It is a little bit like the Academy Awards, the drama, the acceptance speeches, the rowdy fun, you get the idea.
So, live, from the Marriott Waterside in Tampa, here are the winners of the 2009 All-America City Awards, posted as they are announced:
The National Civic League ’s 2009 All-America City Awards conference concludes tonight in Tampa. Here is the last of the projects we have highlighted, all nominees in the judging that leads up to the announcement of 10 All-America Cities starting at 7 p.m. Watch here for the results:
Caroline County, Virginia
Caroline’s Promise Dental ProgramCaroline’s Promise is a nonprofit organization that strives to meet the physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being of the county’s youth. One of the organization’s five pledged promises is to provide a healthy start and future for all Caroline County children, and this promise is the focus of the dental program started in 2003. Like many rural counties, Caroline County has struggled with issues brought about by the shortage of medical professionals in the county and the resulting lack of access to care. In response, the County developed an innovative rural Dental program that has received numerous national awards. A number of things have made this program successful. One is having the dentist located in a modern and permanent surrounding and not a mobile unit, which gives assurance to the children and parents of the quality of care they are receiving. Another is the involvement of the county school system through the school nurses and its transportation system. The success of the program in Caroline County is now looked upon as the model for future programs in the region.
Thirty cities, towns, neighborhoods and communities are vying for recognition as an All-America City tonight at the conference at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel. Each will give a short presentation on three public-private civic projects they undertook before a panel of judges names the best. Tampa is one of the finalists.
The National Civic League ’s 2009 All-America City Awards conference concludes tonight in Tampa. We’ve highlighting one nominated project from each of the 30 competing communities (10 will be named AAC’s). Here is Rowlett, Texas:
Rowlett, Texas
ROCK
Seeing an influx of juvenile offenses in 2003, Rowlett Municipal Judge Belinda Loveland created Reaching Our Community’s Kids (ROCK). ROCK is an after-school mentoring program teaching life skills to at-risk boys and girls, providing them with the training and encouragement necessary to succeed in school and stay out of the juvenile justice system, while advocating the benefits of living substance free. “Our goal each week is to provide students the tools to make healthy choices in their everyday life,” Judge Loveland said. “We are here to support them and counsel them with any problems they encounter along their journey to success.” In Rowlett, community support for ROCK stems from Rowlett Lions Club, Rotary Club, Police Department, Fire Department, School District, business leaders and neighbors all working together to make a difference in the life of a child. ROCK has a direct impact on approximately 150 of Rowlett’s boys and girls annually. But what makes this program so successful is the promise of positive ‘peer pressure’ emulating from the participants into the community as a whole.
Thirty cities, towns, neighborhoods and communities are vying for recognition as an All-America City tonight at the conference at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel. Each will give a short presentation on three public-private civic projects they undertook before a panel of judges names the best. Tampa is one of the finalists.
Tampa’s hometown delegation for the All-America City Awards being hosted at the Marriott Waterside took the stage this morning behind the Middleton High School drum line, providing a blast of energy to an already interesting but lower-key set of community presentations. That’s Mayor Pam Iorio at the center, in a blue suit, after she spent time posing for pictures with former Mayor Sandy Freedman, who led Tampa in 1990 when it was last given the AAC designation.
The group highlighted three civic projects: Improvements in East Tampa, the new 40th Street Bridge and road widening, and a holiday celebration in Sulphur Springs.
Thirty communities are vying for 10 slots to be designated an All-America City. The winners will be announced tomorrow night. CL is staffing today and tomorrow’s presentations, and you can follow on Twitter, either my tweets (@poho) or by following the hashtag #aac on our All-America Tweet Feed.
The National Civic League ’s 2009 All-America City Awards conference starts today in Tampa, and a common theme for cities is revitalizing downtowns. Here is Erie, Penn.’s effort along those lines:
Erie, Pennsylvania
Erie’s Downtown Revitalization MasterplanJust as in many other urban communities in the latter half of the 20th century, residents began moving outside the city limits and into the suburbs. Part of the city’s present day vision is to bring those families and young professionals back downtown by offering new and attractive urban living options. Downtown Erie’s 70-block core has been broken up into phases with different projects designed to fit each area. Some of the projects include streetscaping, façade renovations, and lighting and park improvements. In several other areas, the goal is to provide different levels of housing including market rate housing, low to moderate income housing, and some luxury housing, as well as office space and opportunity for commercial and retail development. The plan calls for approximately $56 million in real estate development, representing 40,000 square feet of commercial development, 143 residential units, parks and street improvements. Presently the Erie Redevelopment Authority and various development partners have approximately $6 million of mixed-use development under construction and another $12 million in projects are planned for construction in the next 6 to 24 months.
Thirty cities, towns, neighborhoods and communities are vying for recognition as an All-America City at the June 16-19 conference at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel. Each will give a short presentation on three public-private civic projects they undertook before a panel of judges names the best. Tampa is one of the finalists.
Former Tampa Mayor Sandy Freedman is the president of the National Civic League this year and a big proponent of these kinds of partnership projects. During her tenure, in 1990, Tampa was named an All-America City. Creative Loafing CEO Ben Eason is also involved, as a member of the Host Committee.
The National Civic League ’s 2009 All-America City Awards conference starts today in Tampa. We’re highlighting one nominated project from each of the 30 competing communities (10 will be named AAC’s). Here is Toledo, Ore.:
In 2005, the City built a state-of-the-art skatepark for the youth of Toledo. Youngsters had lobbied city council for a park, prompting a city councilor to apply to Oregon State Parks for funding. It was built on a lot donated by the city, with an adjacent lot donated by a landowner. The Siletz Tribe also contributed funds to the project. The new facility is located next to an area the city had already developed as a recreational area, with a city park, swimming pool and library nearby. The presence of the skate park has increased use of the adjacent facilities, and it provides a space for youth to gather and recreate. Volunteers help monitor the park, and youth help maintain it. An art project was organized to add interest to the area, and an adjacent business allowed its outside wall to be used for a mural. A volunteer art director helped Toledo elementary students design and complete the mural using donated materials. Landscaping design was donated and volunteers installed the landscaping. The park has earned notice from around the region, and is a destination for skateboarders.
A fundraising check at Toledo’s Skatepark as it raised money to compete for All-America City.
