Summary - Revitalization of town & city centers

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=210 BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03e8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <A HREF="id125.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Board of Directors"><B>Board of Directors</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id2.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Meetings"><B>Meetings</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id122.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="CEDS"><B>CEDS</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id66.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Scenario Planning"><B>Scenario Planning </B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id80.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Task Team"><B>Task Team</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id117.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Regional, State Federal Links Docs"><B>Regional Plans </B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id65.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Regional Links NW CT"><B>Links</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id39.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ByLaws"><B>By-Laws</B></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id6.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Contact"><B>Contact</B></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>CEDS Sponsors:</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id125.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Board of Directors"><I><U>Platinum Sponsor</U></I></A></div> <div> <B>Borghesi Building & Engineering</B></div> <bR> <div> <I><U>Silver Sponsors</U></I></div> <div> <B>Bicron Electronics</B></div> <div> <B>CEDAS</B></div> <div> <I>(CT Econ. 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Identifying short term and long term issues, identify extensions and gaps that would make walking safer. Identify a few sidewalk projects for inclusion in the 2009-2010 municipal budget. The focus, at least initially, would be on city owned roads since it is more difficult to deal with CT DOT. After that is done, work could be done to identify and mark bicycle lanes on city streets throughout the city.</div> <div> Cooperate with LHCEO “Safe Routes to School Program.”</div> <div> Seek designation from the “League of American Bicyclists” as a “Bike Friendly Community.”</div> <div> Discourage, restrict or slow down automotive traffic in downtown areas.</div> <div> Provide easily accessible and affordable public transportation within the zone.</div> <div> Provide easily accessible and affordable public transportation to locations outside the zone.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Parking:</U></B></div> <div> Provide free, easily accessible, well lit and safe parking areas within walking distance of the town/city center.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Taxes:</U></B></div> <div> Provide tax incentives to developers matching the vision of a younger, more vibrant and active urban center.</div> <div> Don't penalize developers for their success.</div> <div> Provide tax incentives to encourage additional desired development.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Investment:</U></B></div> <div> Encourage multiple investors sharing the planned vision.</div> <div> Screen and monitor investor backgrounds to prevent fraud.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Housing:</U></B></div> <div> Create or enhance existing housing options to attract younger professionals.</div> <div> Provide safe and aesthetically pleasing housing options within walking distance of the town/city center.</div> <div> Provide safe, affordable, and pleasant living environment for residents.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Recreational:</U></B></div> <div> Encourage and develop safe and attractive green spaces within the urban center.</div> <div> Create safe and attractive greenways and bike trails to connect urban areas.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Services:</U></B></div> <div> Provide services matching resident needs including grocery, clothing and hardware stores.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Potential Additions:</U></B></div> <div> Develop destination sites to encourage foot traffic.</div> <div> Attract regional corporate offices employing younger professionals. </div> <div> Attract educational institutions which serve young professionals.</div> <div> Attract retail stores frequented by younger adults.</div> <div> Attract entertainment venues identified as desirable by young adults.</div> <div> Provide indoor and outdoor safe, socially engaging community gathering areas.</div> <div> Attract creative artists and unique street venues and destinations.</div> <div> Develop all underutilized and undeveloped space with the urban zone.</div> <div> Continually involve residents and merchants with future planning.</div> <div> Develop or create unique working locations within the urban zone.</div> <div> Provide free and secure wireless Internet access throughout the urban center.</div> <div> Convert industrial or brownfields sites to match character of the area.</div> <div> Attract fitness and health centers within walking distance of the urban center.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B><U>Related Articles/Links:</U></B></I></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.bizjournals.com/edit_special/68.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.bizjournals.com/edit_special/"><B>Dreamtowns that offer refuge from big cities and congested suburbs</B></A></div> <div> <I>(bizjournals - July 21, 2008 by G. Scott Thomas)</I></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25333277/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25333277/"><B>Downtowns in danger of going downhill again?</B></A></div> <div> <I>(BusinessWeek.com)</I></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/09/nyregion/09suburban.html?ex=1213934400&en=8d0073d3a9672ad8&ei=5070&emc=eta1" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/09/nyregi"><B>A Mission to Make Suburbs, Well, More Like the City</B></A></div> <div> <I>(NY Times.com)</I></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.pps.org/info/newsletter/great_streets/reinventing_streets_as_places" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.pps.org/info/newsletter/great"><B>Reinventing Streets as Places</B></A></div> <div> <I>(Project for Public Spaces)</I></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.newurbanism.org/newurbanism/principles.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.newurbanism.org/newurbanism/p"><B>Principles of Urbanism</B></A></div> <div> <I>(NewUrbanism.org)</I></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I><B>Issues identified during Scenario Planning (March 28 & April 28, 2009):</B></I></div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="1" CELLPADDING="1" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="505" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ROWS" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="497"><div> Economic viability of city centers</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 ><NOBR><div> Effect of new retail stores on existing small businesses</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 ><NOBR><div> Relocation of national/international companies to Region/CT.</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 ><NOBR><div> Planning/execution capacity of Region.  Historically by individual town.</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 21 ><NOBR><div> Capacity of NW Region to influence its own destiny vs. State influence.</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 ><NOBR><div> Determining the “center/focus” of efforts.(who and where?)</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 ><NOBR><div> Defining roles each of the towns play in the Region – in every way</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="497"><div> Land use zoning regulations.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 ><NOBR><div> CT tax structure.  Impact.  Does this affect Region more than rest of State?</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 35 WIDTH="497"><div> State policy re: incentives for new businesses.  Only for manufacturing.  E.g., does NOT encourage entrepreneurs.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 35 WIDTH="497"><div> Internal and external perception of the Region.  Perceived as “wealthy”, “in the middle of nowhere”, individual towns want to “keep their town a secret”</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="497"><div> Possibility of economic and racial separation</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="497"><div> High cost of doing business</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="497"><div> Heavy reliance on residential property tax base</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="497"><div> Internet & cell phone access and availability</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="497"><div> Technology as an economic driver</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="497"><div> Consumer demand</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="497"><div> Limitations and/or aging infrastructure</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="497"><div> Business support organizations</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="497"><div> Regional branding</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="497"><div> Sprawl</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="497"><div> Political change</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="497"><div> Infrastructure – adequate now? future?</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 35 WIDTH="497"><div> Coordinated regional effort for economic development, not economic discouragement (Regional Econ. Development Czar)</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="497"><div> The future of community involvement</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="497"><div> Availability of investment capital</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="497"><div> Attracting companies to spark economic growth</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="497"><div> Economic incentive for new or existing businesses</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="497"><div> Attitudes of community about development</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 WIDTH="497"><div> Availability of land</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 18 ><NOBR><div> Loss of State and Federal representation due to shrinking population</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <div> <A HREF="id80.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Task Team"><B>TASK TEAM</B></A></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></U></B></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>