildwood’s tax exemption/abatement program that allows builders to phase in their tax assessment costs. (Photo provided by Wildwood, N.J.)

The Corkyard Bar gives a neighborhood a lift while also offering developers a tax reprieve thanks to Wildwood, N.J.’s, tax exemption/abatement program. (Photo provided by Wildwood, N.J.)

RIGHT: The Mudhen Guest Homes are among the new developments to benefit from Wildwood tax exemption/abatement program, which allows owners to phase in their tax assessments over five years. (Photo provided by Wildwood, N.J.)

These townhomes, located on a former city property, offer the area a bit of a facelift. (Photo provided by Wildwood, N.J.)

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May 6-9 Cleanpower 2024 Conference & Exhibit

Minneapolis, Minn.

https://cleanpower.org/events/

May 6-9 MSTPA Annual Conference & Trade Show

The Westin Chattanooga, Chattanooga, Tenn.

https://www.mstpa.org/ conference

May 6-9 Maryland Rural Water Association 32nd Annual Conference

Ocean City Convention Center, Ocean City, Md.

https://www.md-rwa.org/ annual-conference.

May 7-10 Government Fleet Expo & Conference

Kentucky International Convention Center, Louisville, Ky.

https://www. governmentfleetexpo.com/

May 8-10 NACO Western Interstate Region Conference

Mariposa County, Calif.

https://www.naco.org/

May 8-10 Labor Relations Institute

Yakima Convention Center, Yakima, Wash.

https://wacities.org/eventseducation/conferences

May 12 31st Annual Top Cops Awards Dinner

Washington, D.C.

https://www.napo.org/events/ upcoming-events/

May 14 NAPO’s Legislative Update Breakfast & Lobby Day

Washington, D.C.

https://www.napo.org/events/ upcoming-events

May 14-16 International Association of Fire Chiefs Community Risk Reduction Leadership Conference

The Renaissance, Glendale, Ariz.

https://www.iafc.org/events

May 14-16 Tennessee Fire Chiefs Spring Conference

Park Vista, Gatlinburg, Tenn.

https://www.tnfirechiefs.com/ conferences

May 14-16 NCRWA 47th Annual Conference & Exhibition

Benton Convention Center, Winston – Salem, N.C.

https://www.ncrwa.org/ annualconference.html

May 15-17 TFCA Spring Conference

Park Vista, Gatlinburg, Tenn.

https://www.tnfirechiefs.com/ conferences

May 15-17 NYCOM 2024 Annual Meeting & Training School

The Sagamore, Bolton Landing, N.Y.

https://www.nycom.org/

May 15-18 Alabama League of Municipalities Annual Convention

Huntsville, Ala.

https://www.almonline.org/ AnnualConvention.aspx

May 16-19 WSFFA 101st Annual Conference & Fire School

Wenatchee Convention Center, Wenatchee, Wash.

https://wsffa.growthzoneapp. com/ap/Events/

May 20-22 New York Rural Water Association 45th Annual Technical Training Workshops & Exhibition

The Turning Stone Resort 7 Conference Center, Verona, N.Y.

https://www.nyruralwater.org/ conference

May 20-22 Association for Pennsylvania Municipal Management Annual Conference

MAY JUNE

Wind Creek Bethlehem, Pa.

https://www.apmm.net/annualconference-information

May 20-23 Advanced Clean Transportation Expo

Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nev.

https://www.actexpo.com/

May 21-24 WRPA 77th Annual Conference

Hilton, Vancouver, Wash.

https://www.wrpatoday.org/

May 22-24 ARWA Gulf Coast Technical Training Conference

Orange Beach, Ala.

https://alruralwater.events/ event/17

May 22-24 MEPAV Annual Conference

Hilton Garden Inn, Virginia Beach, Va.

https://www.mepav.org/ annual-conference/

May 22-25 California Association Recreation & Park Districts Conference

Sonoma Wine County, Calif.

https://www.caparkdistricts. org/

May 23-25 ARWA Joint Annual Technical Training Conference

Perdido Beach Resort, Orange Beach, Ala.

https://alruralwater.events/

June 2-5 EUFMC 2024 Williamsburg Lodge & Conference Center, Williamsburg, Va. www.eufmc.com

June 4-6 NYWEA Spring Meeting & Exhibition

Buffalo, N.Y.

https://www.nywea.org/ education_outreach/eventsconferences/

Event The Muncipal will be attending. To list your upcoming conference or seminar in The Municipal at no charge, call (800) 733-4111, ext. 2307, or email the information to swright@the-papers.com.

National Public Works Week 2024: May 19-25

Connecting the World Through Public Works

American Public Works Association announced the theme “Advancing Quality of Life for All” for the 2024 National Public Works Week, May 19-25. Public works contributes to advancing and enhancing everyone’s quality of life, no matter where they live in the world. Public works professionals provide essential services that lead to healthier, happier, more vibrant communities.

The “Advancing Quality of Life for All” theme shines a spotlight on the way public works professionals advance quality of life, whether as a first responder to an electricity outage, regular waste pickup or a myriad of other ways they silently serve their communities. Public works professionals provide an infrastructure of services in transportation; water, wastewater and stormwater treatment; public buildings and spaces; parks and grounds; emergency management and first response; solid waste; and right-of-way management. They are what make communities dynamic places to live and work. Join APWA in celebrating the quiet work these professionals do that makes life better for everyone.

About the artist

James Boast is an illustrator and animator who creates bold, simple and colorful lifestyle pieces. He is based in London. Boast finds inspiration away from screens, whether that is with his head in a book, sitting on a train or traveling the world. He is always listening to music, loves reading, meeting new people, traveling, drawing and yoga-ing. Boast relishes all creative opportunities, advertising, animation, editorial, publishing, murals or anything else.

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Best states to raise a family

“It’s crucial to consider economic factors when deciding where to raise a family, like the job market, average income and housing costs,” knows WalletHub analyst Cassandra Hope. “It’s also important to look beyond dollars and cents, as things like lowquality schools, a bad healthcare system, natural disasters, or a high crime rate can turn the alreadystressful process of parenting into a nightmare.”

Do some states make it easier than others for parents to raise their children? It does seem that way, according to data gathered by the WalletHub team and available on the financial advice website. The ideal state, according to the site, is “one that’s affordable to live in during this time of high inflation and

Source: https://wallethub.com/edu/best-states-to-raise-a-family/31065

also offers high safety and good job prospects, on top of quality education, healthcare and entertainment.”

Fifty key indicators were analyzed to determine scores in the indexes of family fun, health and safety, education and childcare, and socioeconomics across all 50 states to determine where families stood the best chance of finding happiness and balance. The best of the best – the Top Ten states from the resulting list – ranked particularly high in terms of child safety, workers’ economic prosperity and educational opportunities. They are:

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