Thirty cities, towns, neighborhoods and communities are vying for recognition as an All-America City at the June 16-19 conference at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel. Each will give a short presentation on three public-private civic projects they undertook before a panel of judges names the best. Tampa is one of the finalists.
Former Tampa Mayor Sandy Freedman is the president of the National Civic League this year and a big proponent of these kinds of partnership projects. During her tenure, in 1990, Tampa was named an All-America City. Creative Loafing CEO Ben Eason is also involved, as a member of the Host Committee.
The National Civic League ’s 2009 All-America City Awards conference starts today in Tampa. We’re highlighting one nominated project from each of the 30 competing cities (10 will be named AAC’s). Here is Wooster, Ohio:
Wooster, Ohio
Knights Field ParkA successful collaboration between government, community organizations, residents, and developers led to the recent transformation of Wooster’s Knights Field Park from a “low use” neighborhood park to one that now attracts children and families from all parts of the city and county. In 2005, the Kiwanis club asked the city’s parks manager for an opportunity to build a new playground at Knights Field. Funding was obtained through the state’s community development block grant program, a design firm was retained, and neighborhood schoolchildren were employed as “design consultants” to assist in the design of the playground. With the Kiwanians providing the labor and city park staff acting as project managers, the playground was built over a two-day period. In addition, a neighborhood improvement association created a butterfly garden, and, in 2007, Knights Field pool was converted to a “sprayground.” The third step in the revitalization of the park was the opening of Kiddie City, a kid-sized community meant for the use of young children operating tricycles, bicycles, big wheels and small electric vehicles. As a consequence of this revitalization effort, park officials have seen a dramatic increase in the usage of Knights Field Park, and the City of Wooster received the 2008 Award of Excellence from the Ohio Parks and Recreation Association.
Thirty cities, towns, neighborhoods and communities are vying for recognition as an All-America City at the June 16-19 conference at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel. Each will give a short presentation on three public-private civic projects they undertook before a panel of judges names the best. Tampa is one of the finalists.
Former Tampa Mayor Sandy Freedman is the president of the National Civic League this year and a big proponent of these kinds of partnership projects. During her tenure, in 1990, Tampa was named an All-America City. Creative Loafing CEO Ben Eason is also involved, as a member of the Host Committee.
The National Civic League ’s 2009 All-America City Awards gets in full swing tomorrow morning in Tampa. We’re highlighting one nominated project from each of the 30 competing cities (10 will be named AAC’s). Here is Cpl. Max Klinger’s favorite city, Toledo, Ohio:
Food needs are rising for many people in the Toledo community due to economic conditions. In an effort to meet this need and make Toledo a more livable community, area leaders and organizations have been exploring how the use of growing systems in urban settings can meet rising local food needs. Experimental efforts have already been underway in the region for the past two years through the production of various community gardens. Toledo GROWs is the community gardening outreach program of Toledo Botanical Garden. Toledo GROWs offers organizational resources and technical assistance to support the development of sustainable garden projects that serve people of diverse ages and abilities. Toledo GROWs has collaborated with dozens of Toledo organizations to create over sixty community gardens throughout the city. In 2008, over two thousand citizens participated in community gardens. These participants received free seeds and free plants as well as educational opportunities. The greenhouses also provide employment to youth in their neighborhoods while eliminating hunger, transforming blighted lots and strengthening communities.
Thirty cities, towns, neighborhoods and communities are vying for recognition as an All-America City at the June 16-19 conference at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel. Each will give a short presentation on three public-private civic projects they undertook before a panel of judges names the best. Tampa is one of the finalists.
Former Tampa Mayor Sandy Freedman is the president of the National Civic League this year and a big proponent of these kinds of partnership projects. During her tenure, in 1990, Tampa was named an All-America City. Creative Loafing CEO Ben Eason is also involved, as a member of the Host Committee.
Photo: City of Somerville/Jonas A. Kahn
The National Civic League ’s 2009 All-America City Awards gets in full swing tomorrow morning in Tampa. We’re highlighting one nominated project from each of the 30 competing cities (10 will be named AAC’s). Here is Somerville, Mass., a Boston suburb:
Somerville, Massachusetts
Improved CommunicationOver the past several years, the City of Somerville has increased its focus on creating a transparent, inclusive form of municipal government for all community members and through a variety of media, to create a more inclusive and responsive community. This idea includes the creation of a government management model that not only tracks administrative trends and constituent requests to increase accountability, but also provides the City’s residents with the opportunity to respond to and provide feedback on City initiatives and the annual budget process, to create an inclusive, transparent form of government. To that end, in 2004, Somerville adopted the CitiStat model of management, dubbed “SomerStat,” which institutes a series of regular forums with all City departments and key decision-makers to identify problems, assess success of service delivery and track constituent concerns, determine opportunities for improvement and, along with the City’s 311 Customer Service Center, provide data on departments’ service demand and delivery, as partially determined by residents. Somerville’s goal is to build and sustain a continuous, positive relationship and ongoing conversation between City government and community members, and all of these tools have increasingly made that goal a reality.
Thirty cities, towns, neighborhoods and communities are vying for recognition as an All-America City at the June 16-19 conference at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel. Each will give a short presentation on three public-private civic projects they undertook before a panel of judges names the best. Tampa is one of the finalists.
Former Tampa Mayor Sandy Freedman is the president of the National Civic League this year and a big proponent of these kinds of partnership projects. During her tenure, in 1990, Tampa was named an All-America City. Creative Loafing CEO Ben Eason is also involved, as a member of the Host Committee.
The National Civic League ’s 2009 All-America City Awards conference is starting to register guests tonight in Tampa. We’re highlighting one nominated project from each of the 30 competing cities (10 will be named AAC’s). Here is Benson, N.C.’s delicious entry:
Benson, North Carolina
The Pound Cake Company
In 2003, Jan Matthews-Hodges won the Blue Ribbon and Best in Show at the North Carolina State Fair for her pound cake, and The Pound Cake Company was born. With the help of a $7,500 Microenterprise Loan from the North Carolina Rural Economic Development Center, Jan started the Pound Cake Company in a small downtown location as a part-time enterprise. In fall 2005, Jan began making plans to expand her business, but she needed a much larger space to do so. While Jan was perfecting her pound cake recipe, the Town of Benson, in October 2004, acquired the dilapidated shell of the old Benson Middle School. The goal in this acquisition was to create a business incubator in hopes of creating new jobs for the Town. The Pound Cake Company was to be the first tenant. Government partnerships and grants led to a full-time business in what used to be the Benson Middle School Cafeteria, employing between 15-20 full-time personnel. The Pound Cake Company now distributes to Lowes Foods, The Fresh Market, A Southern Season Gourmet Market and Whole Foods Market. What started as a part-time bakery has become a full fledged industry that will employ over 40 Benson citizens by the end of 2010.
