"Connected Tampa" PUBLIC WKSHPS 11/12-14
Dena Gross Leavengood
Creating a "Connected Tampa"
SDAT Team Public Meeting & Reception
INITIAL FINDINGS
Friday, November 14
4:30PM-700PM
Cohen Hall, Chester H Ferguson Law Center
NEWS RELEASE
Contact:
Ashly Anderson, SDAT Media Coordinator
The Urban Charrette
Phone: 239.823.1645
Website: www.sdattampa.com
E-mail: sdat...@gmail.com
November 4, 2008
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Creating a "Connected Tampa"
Made possible by a grant from the American Institute of Architects - a team of volunteer professionals with a range of expertise will collaborate with Tampa community leaders on how to design more sustainable and connected neighborhoods.
On November 12 – 14, a team of diverse professionals, including architects, urban planners, a community development specialist and an arts and culture expert will be visiting Tampa and holding meetings with local officials, neighborhood representatives, and other stakeholders. The goal is to collect input and develop recommendations on how to create a better neighborhood planning framework that will empower citizens in the process.
Tampa’s Urban Charrette, in collaboration with the City of Tampa, Hillsborough County City-County Planning Commission and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Tampa Bay chapter, received a grant from AIA Communities by Design for the Sustainable Design Assessment Team (SDAT) program. The SDAT is a community assistance program that brings a team of volunteer professionals to selected cities to work with community decision-makers and stakeholders, with a focus on sustainability - as defined by a community's ability to meet the needs of today without reducing the ability of future generations to meet theirs.
The Tampa SDAT - Connecting Tampa, will focus on improving the neighborhood planning process. To be successful this process must have public participation and event organizers strongly encourage all individuals interested to become involved by attending the public meetings during the November visit. The SDAT team will hold a public workshop on November 12 from 630PM-830PM at the Hillsborough County Bar Association – Chester H Ferguson Law Center (1610 N. Tampa Street Tampa, FL 33602) to collect input. "We believe that the SDAT process will encourage the citizens of Tampa to continue the discussion on sustainability and livability that began with the new Tampa Comprehensive Plan, and will compliment those efforts," says Evan Johnson, Project Coordinator with The Urban Charrette.
Over the three-day event at the Bar Association offices, the SDAT team will meet with neighborhood leaders, environmentalists, city officials, transportation leaders and other stakeholders. A November 14th public meeting and reception (4:30PM-700PM) will then be held in the Center's Cohen Hall to present their initial findings.
"We titled it Connecting Tampa because we believe that this issue is the missing link to a sustainable Tampa," says Taryn Sabia, Co-Founder of The Urban Charrette. "More than the physical roads and buildings that surround us, Connections are the resources, networks and local businesses that help Tampa develop a sense of place and identity. We are thrilled to have this opportunity, and work together with national and local experts to resolve this missing link."
"The assessment and report is bringing substantial expertise and resources to our community," says Adam Fritz, Co-Founder of The Urban Charrette. "Between the grant and donations, it will not cost the tax-payers anything." "It's a unique opportunity for The Urban Charrette as an organization and for the city as a whole to try a different approach to develop holistic solutions," adds Johnson.
For more information about Connecting Tampa, including dates and times of the public events, please visit www.sdattampa.com
Press opportunities include the Kick off Forum on Wednesday the 14th (630pm-830pm), and the Final Presentation/reception (430-700pm) on Friday November 14th.
For a list of the November 12-14 event schedule and for press interviews contact Ashly Anderson, SDAT Media Coordinator at sdat...@gmail.com or 239.823.1645.