News for August, 2009
Thursday, August 27th, 2009
The Center for Transit-Oriented Development is celebrating its fifth year, and has published a brochure detailing our projects, partnerships and intellectual capital. Download it here to find out what we do and how our national experience might be able to leverage your efforts, with the end goal of promoting sustainability, livability and affordability. The Center for Transit-Oriented Development is a partnership of Reconnecting America, CNT and Strategic Economics. Read more about CTOD on our site.
Also, check out the interactive map on CTOD’s projects across the country on Reconnecting America’s site.
Posted in General News, Transit-Oriented Development | No Comments »
Tuesday, August 25th, 2009
In a press conference last Thursday, CNT hosted a panel of experts who each discussed effects of the downturn on public transit in Illinois and put forward ways to stop the crisis it is rapidly creating. The conference was called in the wake of a report released by Transportation for America, “Stranded at the Station”, which profiles the paradox of agencies having to raise transit fares and cut services while demand for transit increases.
The press conference focused on how Illinois, in particular, is faring in this climate. Co-chair of Gamaliel Metro Chicago David Bigsby, Access Living’s Program Director Rahnee Patrick, Vice President of the Metropolitan Planning Council Peter Skosey, and Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District Managing Director Bill Volk each adding to the portrait of public transit in Illinois, who the cuts hurt and how it can adjust to weather the storm.
Read more »
Posted in Featured Portfolio News, TransitFuture, Transportation and Community Development | No Comments »
Thursday, August 20th, 2009
Today, Governor Patrick Quinn announced his appointment of Jacky Grimshaw, the Center for Neighborhood Technology’s Vice-President of Policy, to the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Board.Jacky brings 30 years of professional experience working on transportation and community development issues in Chicago and across the country. Jacky recognizes the importance of mass transportation systems to our urban environment. “A high-quality public transit system is vital to our region’s economic growth. Just as important, an efficient mass transportation system can significantly lower transportation costs for households at the same time that it improves the environment.”
“We are pleased that the Governor has selected a transportation leader like Jacky to serve on the CTA board,“ said Kathryn Tholin, CNT’s CEO. “Jacky is a consummate professional who understands the value of a strong CTA and will work tirelessly on its behalf.” Read more »
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Thursday, August 20th, 2009
CNT is working with Illinois EPA, the University of Illinois-Chicago and others to scope out effective statewide stormwater management standards for Illinois that emphasize the use of green infrastructure.
IEPA awarded University of Illinois Urban Planning Program Director Martin Jaffe a grant to assess the use of green infrastructure for urban stormwater management. CNT and the UIC team will be reviewing existing green infrastructure systems and regulatory programs in cities and states across the country, as well as exploring the use of models to determine the effectiveness of these systems in urban environments. Read more »
Posted in Natural Resources | No Comments »
Thursday, August 20th, 2009
Chicago, IL— Away from the attention of front pages and news channels, conditions in America are quietly coming together for a paradox in public transit. From New York to San Francisco, Seattle to Miami, in every major city in America and many of the smaller ones, public transit funding is at odds with the economic realities of the Great Recession.
According to “Stranded at the Station”, a new report released Tuesday by Transportation for America (T4), transit funding is drying up, fares are rising and services are dwindling for close to 90 percent of American public transit systems. And just as these cuts and fare hikes are coming, more people need better access to affordable public transit. Read more »
Posted in Press Releases, Transportation and Community Development | 1 Comment »