Thirty cities, towns, neighborhoods and communities are vying for recognition as an All-America City at the June 16-19 conference at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel. Each will give a short presentation on three public-private civic projects they undertook before a panel of judges names the best. Tampa is one of the finalists.
Former Tampa Mayor Sandy Freedman is the president of the National Civic League this year and a big proponent of these kinds of partnership projects. During her tenure, in 1990, Tampa was named an All-America City. Creative Loafing CEO Ben Eason is also involved, as a member of the Host Committee.
Photos: Fifth Street Ministries
The National Civic League starts early registration in Tampa tonight as it gets ready to open the 2009 All-America City Awards conference. We’re highlighting one nominated project from each of the 30 competing cities (10 will be named AAC’s). Here is Statesville, N.C.:
Statesville, North Carolina
Fifth Street MinistriesIn 1990, Fifth Street Ministries began running emergency, winter and battered women’s shelters. In 1991, faced with inadequate space and a deteriorating facility, Fifth Street Ministries moved to a dilapidated and abandoned school. The move allowed the soup kitchen to move into a functioning cafeteria and the expansion of the winter shelter program into a year-round night shelter. In subsequent years, additional services were offered, including a free health and medical center, a children’s program, and a thrift store that provided clothing and employment opportunities for shelter guests. In 2008, Fifth Street Ministries provided 58,247 meals, 11,005 shelter nights in the overnight shelter, 13,335 shelter nights in the emergency shelter, and 7,852 shelter nights in the battered women’s shelter. 350 volunteers donated well over 5,000 volunteer hours to make this possible. The need for Fifth Street Ministries’ services continues to grow and, with the help of community partners, Fifth Street Ministries opened a new facility on December 6, 2008. It has room for overnight guests, a cafeteria, and rooms for counseling, training, education and support groups. The new facility also enables Fifth Street Shelters to offer transitional housing and additional training in a variety of areas.
Thirty cities, towns, neighborhoods and communities are vying for recognition as an All-America City at the June 16-19 conference at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel. Each will give a short presentation on three public-private civic projects they undertook before a panel of judges names the best. Tampa is one of the finalists.
Former Tampa Mayor Sandy Freedman is the president of the National Civic League this year and a big proponent of these kinds of partnership projects. During her tenure, in 1990, Tampa was named an All-America City. Creative Loafing CEO Ben Eason is also involved, as a member of the Host Committee.
Officials with the National Civic League are arriving in Tampa today to begin prepping for the opening of registration on Tuesday night for the 2009 All-America City Awards conference. We’re highlighting one nominated project from each of the 30 competing cities (10 will be named AAC’s). Here is Kinston, N.C.
Kinston, North Carolina
Little-by-Little
In 2007, a local financial institution, the “little bank,” partnered with Partnership for Children along with Lenoir County and Southeast Elementary School to meet the challenge of providing a long-term mentoring program for elementary school children, and the “Little-by-Little” program was born. Each student is partnered with a mentor, or Buddy, from the community that nurtures their education and encourages them to dream big. Every nine weeks, the students are given specific goals in comprehension, behavioral, and accelerated reading. If the students meet their goals, $50 is put aside for the student’s college tuition. Students are also awarded a $50 end of year bonus if all four, nine week goals are met throughout the year. This money will build over time and if students continue to work hard, excel, and meet their goals, they could have up to $3000 to use for college tuition or books. The intention of the program is to work and follow these children until they have finished high school. Other partners in the program include local attorneys, business owners, District Court Judges, Assistant DA, and local churches. Southeast Elementary and its collaborative partners believe that “little-by-little” is a way to provide support and teach children the value of setting and achieving goals both personal and educational.
Thirty cities, towns, neighborhoods and communities are vying for recognition as an All-America City at the June 16-19 conference at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel. Each will give a short presentation on three public-private civic projects they undertook before a panel of judges names the best. Tampa is one of the finalists.
Former Tampa Mayor Sandy Freedman is the president of the National Civic League this year and a big proponent of these kinds of partnership projects. During her tenure, in 1990, Tampa was named an All-America City. Creative Loafing CEO Ben Eason is also involved, as a member of the Host Committee.
Oprah Winfrey last October, admiring a bronze statue of Mattie and his service dog, Micah. Photo: Ed Tenney
By Matt Wiley
CL intern
We continue our look at some of the best projects in the National Civic League’s 2009 All-America City Awards (the conference convenes in Tampa this week) with Rockville, Md.:
Rockville, Maryland
Rockville’s Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park
The Mattie J.T. Stepanek Park is a $4.2 million 26-acre regional park that is accessible to all and honors the life of one of Rockville’s most memorable residents. Mattie J. T. Stepanek was afflicted with a form of muscular dystrophy and died just shy of his 14th birthday. But in his short life, he touched the lives of millions of people through his messages of peace and hope. To further his message, Rockville, along with the state of Maryland, the developer of the King Farm community where the park is located, the community homeowners association and a foundation dedicated to keeping Mattie’s message alive, built the award-winning park. The park includes a life-sized statue of Mattie and his service dog Micah, a “Peace Garden,” lighted playing fields, the city’s first dog park, lighted basketball and tennis courts, playgrounds, a fitness center, picnic area, snack bar, restrooms, lighted pathways, wooded areas, landscaping, open spaces and parking. Stepanek Park includes amenities designed for use by all. There are no steps or rails in the park. The park is fully accessible and meets all ADA requirements, including the playgrounds, picnic tables, paths, fountains, benches and the Bankshot basketball courts.
