[Press Release] : FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: City of Columbia to host parking management workshop

[Press Releases]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Alex Dodds
202-207-3355 x112
adodds at smartgrowthamerica.org

Leah Christian
573-441-5515
lcchrist at gocolumbiamo.com

City of Columbia to host parking management workshop

COLUMBIA, MO (September 14, 2015) - City of Columbia officials will meet with representatives from Smart Growth America on September 22 and 23, 2015 as part of a free, grant-funded technical assistance program. This workshop aims to provide city officials with tools and techniques to inform their vision for future development. The workshop will focus on the results of a parking audit in a neutral setting where an impartial parking expert can evaluate local policies and practices to offer advice on the state of the practice.  In this context, parking policies will be considered amidst shifting development patterns towards more compact and walkable development to benefit the community.

“Downtown parking has been an issue of considerable community concern,” said Council Member Michael Trapp. “Taking a comprehensive look at it with the help of outside experts seems like a really good next step.”

Columbia area residents are invited to join the workshop’s first day for an introductory presentation on the relationship between how a community grows and the suitability of its parking policies and practices. The event will be held September 22, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. at the Council Chambers, first floor of City Hall, 701 East Broadway, Columbia, MO 65203.

“Smart Growth America is committed to providing training to help local leaders keep cities and towns livable, vibrant places,” said Roger Millar, Smart Growth America Vice President. “This workshop will provide the community with an opportunity to learn more about collecting and using parking data to inform parking management options. Now is a great time to assess how Columbia can most effectively align parking management with other community goals.”

In December 2014, Columbia was one of 14 communities nationwide selected from a pool of over 120 applications by Smart Growth America to participate in the technical assistance program. Stretching from Florida to Washington State, these 14 communities represent major cities, suburban centers, and rural towns alike.

The program, made possible through a five-year Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities grant to Smart Growth America from the US Environmental Protection Agency Office of Sustainable Communities, seeks to develop local planning solutions that help communities grow in ways that benefit families and businesses, while protecting the environment and preserving a sense of place. Two other nonprofit organizations—Project for Public Spaces and Global Green—currently have active grants under this program to help communities get the kinds of development they want.

As a national leader in the field, Smart Growth America has accumulated extensive experience working with communities to help them use land strategically, make the most of existing resources and invest strategically to catalyze private development. 

Smart Growth America is the only national organization dedicated to researching, advocating for and leading coalitions to bring smart growth practices to more communities nationwide. From providing more sidewalks to ensuring more homes are built near public transportation or that productive farms remain a part of our communities, smart growth helps make sure people across the nation can live in great neighborhoods. For additional information visit www.smartgrowthamerica.org.



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