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News Archives from: September, 2009

» Grow Smart Awards Tickets- On Sale Now

September 18, 2009

Join us in a celebration of the winners of Idaho Smart Growth’s fifth annual “Grow Smart” awards program on November 12, 2009 from 5-7:15 p.m.  This year’s event will recognize 8 outstanding projects in Idaho as well as a presentation from David Gibney, the Western Regional Director, Sustainable Design Solutions with HDR, and a panel of past winners to share their stories and lessons learned. 

Individual tickets for reception are $15 and tables are available for $150 (10 tickets).

Tickets are now on sale at http://idahosmartgrowth.org/index.php/support/.  Select the $15 donation level.

Idaho is the 6th fastest growing state in the country.  According to U.S. Census data, Idaho’s urban areas are growing three times faster than the rest of the country’s urban areas. The Boise Metro area alone is forecasted to reach over 800,000 people by 2030. 

Sustainable design and development are tools communities can use to meet the needs of today while preserving the quality of life for future generations. Smart growth is development that is economically viable, environmentally sensitive, community-oriented, and sustainable.

Idaho Smart Growth’s Grow Smart Awards celebrate the work of innovative and community-oriented builders, planners, architects, organizations, and developers.  This annual awards program highlights the leading projects that keep our communities vibrant and offers the general public as well as professional peers the opportunity to celebrate and inspire one another.  Past winners can be seen at http://idahosmartgrowth.org/index.php/projects/awards/.

Over 200 builders, developers, architects, planners, elected officials, neighborhood representatives, realtors, and community members attend this annual event. 

Winners are selected by the Grow Smart Awards Jury that includes a diverse group of community leaders and professionals. Nominated development projects are evaluated using smart growth principles as identified by Idaho Smart Growth’s development scorecards. Smart growth principles include:

  • Make development decisions predictable, fair, and cost-effective.
  • Create a range of housing opportunities and choices.
  • Provide a variety of transportation options including walking, biking, driving, and transit.
  • Strengthen existing communities and direct development towards them.
  • Preserve open space, parks, farmland, and environmentally critical areas.
  • Create walkable, mixed use neighborhoods where daily needs are close at hand.
  • Foster distinctive communities with a strong sense of place.
  • Make efficient use of public investments in infrastructure, schools, and services.
  • Put jobs and schools within reach of all who need them.

Reserve your ticket for the 2009 Grow Smart Awards program today at http://idahosmartgrowth.org/index.php/support/ or by calling 208-333-8066. 

For more information, contact Rachel Winer, .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 208-333-8066.

 

» “How Rocky Mountain Cities are Leading the Way to Sustainable Prosperity”

September 18, 2009

"How Rocky Mountain Cities are Leading the Way to Sustainable Prosperity"

Dan Kemmis, Senior Fellow, Center for Natural Resources and Environmental Policy

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

11:45 a.m.-1:15 p.m. The Grove Hotel, Boise

 

What makes cities like Denver, Salt Lake City, Missoula and Boise "livable?" Daniel Kemmis, former mayor of Missoula and a long-time observer of western communities, posits that it's a combination of progressive political leadership and broad citizen involvement. In the process, residents of these cities learn lessons he thinks could benefit the rest of the world. Can this combination continue to produce sustainable prosperity in the face of national and regional economic downturns?

 

 Daniel Kemmis, former speaker and minority leader of the Montana House of Representatives and a former senior fellow at the Center for the Rocky Mountain West, has been recognized by Utne Reader as one of its "100 Visionaries." He serves on the boards of directors of Philanthropy Northwest, the Charles F. Kettering Foundation and the Missoula Redevelopment Agency, and on the Public Policy Committee of the Council on Foundations. Kemmis has written Community and The Politics of Place; The Good City and the Good Life; and This Sovereign Land: A New Vision for Governing the West. He received the Society for Conservation Biology Distinguished Achievement Award for Social, Economic and Political work. Kemmis is a graduate of Harvard University and The University of Montana School of Law.

 

Forum chair: Rachel Winer

Forum moderator: Marc Johnson

 

Registration deadline: October 5, noon

 

 

REGISTRATION:
You can register for forums by calling City Club at 371-2221, or by mail with your payment to City Club of Boise, Post Office Box 6521, Boise, ID 83707 two business days in advance.

 

You can also register online:  http://www.cityclubofboise.org

» Light rail, high speed trains, electric cars- what do you see in Idaho’s transportation future?

September 09, 2009

Do you ever think about what our transportation system will look like in Idaho in 20 years? 

 

The Governor has appointed a task force to develop recommendations for sustainable road and bridge funding that will create a long term transportation system. The Task force met for the first time on August 6, 2009 and will meet over 18 months and make recommendations throughout the process to the Governor, with a final report due no later than Dec. 1, 2010.  In his opening remarks, the Governor specifically mentioned a role for rapid transit and consideration of what role rapid transit can play in the next 20 years in Idaho.  You can read more about the Task Force at http://itd.idaho.gov/taskforce/. 

 

The next Task Force meeting, October 8, will focus on needs.  Now is a great time to contact the Task Force and let them know what your needs are.  It’s easy- just go to: http://apps.itd.idaho.gov/apps/WebCommentsTaskForce/  and let them know what your transportation needs are (more service, better times of service on the bus system, safe bike lanes, safe places to walk, safe intersections, repaired roads, etc).  You can also refer them to Idaho’s Mobility and Access Pathway (IMAP), which outlines the vision and scope within a new paradigm for working and furthering public transportation in Idaho.  More information on IMAP is found at http://www.mobilityidaho.org/.