Thirty cities, towns, neighborhoods and communities are vying for recognition as an All-America City at the June 16-19 conference at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel. Each will give a short presentation on three public-private civic projects they undertook before a panel of judges names the best. Tampa is one of the finalists.
Former Tampa Mayor Sandy Freedman is the president of the National Civic League this year and a big proponent of these kinds of partnership projects. During her tenure, in 1990, Tampa was named an All-America City. Creative Loafing CEO Ben Eason is also involved, as a member of the Host Committee.
By Matt Wiley
CL intern
A cool educational opportunity in our next featured community in the National Civic League’s 2009 All-America City Awards (the conference convenes in Tampa next week), here is Clinton, N.C.:
Clinton, N.C.
Interactive Whiteboards
Clinton City Schools (CCS) has made it a priority to equip schools with engaging technology to prepare students to face the future. An integral part of this endeavor included the goal of outfitting each classroom with an interactive whiteboard (IW). An IW links a computer desktop to the board’s surface to allow: teaching with computer software and internet browsers, manipulation of computer data using finger touch or styli, saving of information created on the IW to a computer, capture of student responses using “Audience Response System,” and interactive learning that totally engages students. In 2006, IWs were placed in five classrooms. One third grade class showed improvement from 61% proficiency on end-of-grade pretests to 90.48% proficiency on end-of-grade tests. The excitement of this technology spurred the community to collaborate with CCS to ensure every classroom within CCS had an IW. Collaborations between CCS, citizens, businesses and nonprofits resulted in a series of projects that enabled IWs to be placed in each CCS classroom.
Thirty cities, towns, neighborhoods and communities are vying for recognition as an All-America City at the June 16-18 conference at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel. Each will give a short presentation on three public-private civic projects they undertook before a panel of judges names the best. Tampa is one of the finalists.
Former Tampa Mayor Sandy Freedman is the president of the National Civic League this year and a big proponent of these kinds of partnership projects. During her tenure, in 1990, Tampa was named an All-America City. Creative Loafing CEO Ben Eason is also involved, as a member of the Host Committee.
Photo: Pocomoke City Volunteer Fire Department
By Matt Wiley
CL intern
The next featured community in the National Civic League’s 2009 All-America City Awards (the conference convenes in Tampa next week) is Pocomoke City, Md.:
Pocomoke City, Maryland
Pocomoke Volunteer Fire Department Fire Station
The Pocomoke Volunteer Fire Department (PVFD) was originally founded in 1888, in 1939, the City obtained funds to build a new fire station designed to house three fire trucks and 30 volunteers. However, by 2002, with 60 members and 8 large trucks, the old fire station had become obsolete. At that point, the PVFD began a six-year collaboration with the community to construct a new fire station. In 2003, a PVFD planning committee investigated various options for a new fire station and, in 2004, the land was purchased. Working from a construction cost estimate of $2.1 million, the committee set a goal of raising $400,000 from residents and businesses, to be matched with grant assistance from the State. Within a few months, the committee had received donations and pledges in excess of their original goal. Volunteers worked with a local architect to complete the design for the new 16,500 square foot station. In March 2008, the PVFD ceremoniously marched down Market Street from their former home to their new $2.1 million fire station, the culmination of a six-year community-wide collaborative effort. The new modern fire station will serve the needs of the community for the next several decades.
Thirty cities, towns, neighborhoods and communities are vying for recognition as an All-America City at the June 16-18 conference at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel. Each will give a short presentation on three public-private civic projects they undertook before a panel of judges names the best. Tampa is one of the finalists.
Former Tampa Mayor Sandy Freedman is the president of the National Civic League this year and a big proponent of these kinds of partnership projects. During her tenure, in 1990, Tampa was named an All-America City. Creative Loafing CEO Ben Eason is also involved, as a member of the Host Committee.
Photo: Belton Parks Department
Cross-posted from the Daily Loaf blog:
By Matt Wiley
CL intern
This afternoon’s featured community in the National Civic League’s 2009 All-America City Awards (the conference convenes in Tampa next week) is Belton, Mo.:
Belton, Missouri
Belton’s Indoor Aquatic CenterThe city of Belton had long needed a swimming pool to replace its aging outdoor facility. The city also knew the community wanted an indoor facility that could be used year-round. Additionally, the Belton School District had sponsored swim teams for more than 20 years, but has never had local facilities at its disposal. The park department and school district began discussions on how they could work together to meet the needs of the community and students. After several meetings, representatives of the Belton School District and the Belton Park Department signed a memorandum of understanding on March 27, 2006, that set the stage for an indoor aquatic center in Belton. The agreement provides the park department with the additional operating revenue it needs to make the indoor facility possible. At the same time, the agreement allows the school district to be a preferred user of the facility. After many years of planning and negotiation, the aquatic center was officially opened on December 29, 2008. This project brought people together to find solutions for both the school district and the community at large.
Thirty cities, towns, neighborhoods and communities are vying for recognition as an All-America City at the June 16-18 conference at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel. Each will give a short presentation on three public-private civic projects they undertook before a panel of judges names the best. Tampa is one of the finalists.
Former Tampa Mayor Sandy Freedman is the president of the National Civic League this year and a big proponent of these kinds of partnership projects. During her tenure, in 1990, Tampa was named an All-America City. Creative Loafing CEO Ben Eason is also involved, as a member of the Host Committee.
Photo: http://www.newnetherland.org/ship.html
This afternoon’s featured community in the National Civic League’s 2009 All-America City Awards (the conference convenes in Tampa next week) is Albany, N.Y.:
Albany, New York
Albany’s “Living History” Project: Half Moon Replica Ship & New Netherland MuseumAs Albany commemorates 2009 as the 400th year since legendary explorer Henry Hudson first sailed to its shores, a floating educational institution, inspired by his voyages, completes its first decade of discovery. The Half Moon, a stunningly accurate replica of Hudson’s ship, is committed not only to preserving an important part of national heritage, but also is dedicated to educating youth by inspiring a love of history and fostering community involvement. Created in 1989 at the Port of Albany’s snowdock, The Half Moon was designed to be a unique method to teach youth in the Capital Region about their state’s rich history and heritage, and, most importantly, about themselves. As part of an annual curriculum for thousands of students, the Half Moon has been an incredible “hands on” sailing history lesson for more than 500 selected local young people since its maiden voyage ten years ago. At least twice every year, twelve middle-schoolers man the ship on a “Voyage of Discovery” from Lower New York Harbor to Albany. Students spanning the entire Capital District are involved, from city and rural school districts with incredibly diverse backgrounds.
