The plan will address the critical need for long-term comprehensive land use planning in the region and demonstrate a citizen-based process. FfOR looks forward to being involved, and as planning gets going we'll keep you in-the-loop about meetings and chances to participate and share your ideas.
Here's information from the HUD website about the Grant:
- Shelby County Government will be awarded $2,619,999 to develop a Mid-South Regional Greenprint and Sustainability Plan. The development plan will address the critical need for initiating long-term comprehensive land use planning in the region. Effective community engagement and capacity building are critical to the process and the project proposes to demonstrate a citizen-based regional planning process, driven by a consortium working in partnership with governmental bodies and the private sector to establish a regional vision and structure for ongoing engagement and setting goals for the major focus areas of the working groups. Once a vision has been developed and working groups have established goals and priorities, the project will advance to funding sub-area or topic-focused plans or pilot planning efforts from the regional to the neighborhood level. Implementation of these sub-plans is expected to occur through adoption of formal policy recommendations, citizen advocacy and re-alignment of budgets, capital improvement plans and investments/staffing.
Anticipated Project Benefits:
• Increased participation and decision by traditionally marginalized populations as well as increase in access to greenways, bikeways and other modes of alternative transportation including low-income and minority neighborhoods.
• Reduced social and economic disparities for disadvantaged populations in the target subareas, including gradual reduction in poverty levels and a measurable increase in essential goods and services in low-income neighborhoods.
• Increase in affordable housing located close to walking trails, parks, and schools and improved public health outcomes resulting from creating safer, more walkable neighborhoods.
Funding Amount: $2,619,999
Core Partners: The West Memphis MPO, The Mid-South Regional Greenways Steering Committee, ULI-Memphis, The Hyde Family Foundation, Memphis Regional Design Center, Community Development Council of Greater Memphis, Mid-South Peace and Justice Center