Month: May 2013

Crowdfunding gives citizens a platform to say what they want in their neighborhoods

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St. Claude Ave
Residents in New Orleans are encouraged to think creatively about St. Claude Avenue. The result? More trees along the street. Photo by St. Claude Main Street via Facebook.

If it was easier for citizens to create the neighborhood spaces they want most, what would they choose?

Crowdfunding of public assets gives us a hint. Independent films, art projects and small companies have all used crowdfunding to get off the ground and now residents are using the strategy to create the public spaces they want to see.

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Creating streets that work for everyone in Montevallo, AL

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Montevallo, AL
On the campus of Montevallo, AL. Photo by Larry Miller, via Flickr.

This is a guest post written by Ryan Parker, of our coalition partner Conservation Alabama.

Montevallo, AL is preserving its unique blend of college culture and country charm by making intentional decisions about expansion and development.

The small town of 6,000 residents in the heart of Alabama has a vibrant downtown, a Greenway National Recreational Trail, three beautiful parks, an art gallery, and Alabama’s only public liberal arts college, the University of Montevallo.

Over the last several years the City and the University have worked together on projects to make downtown Montevallo an even better place to live and work. “The very best colleges in the country, most of them have lively, attractive downtowns,” said John Stewart III, president of the University of Montevallo. “We literally want Main Street and the campus to blend into one plan.”

Complete Streets