Thirty cities, towns, neighborhoods and communities are vying for recognition as an All-America City at the June 16-18 conference at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel. Each will give a short presentation on three public-private civic projects they undertook before a panel of judges names the best. Tampa is one of the finalists.
Former Tampa Mayor Sandy Freedman is the president of the National Civic League this year and a big proponent of these kinds of partnership projects. During her tenure, in 1990, Tampa was named an All-America City. Creative Loafing CEO Ben Eason is also involved, as a member of the Host Committee.
This morning’s project from the nominees inthe 2009 All-America City Awards conference coming to Tampa starting next Wednesday is not an entirely new idea: community visioning. The difference, as our in-depth coverage continues, is that is sounds like Wichita is not letting its vision document sit on a dusty shelf:
Wichita, Kansas
Visioneering Wichita
Visioneering Wichita (VW) is about achieving far-reaching, but attainable goals to make the region an excellent place to live. In 2004, residents from throughout the region gave input on efforts and priority to issues, including creating jobs, increasing per-capita income, ensuring education at every age and various quality of life initiatives. A process was created where the community could reach consensus on major issues of local, regional and statewide importance. Thousands of volunteers and hundreds of organizations worked together to create a long-term plan. Ten community issues were selected for the VW working document, and strategies were set for each goal, with over 500 organizations and community groups attaching themselves to one or more strategies. These vision partners agreed to work together to commit time, staff and resources to making individual strategies reality. Although the accomplishments to date are impressive, it is Visioneering Wichita’s process that is remarkable. Visioneering Wichita is about the gift of collaboration, the realization of a dream and the empowerment of a community.
Thirty cities, towns, neighborhoods and communities are vying for recognition as an All-America City at the June 16-19 conference at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel. Each will give a short presentation on three public-private civic projects they undertook before a panel of judges names the best. Tampa is one of the finalists. CL and this blog will provide live tweeting and blog coverage from the presentations on Thursday and Friday morning.
Former Tampa Mayor Sandy Freedman is the president of the National Civic League this year and a big proponent of these kinds of partnership projects. During her tenure, in 1990, Tampa was named an All-America City. Creative Loafing CEO Ben Eason is also involved, as a member of the Host Committee.
Revitalization is a constant theme in the projects nominated as part of the 2009 All-America City Awards conference coming to Tampa starting next Wednesday.
CL is providing the most in-depth coverage of the civic gathering because a) it’s important to reconnect people with their communities and b) the 30 communities involved in presenting their best public-private partnerships provide Tampa Bay civic activists a great opportunity to “steal” a few good ideas.
This interesting project is from a suburb of Des Moines about how school kids got involved to rehab their local park:
Windsor Heights, Iowa
Colby Park PlaygroundColby Park is the larger of Windsor Heights’ two parks, and it is highly visible from an interstate that traverses the Des Moines metropolitan area. Aging and poorly planned, the park was in need of revitalization, and the City formed an ad hoc committee to create a comprehensive concept for the park. The first, most pressing area was the playground. The Windsor Heights Foundation had set aside money for new playground equipment, and the City partnered with a local school to help design the playground area. As part of a school program that offers ‘real world’ experiences to students, city staff worked with 6th and 7th graders to create a curriculum which would have them develop the architectural plan for the playground. The students created plans that included the recommended location of the equipment, the budget, and safety and accessibility factors. The students made presentations to the Windsor Heights Foundation, and the Foundation was so impressed with the students’ work that they increased the funding for the equipment by nearly 39% in order to achieve the optimal plan. The City Council also committed $100,000 to redeveloping the playground area. The playground was completed in the spring of 2007. The children learned valued life skills and can now play in the park they helped create.
Thirty cities, towns, neighborhoods and communities are vying for recognition as an All-America City at the June 16-19 conference at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel. Each will give a short presentation on three public-private civic projects they undertook before a panel of judges names the best. Tampa is one of the finalists. CL and this blog will provide live tweeting and blog coverage from the presentations on Thursday and Friday morning.
Former Tampa Mayor Sandy Freedman is the president of the National Civic League this year and a big proponent of these kinds of partnership projects. During her tenure, in 1990, Tampa was named an All-America City. Creative Loafing CEO Ben Eason is also involved, as a member of the Host Committee.
(photo: livingdowntowndesmoines.com)
The National Civic League’s 2009 All-America City Awards conference convenes in Tampa next week. Here is a look at one of the nominees that will present their best civic projects, Des Moines, Iowa:
Des Moines, Iowa
Urban Revitalization Core West 18th St. to East 18th St.
Since 2004, downtown Des Moines has gone through a renaissance to become what is now the pièce de résistance of the metropolitan area. This rebirth took place with the outpouring of support from the public and private sectors and community members. The City Council held broad public meetings to solicit a downtown vision and consulted with experts in revitalization to begin our renaissance. The Council created catalysts throughout the downtown to generate future development across the core of our community. The developments are a mix of new and rehabilitated construction which preserves the historical integrity of downtown architecture while promoting opportunities for new infill design. The catalysts involved in downtown revitalization over the last five years have significantly contributed to the rebirth of Des Moines’ urban core. With a minimum of city investment, historical buildings have been preserved, green initiatives implemented, housing stock added, entertainment districts created. Future phases of revitalization are planned and include ways to enhance the connectivity between the western and eastern edges of downtown and expand into residential neighborhoods.
Thirty cities, towns, neighborhoods and communities are vying for recognition as an All-America City at the June 16-18 conference at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel. Each will give a short presentation on three public-private civic projects they undertook before a panel of judges names the best. Tampa is one of the finalists.
Former Tampa Mayor Sandy Freedman is the president of the National Civic League this year and a big proponent of these kinds of partnership projects. During her tenure, in 1990, Tampa was named an All-America City. Creative Loafing CEO Ben Eason is also involved, as a member of the Host Committee.
