1. Bridging Neighborhood Planning Efforts
While neighborhood planning initiatives abound, assuring that this planning results in well-coordinated, community development efforts can be a significant challenge at both the neighborhood and city level. The Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program has created a variety of resources and tools to help neighborhoods develop successful plans and coordinate city investment of over $230 million in their communities.
Jack Whitehurst, Neighborhood Specialist
Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program
Minneapolis, MN
2. Citizens Academy
Citizens Academy is designed to develop citizen leaders through improved cooperation between government and citizens. During the eight-week program participants are led through informative presentations and tours of various City departments and facilities.
Kelli Glassman, Neighborhood Assistant
City of Wichita
LaVonta Williams, Neighborhood Leader
Wichita Independent Neighborhoods / KenMar
Neighborhood Assn
Wichita, KS
3. Federal Cutbacks and America's Communities
This workshop will explore the impact of federal cutbacks in community development, law enforcement, education, and social services on our neighborhoods and discuss how we can persuade the new Congress to increase funding in these areas. . Participants will learn how to use the Census Bureau=s Consolidated Federal Funds Reports to see the full extent of federal spending in their own community. We will also update participants on the Congressional federal budget debates taking place at that time.
Ed Schwartz, President
Institute for the Study of Civic Values
Philadelphia, PA
4. Making Preservation Work!
May is national preservation month. This year’s theme is “Making Preservation Work!” In this timely workshop you will learn the significance of national, state and local alliances in preserving our historic fabric. A panel of representatives from the three groups will illustrate the significance and the role of each in preserving our past. The National Trust for Historic Preservation, the State Historic Preservation Office and the Local Historic Preservation planner will discuss their individual and collaborative efforts as well as how preservation of our history is an investment in our future! Attend Neighborhood Pride Tour #11 to see historic preservation efforts in Baton Rouge neighborhoods.
Jonathan Fricker, Director
Louisiana Division of Historic Preservation
Walter Gallas, AICP
National Trust for Historic Preservation (New Orleans Field
Office)
Kristin Sanders, Planner
Baton Rouge City - Parish Planning Commission
5. Opening Doors to Affordable Housing
Utilizing Community Land Trusts to Create Permanently Affordable Housing, this workshop will focus on an exciting tool that has been used effectively in South Florida to combat skyrocketing home costs and revitalize distressed (often historic) neighborhoods and commercial districts. The Delray Beach Community Land Trust (DBCLT) has proven to be extremely effective in creating permanently affordable housing and economic development opportunities. Hear first hand from DBCLT staff and community residents how the DBCLT evolved from a grassroots, neighborhood planning effort into an engine for neighborhood regeneration.
Arthur Brown, Chairman
Delray Beach Mayors Advisory Council
Evelyn Dobson, President
Northwest Presidents Alliance
Carolyn Gholson, President
Southwest Neighborhood Assn
Delray Beach, FL
6. Community University Partnership: The Old South Baton Rouge Plan
Old South Baton Rouge was once a thriving, well-populated African American neighborhood until an exodus of middle-class African Americans occurred, resulting in the gradual deterioration and disconnection from all aspects of quality of life. Once referred to as “the Bottoms”, bringing back the pride and enthusiasm of residents in Old South Baton Rouge is one of the main objectives of the LSU Community University Partnership and the Center for Planning Excellence. Attend this workshop to see how HUD and a local foundation offered resources for partnerships to evolve and begin redevelopment dialogue with OSBR neighbors to enhance their quality of life. Neighborhood Pride Tour #12 will show you first hand the partnerships that have evolved in this neighborhood of Baton Rouge.
Patricia Haynes Smith, Coordinator
LSU Community University Partnership (CUP) and
and Local Host Committee Member
Gwen Hamilton, Senior Director
Baton Rouge Area Foundation (BRAF)
7. Neighborhood Recovery after Hurricane Katrina
How does a neighborhood recover after the biggest natural disaster in this country’s history? Where do you begin after your home and all of your belongings sat in toxic water for more than two weeks? How does the city rebuild its infrastructure, school system, police and fire services and restore utility, water and wastewater services? Attend this workshop to learn how New Orleans neighborhoods are rebuilding at the grassroots level. The post-conference tour on Sunday will take you through several neighborhoods in New Orleans.
Karen B. Fernandez, AICP, Professional Community
Planner
Fernandez Plans, LLC
New Orleans, LA
NUSA 2007 Conference Coordinator