You Are Invited: April 27th Reception for CNU President John Norquist

Please join ReThink280 in welcoming John Norquist, President and CEO of the Congress for New Urbanism (CNU), at a reception Wednesday, April 27th, from 5:00-6:30pm, at the Young & Vann Building in downtown Birmingham, 1731 1st Avenue North. Reception with remarks by Mr. Norquist: "Cities, Suburbs, and
the CNU."

The purpose of Mr. Norquist's visit is to share ideas on New Urbanism and to provide information about how Birmingham can strengthen the character, livability, and diversity of the local community.

Mr. Norquist, a national figure in the New Urbanism field, was the Mayor of Milwaukee from 1988 to 2004. He oversaw a revision of the city's zoning code and reoriented development around walkable streets and public amenities such as the city's 3.1-mile Riverwalk. Named a Governing magazine Public Official of the Year during his tenure as Mayor, Mr. Norquist also received widespread recognition for championing the removal of a 0.8-mile stretch of elevated freeway, clearing the way for an anticipated $250 million in infill development in the heart of Milwaukee.

A leader in national discussions of urban design and educational issues, Mr. Norquist is the author of The Wealth of Cities and has taught courses in urban policy and urban planning at nationally noted universities.

Cities Vote to Fund Further U.S. 280 Work

Hooray and thank you's all around! The Mountain Brook and Vestavia Hills City Councils have both voted to contribute $10,000 each to fund a detailed traffic improvement plan for the western part of the U.S. 280 corridor, to be put together by ReThink280 traffic consultant Walter Kulash at the request of the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT). The City of Homewood has referred the matter to its Finance Committee and is expected to vote soon on whether to approve similar funds.
Read the entire article by clicking here

ALDOT Takes a Closer Look at ReThink280's Ideas; Cities to Vote on Funding Further Work

A new year, a new governor, and a new state transportation director have brought with them a fresh look by ALDOT at ReThink280's alternative proposal for easing U.S. 280 traffic congestion. John Cooper, Alabama's new head of the state Department of Transportation, has asked ReThink280's traffic consultant, Walter Kulash, to furnish Department planners with more-detailed recommendations and plans for the western part of the corridor (from I-459 to the Elton B. Stephens Expressway). The cities of Homewood, Mountain Brook, and Vestavia Hills are expected to vote soon on whether to contribute $10,000 each to underwrite the requested work--which ReThink280 views as a positive step in the progress toward a sustainable, community-based solution to the problems of U.S. 280.
Read the entire article by clicking here