Third graders at a museum as part of the Reading Academy. (photo: pal-item.com)
The National Civic League’s 2009 All-America City Awards conference convenes in Tampa next week. Here is another look at one of the 30 nominees that will present their best civic projects, Richmond, Ind.:
Richmond, Indiana
The Third Grade Reading AcademyMotivated by the Wayne County Learning Corporation’s Education Summit of October, 2007, the entire community set out to address the 30% high school drop out rate by raising third-grade reading levels. This community explored two approaches: one adult-centered, the other led by youth. Adult-centered response: Two local business people began and, with the help of over two hundred community contributors and volunteers, raised $150,000 and conducted the first Third Grade Reading Academy. During the summer of 2008, a four-week intervention reading program was developed to generate an interest and enthusiasm for reading and to involve key local institutions. Of the 145 eligible students who had not passed their ISTEP (the state’s) Language Arts test, 118 participated and raised their scores by 50%. Youth-centered response: The youth believe that the key to addressing drop outs is to motivate through interactive activities inside and out of school, and cite three efforts. My Will is a weekly group meeting of up to 30 high school girls to address personal problems and support each other. Stage One is Richmond Civic Theatre’s youth theatre involving 250 youth in up to three productions each year. The net benefit is personal development and increased civic/community engagement. Civic Hall is a 936 seat performing arts venue owned and operated by Richmond Community Schools providing “wonderful opportunities for students to perform in a professional setting.”
Former Tampa Mayor Sandy Freedman is the president of the National Civic League this year and a big proponent of these kinds of partnership projects. During her tenure, in 1990, Tampa was named an All-America City. Creative Loafing CEO Ben Eason is also involved, as a member of the Host Committee.
Thirty cities, towns, neighborhoods and communities are vying for recognition as an All-America City at the June 16-18 conference at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel. Each will give a short presentation on three public-private civic projects they undertook before a panel of judges names the best. Tampa is one of the finalists.
Construction at Eddy Street Commons, a mixed-use development that is part of the NNRO project.
This afternoon’s featured community in the National Civic League’s 2009 All-America City Awards (the conference convenes in Tampa next week) is South Bend, Ind.:
South Bend, Indiana
The Northeast Neighborhood Revitalization Organization (NNRO)
Facing dismal retail and housing trends in its Northeast Neighborhood, the City of South Bend brought together neighbors and leaders from the University of Notre Dame along with three key institutions within or on the neighborhood borders: Madison Center, Memorial Hospital of South Bend and Saint Joseph’s Regional Medical Center. They incorporated the NNRO in 2000 as a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit for the neighborhood’s social, physical and economic revitalization. The institutions served as funding partners, committing a collective $1.75 million over the initial five years. This community partnership has resulted in transformed relationships among neighbors, the university, and private and public sectors, as well as in hundreds of millions of dollars of investment in retail, residential, and commercial development.
Thirty cities, towns, neighborhoods and communities are vying for recognition as an All-America City at the June 16-18 conference at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel. Each will give a short presentation on three public-private civic projects they undertook before a panel of judges names the best. Tampa is one of the finalists.
Former Tampa Mayor Sandy Freedman is the president of the National Civic League this year and a big proponent of these kinds of partnership projects. During her tenure, in 1990, Tampa was named an All-America City. Creative Loafing CEO Ben Eason is also involved, as a member of the Host Committee.
The National Civic League’s 2009 All-America City Awards conference convenes in Tampa next week. Here is a look at one of the 30 nominees that will present their best civic projects, Fort Wayne, Ind.:
Fort Wayne, Indiana
The Refugee Resource CenterFrom 1991 to 2008, the number of immigrants and refugees from various parts of the world has grown from 44 to 3,644 an increase of 1274%. The United Way of Allen County held community forums to address the specific services and needs for the refugee community. As a result of this forum, a federal grant was submitted to the Office of Refugee Resettlement for funding by a coalition consisting of several community agencies to develop a refugee resource center that will serve as a one stop location. The coalition received the grant and in November 2008, The Refugee Resource Center was officially opened. The Center provides services and educational classes that help refugees access healthcare, employment, learn English and other skills. Currently, nine agencies provide on-site services, and two organizations provide off-site services as part of a Refugee Resource Coalition. Current coalition partners include: Saint Joseph Community Health Foundation; the Burmese Advocacy Center; the Allen County Lead and Healthy Homes Program; the Reclamation Project; Indiana Family and Social Services Agency; Advantage Health Solutions; Super Shot; East Allen County School Corporation; Neighborhood Christian Legal Services; Catholic Charities; and IVY Tech Community College.
Former Tampa Mayor Sandy Freedman is the president of the National Civic League this year and a big proponent of these kinds of partnership projects. During her tenure, in 1990, Tampa was named an All-America City. Creative Loafing CEO Ben Eason is also involved, as a member of the Host Committee.
Thirty cities, towns, neighborhoods and communities are vying for recognition as an All-America City at the June 16-18 conference at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel. Each will give a short presentation on three public-private civic projects they undertook before a panel of judges names the best. Tampa is one of the finalists.
The National Civic League’s 2009 All-America City Awards conference convenes in Tampa next week, and I’m continuing to post information about the various city projects that are nominated for recognition.
AAC nominee Carbondale, Ill., nominated its neighborhood stabilization program and a job-opportunities Teen Futures program, as well as this arts-related effort:
Carbondale, Illinois
Varsity Center for the ArtsFollowing the closure of the historic Varsity Theater, an open forum was held to bring community members together to discuss its future. Overwhelmingly, community members suggested that the building become a “center for the arts,” and although they worked hard to gain support, the building owner remained skeptical. In 2005, Carbondale’s largest community theater troop, the Jackson Stage Company, lost its home. This, coupled with closure of the Varsity Theater, presented a unique opportunity. The City approached the owners of the Varsity and asked them to donate the building to create the much needed cultural center and a home for The Stage Company. The building owner agreed, and The Stage Company, in partnership with Carbondale Community Arts, began a new campaign to raise funds for the Varsity Center for the Arts. The Stage Company was able to generate the enthusiasm of the local citizens and Carbondale Community Arts helped to anchor the facility as a regional attraction. In October of 2008, the Stage Company held their first performance at the Center and received an amazing response. Through all of the hard work of the community, area organizations and businesses, the Varsity Center for the Arts has put “art in the heart of Carbondale.”
