2014 February

26 Feb: NEOSCC Board approves and endorses Vibrant NEO 2040 Vision, Framework and Products

Yesterday, the Northeast Ohio Sustainable Communities Consortium voted to approve and endorse the Vibrant NEO 2040 Vision, Framework and Action Products.  This marks the culmination of three years of work since being awarded a $4.25 M grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as part of the new federal Sustainable Communities Initiative. The Sustainable Communities Initiative is an interagency collaboration among HUD, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. In their vote, the NEOSCC Board resolved the following: NEOSCC’s Board of Directors accepts and adopts the Vibrant NEO 2040 Vision, Framework and Action Products as fulfilling the local objectives of the HUD grant award and further endorses for consideration by the region.  It also resolves to make the Vibrant NEO 2040 objectives, recommendations, initiatives development strategies and action products available for use by metropolitan and local decision makers at their option and…

21 Feb: An Initiative A Day 6.3: Promote “Complete Streets” through regional policy and the identification of local champions.

On February 25, the NEOSCC Board will be voting on the the Vibrant NEO 2040 Vision, Framework and Action Products.  Everyday over the next 5 weeks, we will be sharing an “Initiative A Day” so you can gain a better understanding of the vision and framework!  If you would like to read all of the Initiatives, you can download them here: Recommendation and Initiatives.  You can access a pdf of the entire vision chapter here.  The vision chapter contains all 41 initiatives, development strategies, indicators, and matrices that identify how the recommendations, initiatives and indicators all relate. Show your support for Vibrant NEO 2040 by adding your name to our Champions of Vibrant NEO 2040 list here! Initiative 6.3: Promote “Complete Streets” through regional policy and the identification of local champions. WHAT THIS MEANS: “Complete Streets” refers to the practice of building streets that embrace a full range of mobilities – walking, cycling,…

19 Feb: An Initiative A Day 6.2: Repair existing sidewalks and crosswalks and add new ones as needed wherever a fixed-route bus service is in operation.

On February 25, the NEOSCC Board will be voting on the the Vibrant NEO 2040 Vision, Framework and Action Products.  Everyday over the next 5 weeks, we will be sharing an “Initiative A Day” so you can gain a better understanding of the vision and framework!  If you would like to read all of the Initiatives, you can download them here: Recommendation and Initiatives.  You can access a pdf of the entire vision chapter here.  The vision chapter contains all 41 initiatives, development strategies, indicators, and matrices that identify how the recommendations, initiatives and indicators all relate. Show your support for Vibrant NEO 2040 by adding your name to our Champions of Vibrant NEO 2040 list here! Initiative 6.2: Repair existing sidewalks and crosswalks and add new ones as needed wherever a fixed-route bus service is in operation. WHAT THIS MEANS: It is a truism to state that walkability and walking are…

14 Feb: An Initiative A Day 6.1: Expand the existing bicycle lane and trail system and connect it to regional transit hubs via on-and-off street facilities.

On February 25, the NEOSCC Board will be voting on the the Vibrant NEO 2040 Vision, Framework and Action Products.  Everyday over the next 5 weeks, we will be sharing an “Initiative A Day” so you can gain a better understanding of the vision and framework!  If you would like to read all of the Initiatives, you can download them here: Recommendation and Initiatives Show your support for Vibrant NEO 2040 by adding your name to our Champions of Vibrant NEO 2040 list here! Initiative 6.1: Expand the existing bicycle lane and trail system and connect it to regional transit hubs via on-and-off street facilities.  WHAT THIS MEANS: Existing bicycle route and facility networks may not currently offer the best connections to transit infrastructure. Identifying key opportunities to enhance these system connections—either through on-street bicycle facilities or off-street trails and paths—can define a concise set of system enhancement projects to better tie…

13 Feb: An Initiative A Day 5.4: Evaluate the condition of all existing rail trackage and rail crossings to determine what investments would be necessary to bring substandard infrastructure up to standard for freight and passenger service.

On February 25, the NEOSCC Board will be voting on the the Vibrant NEO 2040 Vision, Framework and Action Products.  Everyday over the next 5 weeks,  we will be sharing an “Initiative A Day” so you can gain a better understanding of the vision and framework!  If you would like to read all of the Initiatives, you can download them here: Recommendation and Initiatives. Show your support for Vibrant NEO 2040 by adding your name to our Champions of Vibrant NEO 2040 list here! Initiative 5.4: Evaluate the condition of all existing rail trackage and rail crossings to determine what investments would be necessary to bring substandard infrastructure up to standard for freight and passenger service. WHAT THIS MEANS: Similar to other proposed asset inventory initiatives (3.1, 3.4), a rail network inventory is a necessary first step to considering regional-scale investments in capacity expansion. This initiative would first involve a survey of the…

12 Feb: An Initiative A Day 5.3: Coordinate the region’s transit systems for joint marketing, information technology, and fare media, including information regarding private transit resources such as university/health system shuttles, private bus services, airport transportation, etc.

