October Citizens Planning Academy: Placemaking

September 25, 2018 by Kate

Creative Placemaking: An Action-Oriented Guide to Arts in Community Development

Wednesday, October 3, 6 – 7:30 PM. Free and open to the public.
U of I Legacy Pointe Conference Room, Idaho Water Center, 322 E. Front Street, Boise.

Free off-street parking is available in the Idaho Water Center and Ada County Courthouse garages. More information and links maps can be found here.

Dr. Amanda J. Ashley is an associate professor in the Urban and Regional Planning Department and the Director of the Urban Studies and Community Development program in the School of Public Service at Boise State University. She teaches economic and community development, and her research has covered the politics of urban development and land use change, the relationship between civic engagement and planning policy, and the dynamics of communication in strategic planning and visioning. Amanda also consults for public agencies at the city, state, and federal level on placemaking and urban development.

The C.P.A. is a collaboration of Idaho Smart Growth and the University of Idaho’s College of Law in Boise and Bioregional Planning Program. Monthly sessions are designed to help citizens become effective advocates on a wide range of planning topics.

RSVP office@idahosmartgrowth.org. Learn more about the series here or view past session videos on our YouTube channel.

September Citizens Planning Academy: NIMBY, YIMBY, or …?

August 7, 2018 by Kate

NIMBY, YIMBY, or …? Being an Effective, Constructive Advocate in Times of Growth

Wednesday, September 5, 6 – 7:30 PM. Free and open to the public.
U of I Legacy Pointe Conference Room, Idaho Water Center, 322 E. Front Street, Boise.

You’ve probably heard the term NIMBY (not in my back yard) and perhaps the emerging YIMBY (yes in my back yard) response. While these are catchy descriptions of how one might respond to development, constructive approaches to growth are often more nuanced than a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no.’ Join us for this presentation and discussion on how to be a positive influence on development and growth in your community – whether your stance is a ‘yes,’ ‘no,’ or something else.

Deanna Smith, Program Coordinator at Idaho Smart Growth, has served on the East End Neighborhood Association Board of Directors since 1999, including five years as president. She has been involved in community activities since moving to Boise in 1982, working in numerous staff positions in the nonprofit community. She served as field director for Neighbors Protecting Idaho, managed two successful city council candidate campaigns and served on the staff of several other electoral campaigns. United Vision for Idaho recognized Deanna as the 2008 “Administrator of the Year” and the Idaho Business Review recognized her as a “Woman of the Year” in 2012. Deanna joined the staff at Idaho Smart Growth in 2006 after serving on the Board of Directors since the organization’s inception in 2000. She has a degree in education and planning from Evergreen State College and has a Charrette Facilitator certificate and a certificate from Portland State University’s Institute for Bicycle and Pedestrian Innovation.

Off-street parking (free) is available in two adjacent garages. Maps can be found here. Can’t make it in person? You can attend remotely with this link: https://uidaho.zoom.us/j/236930382

August CPA: Housing for All

July 9, 2018 by Kate

2018 Citizens Planning Academy Session Four

Housing for All: Disruptors, Challenges, and Strategies for Equity

Wednesday, August 1, 6 – 7:30 PM. Free and open to the public.
U of I Legacy Pointe Conference Room, Idaho Water Center, 322 E. Front Street, Boise.

Housing stability and diversity are fundamental to sustaining communities. As communities struggle to meet local housing needs, several forces have converged to push housing out of reach for residents and undermine Idaho’s workforce development goals. This session will explore emerging market disruptors, challenges for residential development, and strategies to preserve and create housing that meets the needs and incomes of all community residents.

Our guest speakers:

Erik Kingston, PCED, Housing Resources Coordinator, Idaho Housing and Finance Association (IHFA). Erik created IHFA’s Housing Information Referral Center in 1998 and coordinates several statewide program and outreach initiatives. He represents IHFA on the Idaho Rural Partnership (IRP) board and Idaho Community Review Team, and is a regular contributor to conference and planning efforts, including the NW Community Development Institute, where he teaches Housing as a Second Language. He is member of the Western Community Assessment Network (WeCAN), a three-year rural development and civic engagement collaborative among teams in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming (communityreview.org).

Shellan Rodriguez, Real Estate Development Manager, Capital City Development Corporation (CCDC). Shellan works with landowners and developers to improve Boise’s downtown infrastructure and expand public-private partnerships. Before joining CCDC, she managed housing and sustainability programs for affordable housing developer Pacific Companies, entitling, financing, and developing quality, sustainable housing for seniors, families, and homeless populations. She is a commissioner for Boise City/Ada County Housing Authorities, former US Green Building Council-Idaho board member, LEED Green Associate, and Urban Land Institute member.

Off-street parking (free) is available in two adjacent garages. Maps can be found here.
Can’t make it in person? You can attend remotely with this link: https://uidaho.zoom.us/j/236930382