Former Tampa Mayor Sandy Freedman is the president of the National Civic League this year and a big proponent of these kinds of partnership projects. During her tenure, in 1990, Tampa was named an All-America City. Creative Loafing CEO Ben Eason is also involved, as a member of the Host Committee.
Thirty cities, towns, neighborhoods and communities are vying for recognition as an All-America City at the June 16-18 conference at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel. Each will give a short presentation on three public-private civic projects they undertook before a panel of judges names the best. Tampa is one of the finalists.
The EF3 tornado that hit Windsor in May 2008 (photo:examiner.com)
With the National Civic League’s 2009 All-America City Awards conference convening in Tampa in just nine days, I’m posting information about the various city projects that are nominated for recognition.
To recap again, 30 cities, towns, neighborhoods and communities are vying for recognition as an All-America City at the June 16-18 conference at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel. Each will give a short presentation on three public-private civic projects they undertook before a panel of judges names the best. Tampa is one of the finalists.
AAC nominee Windsor, Colo., nominated its Teen Advisory Board and two projects related to a disaster last year, when an EF3 tornado struck the town, killing one and leaving a 35-mile swath of destruction:
Windsor, Colorado
Northern Colorado Tornado Long Term Recovery Team (Individual)
On May 22, 2008, the town of Windsor, Colorado was struck by an EF 3 tornado. Following the initial emergency response, the question was asked: how can the community organize to monitor the recovery process? This sparked the proposal for a long term recovery committee that would include a collaboration of volunteers, nonprofit organizations, government, and the private sector to assist residents as they put their lives back together. The Long Term Recovery Team (LTRT) was formed, with the mission to strengthen area-wide disaster coordination by sharing information, assisting individuals and families that have specific unmet needs, and by providing a coordinated effort to bring available resources together to aid in the recovery of northern Colorado residents affected by the storms. To date, the LTRT has responded in the following ways: four community meetings, two door-to-door formal needs assessments, 603 crisis counseling contacts, 10,691 pieces of informative material distributed, several storm related presentations, several food and holiday food distributions, monitored home rebuilding in hardest hit areas, 65 families mentored through case management, landscaping assistance and projected distribution of over $150,000 in financial assistance.
Former Tampa Mayor Sandy Freedman is the president of the National Civic League this year and a big proponent of these kinds of partnership projects. During her tenure, in 1990, Tampa was named an All-America City. Creative Loafing CEO Ben Eason is also involved, as a member of the Host Committee.
The next city in my series highlighting the great civic works of some U.S. communties in the National Civic League’s 2009 All-America City Awards conference is Rancho Cordova, Calif., a six-year-old city looking for innovative solutions.
Thirty cities, towns, neighborhoods and communities are vying for recognition as an All-America City at the June 16-18 conference at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel. Each will give a short presentation on three public-private civic projects they undertook before a panel of judges names the best. Tampa is one of the finalists.
Rancho Cordova’s three nominated projects all involved public safety, but its most interesting nominee could provide a model of cooperation and savings in a county such as, say, Pinellas, where duplication and excessive cost to maintain dozens of small and large law enforcement agencies can drive taxes up.
Rancho Cordova worked with the local sheriff’s office in this way:
Rancho Cordova, California
Shared Command Model Police AgencyThe Rancho Cordova Police Department (RCPD), in a unique partnership with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department (SSD), has formed the Shared Command Model Police Agency. The Shared Command enables both the RCPD and the SSD to maximize manpower at a reduced cost to both agencies. Some of the benefits include: sharing of specific personnel and resources,
cross response capability for emergency or life threatening calls for service, reduction of operational costs without losing service, and a regional approach to the delivery of law enforcement services. In addition, the shared command reduces the “red tape” approval process commonly required when requesting resources through outside agencies. RCPD and SSD personnel frequently partner together for public/officer safety, public education, and demonstrations. The demonstrations give the community an opportunity to educate themselves about crime prevention, personal safety, and ways to improve the overall quality of life in their neighborhoods and communities. The effectiveness of this structure can be seen in a steadily declining crime rate, even as the population of Rancho Cordova continues to grow.
Former Tampa Mayor Sandy Freedman is the president of the National Civic League this year and a big proponent of these kinds of partnership projects. During her tenure, in 1990, Tampa was named an All-America City. Creative Loafing CEO Ben Eason is also involved, as a member of the Host Committee.
With a little more than a week to go until the National Civic League’s 2009 All-America City Awards conference convenes in Tampa, I’m posting information about the various city projects that are nominated for recognition.
To recap again, 30 cities, towns, neighborhoods and communities are vying for recognition as an All-America City at the June 16-18 conference at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel. Each will give a short presentation on three public-private civic projects they undertook before a panel of judges names the best. Tampa is one of the finalists.
Former Tampa Mayor Sandy Freedman is the president of the National Civic League this year and a big proponent of these kinds of partnership projects. During her tenure, in 1990, Tampa was named an All-America City. Creative Loafing CEO Ben Eason is also involved, as a member of the Host Committee.
AAC nominee Inglewood, Calif., nominated three of its most successful efforts, including an urban retail center that revitalized a dilapidated neighborhood, a neighborhood noise suppression effort to buffer people who live near LAX and this project:
Inglewood, California
Youth Auto Repair Apprenticeship
In a city where employment rates have been historically low, job training programs for Inglewood’s youth addresses an important need and remains essential for Inglewood’s sustained workforce. In 2006, the City of Inglewood and the Los Angeles Opportunity Industrialization Center (LAOIC) launched the Youth Auto Repair Apprenticeship. Since, the city’s Fleet Management and Transit Services have trained more than 120 young students at Inglewood Unified School District and other schools throughout Los Angeles, at no cost to the student. Inglewood and LAOIC partnered with South Bay Workforce Investment Board, South Bay One-Stop Business and Career Centers, County of Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services, the County Department of Public Social Services, and the school district to offer morning maintenance classes for academic credit to 10-15 high school students each semester. LAOIC’s mission is to provide quality training and employment to economically disadvantaged people of all races and backgrounds, enabling them to become self-sufficient.