 On February 25, the NEOSCC Board will be voting on the the Vibrant NEO 2040 Vision, Framework and Action Products.  Everyday over the next 5 weeks,  we will be sharing an “Initiative A Day” so you can gain a better understanding of the vision and framework!  If you would like to read all of the Initiatives, you can download them here Vibrant NEO Recommendation and Initiatives. Show your support for Vibrant NEO 2040 by adding your name to our Champions of Vibrant NEO 2040 list here! Initiative 5.3: Coordinate the region’s transit systems for joint marketing, information technology, and fare media, including information regarding private transit resources such as university/health system shuttles, private bus services, airport transportation, etc. WHAT THIS MEANS: Transit users want the same ease of planning their travel as a motorist. Regardless of what operator is driving the bus and how many transfers are needed, riders should be able…

11 Feb: An Initiative A Day 5.2: Create a network of high-frequency express and local transit routes connecting the region’s job centers.

On February 25, the NEOSCC Board will be voting on the the Vibrant NEO 2040 Vision, Framework and Action Products.  Everyday over the next 5 weeks,  we will be sharing an “Initiative A Day” so you can gain a better understanding of the vision and framework!  If you would like to read all of the Initiatives, you can download them here Vibrant NEO Recommendation and Initiatives. Show your support for Vibrant NEO 2040 by adding your name to our Champions of Vibrant NEO 2040 list here! Initiative 5.2: Create a network of high-frequency express and local transit routes connecting the region’s job centers. Prioritize infill development in the corridors served by these routes. In the short and medium terms, upgrade high-performing existing bus routes and create new bus routes in designated corridors. In the long term, upgrade the highest-demand routes into commuter rail service. WHAT THIS MEANS: Drawing on the approach of…

07 Feb: An Initiative A Day 5.1: Invest in a regional network of bi-directional public transit connections between Northeast Ohio’s major job centers.

On February 25, the NEOSCC Board will be voting on the the Vibrant NEO 2040 Vision, Framework and Action Products.  Everyday over the next 5 weeks,  we will be sharing an “Initiative A Day” so you can gain a better understanding of the vision and framework!  If you would like to read all of the Initiatives, you can download them here Vibrant NEO Recommendation and Initiatives. Show your support for Vibrant NEO 2040 by adding your name to our Champions of Vibrant NEO 2040 list here! Recommendation 5: Enhance and coordinate the region’s rail and bus services Transit is an important layer of infrastructure and community services throughout the region because it carries a large number of people in a small amount of travel space. This allows dense concentrations of employment—a hallmark of a vibrant economy— accessible to a larger workforce without an accompanying expansion to the road network. In Northeast Ohio,…

06 Feb: An Initiative A Day 4.4: Offer financial literacy and housing education programs for tenants and homeowners.

On February 25, the NEOSCC Board will be voting on the the Vibrant NEO 2040 Vision, Framework and Action Products.  Everyday over the next 5 weeks,  we will be sharing an “Initiative A Day” so you can gain a better understanding of the vision and framework!  If you would like to read all of the Initiatives, you can download them here Vibrant NEO Recommendation and Initiatives. Show your support for Vibrant NEO 2040 by adding your name to our Champions of Vibrant NEO 2040 list here! Initiative 4.4: Offer financial literacy and housing education programs for tenants and homeowners. Focus on areas in established communities where investments in housing are underway. WHAT THIS MEANS:. Financial literacy can be a tremendous barrier to entry into home ownership. Recognizing this fact, national organizations like NeighborWorks have partnered with local governments and philanthropic foundations to research, develop, and implement curricula aimed at building financial literacy…

05 Feb: An Initiative A Day 4.3: Offer financial incentives to developers that incorporate affordable housing units into their projects and implement inclusionary zoning in markets with widespread affordability gaps.

On February 25, the NEOSCC Board will be voting on the the Vibrant NEO 2040 Vision, Framework and Action Products.  Everyday over the next 5 weeks,  we will be sharing an “Initiative A Day” so you can gain a better understanding of the vision and framework!  If you would like to read all of the Initiatives, you can download them here Vibrant NEO Recommendation and Initiatives . Show your support for Vibrant NEO 2040 by adding your name to our Champions of Vibrant NEO 2040 list here! Initiative 4.3: Offer financial incentives to developers that incorporate affordable housing units into their projects and implement inclusionary zoning in markets with widespread affordability gaps. WHAT THIS MEANS. Housing affordability is an issue that every community faces regardless of its location in a region. Age and value of homes, distribution of housing by tenure (e.g. apartments), employment, and income levels are factors in determining affordability….