Regional Participation for Sustainable Development
Agenda
7:30 Registration/Continental Breakfast
8:30 Welcome - Esther L. Bush, President and CEO, Urban League of Pittsburgh
National Perspective on Planning, Public Participation, and Targeted Investments
8:45 Keynote - John Norquist, President and CEO, Congress for the New Urbanism
9:25 Q&A
9:45 Break
Panel: Southwestern Pennsylvania Case Studies on Planning and Investment
10:00 Introduction - Jane Downing, Senior Program Officer, The Pittsburgh Foundation
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Government - Royce Lorentz, Councilman, Borough of Slippery Rock
Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock Borough, and Slippery Rock Township collaborated as the Slippery Rock Transportation Leadership Group to develop a traffic circulation plan that includes accommodations for pedestrians and cyclists.
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Business - R. Damian Soffer, President and CEO, Soffer Organization
The Southside Works Project (featuring retail, entertainment, residential and offices) reclaimed the old LTV mill site’s 34 acres. The development is a model of public/private collaboration and community engagement.
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Civic - Linda Gwinn, President, Blairsville Improvement Group
Downtown Blairsville revitalization includes development of the Blairsville Trail Town, streetscape improvements, and linking to the regional trail network.
10:50 Q&A
11:00 Break
Panel: Federal and State Plans and Programs
11:10 Introduction - Allen Kukovich, Director, Southwest Regional Office of the Governor
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Steven B. Nesmith, Assistant Secretary for the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations, U.S. Housing and Community Development
HUD's broad agenda covers every aspect of single and multi-family housing, special needs of vulnerable citizens and urban and economic development.
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Dennis Yablonsky, Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development
The Governor’s Plan for a New Pennsylvania including the Economic Stimulus Package to revitalize jobs, bolster business growth, and sustain communities.
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Allen D. Biehler, P.E., Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
Development of the long range Pennsylvania Mobility Plan to shape the future of transportation throughout the Commonwealth and make realistic investments where they are needed the most.
12:00 Q&A
12:15 Lunch - Ronald D. Painter, CEO, Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board
Introduction of Regional Policy Guidance Document* (prepared in advance of the conference) to inform afternoon public input session on the Region's Long Range Plan.
Link here for the Regional Policy Guidance Document: http://www.sustainablepittsburgh.org/Regional_Policy_Guidance/introduction_2005_Reg.htm
Organizations are encouraged to review and provide input to the Guidance Document and provide their endorsement prior to the Conference.
Southwestern Pennsylvania Plans and Programs
1:30 James Hassinger, President and CEO, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission
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LRP - Southwestern Pennsylvania Long Range Transportation and Development Plan
The current LRP (the Regional Plan) links more than $33 billion of transportation projects with proposed economic and business development initiatives into a single, integrated plan.
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TIP - 2007-2010 Transportation Improvement Program
The TIP identifies highway and transit improvements recommended for advancement from the LRP.
Official Public Input Session
Updating the Region's Long Range Plan - “The Future is in Your Hands”
1:45 Lew Villotti, Director of Planning and Development, Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission
The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission (SPC) is undertaking an unprecedented regional planning initiative to update its current regional plan (to be adopted by July 1, 2006). Participants will provide critical input into that plan. Using state of the art community engagement technology you can make your feelings known on issues centered around four themes: Live, Work, Play and Invest. Your input along with input of thousands of other Southwestern Pennsylvania citizens will help shape not only this plan, but the future of the region.
Smart Growth Conference Wrap-up
3:15 F. Michael Langley, Chief Executive Officer, Allegheny Conference on Community Development
3:30 Adjourn