I was poking around the Internet this morning, reading about last night’s Phish show in Mansfield, MA., when something hit me. The author kept referring to the concert’s venue, The Comcast Center, by its pre-sponsorship name of Great Woods. I started thinking about the big-three Bay area sports venues and their old names, and now I’m thinking about ditching the corporate sponsorship names too. I have my reasons, and they are as follows:
Building: That big stadium with red seats on Dale Mabry where they play football
Corporate sponsorship name: Raymond James Stadium
Old-school handle: Tampa Stadium. OK, technically it’s always been Raymond James Stadium, but it was built next door to, and replaced, Tampa Stadium.
Reason to switch back: It’s The Great Recession folks, and you want some investment bankers slapping their logo feces all over the local altar to the biggest sport in America? (On a personal note: I think Raymond James had a hand in the Loaf 401(k) program last year. Fell free to label me bitter in the comments.) Tampa Stadium is an excellent name, a simple-but-solid description of the place the moniker represents. Tampa Stadium sounds tough. Not to many players want to travel to Tampa Stadium, a blistering sand pit where opposing teams get the life suffocated out of them. Raymond James Stadium, on the other hand, is the type of place that sees cash from the hometown squad’s retirement account vanish quarterly for as long as they’re in the league.
Cross-posted from The Daily Loaf. To read the rest, go to Take back our stadium names: No more St. Pete Times Forum, Raymond James Stadium or Tropicana Field.
With less than two weeks to go until the National Civic League’s 2009 All-America City Awards conference convenes in Tampa, I’m going to begin posting information about the various city projects that are nominated for recognition.
To recap, 30 cities, towns, neighborhoods and communities are vying for recognition as an All-America City at the June 16-18 conference at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel. Each will give a short presentation on three public-private civic projects they undertook before a panel of judges names the best. Tampa is one of the finalists.
Former Tampa Mayor Sandy Freedman is the president of the National Civic League this year and a big proponent of these kinds of partnership projects. During her tenure, in 1990, Tampa was named an All-America City. Creative Loafing CEO Ben Eason is also involved, as a member of the Host Committee.
AAC nominee Fort Smith, Ark., is a city of 80,000+ on the banks of the Arkansas River at the Oklahoma state border. Its three AAC nominees are its successful effort to keep an Air National Guard air wing operating in the region, its selection in 2007 as the new home of the U.S. Marshals Service Museum and its Meals for Kids program, which I’m featuring here in a summary provided by the National Civic League:
Fort Smith, Ark.
Meals for Kids
The Community Services Clearinghouse (CSC) is an organization that serves as an information-sharing agency and works with area churches, civic groups and community agencies to connect with real people with needs. In its Meals for Kids program, CSC feeds more than 2,400 public school students across the region each Friday, by filling backpacks with nutritional meals and sending students home with nonperishable foods for the weekend. No applications are required. Any student is eligible for the program – based on a recommendation from a child’s school. Professional nutritionists assist with the selection of foods to be placed in each child’s backpack on Fridays. Typical meals include juice, cereal, pudding, fruit cups, and some source of protein. The Greater Fort Smith region truly believes “No child should ever go hungry,” and volunteer organizations not only write checks to fund the weekly program, some groups also help assemble the backpacks each week.
Photo: Fort Smith Times Record Online.
With less than two weeks to go until the National Civic League’s 2009 All-America City Awards conference convenes in Tampa, I’m going to begin posting information about the various city projects that are nominated for recognition.
The reason? No. 1, because I am a civics geek. I believe that not only should communities work together to improve themselves but that citizens have a moral responsibility to be part of that process. No. 2, Tampa Bay civic activists can learn a lot from how 30 other cities are doing it, stealing a few good ideas along the way that we can use here at home.
And No. 3, Tampa is a finalist.
To recap, 30 cities, towns, neighborhoods and communities are vying for recognition as an All-America City at the June 16-18 conference at the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel. Each will give a short presentation on three public-private civic projects they undertook before a panel of judges names the best.
One of the finalists is Phoenix, Ariz., which submitted three projects: its Urban Higher Education effort, its parks and land preservation program and its pro-teen library initiative.
I’m going to focus on the Urban Higher Ed project, as that seems to hold lessons for Tampa Bay. From the National Civicl League’s summary of the project:
Phoenix, Arizona
Urban Higher Education
Life-altering drug discoveries, collaboration between high school students and international bioscience leaders, and a new, vibrant, urban university campus are among the results of Phoenix’s decision to build the future. The impact of the community’s nearly half-billion dollar investment in urban education can be measured by research partnerships, student success, a downtown renaissance, and a steady flow of creative ideas resulting in economic activity exceeding $4 billion. Funding came from the city’s 2006 Citizens Bond Program, organized by more than 700 residents and supported overwhelmingly by voters. The result? Two academic campuses, the Phoenix Biomedical Campus and the new ASU Downtown Phoenix campus, are blossoming in downtown Phoenix, where previously educational opportunities were limited. The community’s investment and partnerships for research and education eventually will create 26,000 jobs, educate 18,000 students and spur an economic impact of $2.6 billion annually.
Yes, my droogies, there was a time when having civic pride in Tampa Bay meant a whole lot. When we were innocent enough to care that Tampa was awarded the “All America City” designation. When the meaning of civic involvement was broader than just whining on a blog about local government.
That time was 1990, to be precise.
Now, less than two decades later, civic involvement and (more importantly) the idea of learning more about civic involvement seems nowhere. Sure, you hear a proposal from a politician every once in a while for more civic engagement between the people and their government (such as St. Pete mayoral hopeful Bill Foster’s call for more business and civic groups to adopt maintenance in parks or requiring that neigborhood associations put in service hours in exchange for city grants).
For local elected officials, the repository of knowledge about improving your community’s civic health and democracy was the All America City awards’ custodian, the National Civic League (on Facebook, as well). The NCL was founded in 1894 by my fave president, Teddy Roosevelt, and other Progressives of that era.
The chairwoman of the National Civic League this year is former Tampa Mayor Sandy Freedman, who was mayor of Tampa in 1990 when the city won its designation. “Civic democracy is what I call it,” Freedman said over coffee in a South Tampa shop recently. And the National Civic League is bringing its annual community awards conference to the Tampa Marriott Waterside Hotel and Marina June 17 -19.
So why has there been so little said or written about this killer opportunity for local civic activists and politicians to attend and not only get some good training but hear some ideas that worked in other communities. Ideas we can steal.
