A quick-build demonstration project is a temporary installation to test new street designs, improve safety and accessibility, and build partnerships for long-term change. These projects can use a variety of materials, from traffic cones to paint, and can last for just a few months to years. 

SGA has supported cities and towns across the U.S. in designing, installing, and measuring the impact of quick-build projects. These projects have included addressing safety issues on local roads, building partnerships between cities and state departments of transportation, and repairing the harms of urban renewal on neighborhoods. 

Though we will aim for the 50,000-500,000 population range, we will consider communities close to that population size. Please reach out if you’d like to discuss your specific circumstance.

Projects on state-owned roads are not eligible for this program.

One of the co-leads must represent the jurisdiction with ownership over the project roadway, so an MPO is not eligible to take the lead for this program. MPO staff can participate as part of the team.

An existing coalition could be a great fit for the project team. Just make sure one co-lead represents the jurisdiction that owns the roadway and the other co-lead represents the affected neighborhood/community.

The city co-lead will need to be a part of the city staff that is able to initiate a quick-build demonstration on the proposed roadway. For example, this could be someone with a department of transportation or public works, a city engineer or manager, or someone else able to help navigate and secure approval for the installation. A chamber could function as part of the larger project team, but does not have the range of influence we are looking for in a co-lead.

SGA will provide virtual trainings, an in-person workshop, and individual coaching to each team. The technical expert can provide concept drawings of demonstration projects, collaborative brainstorming for project design, inspiration for materials, and other lessons from prior quick-build experience. The technical expert will be funded through SGA, participating communities will not receive funds directly to support the technical expertise.

It will depend on the project scale. We’ve seen cities both complete their projects with just grant funds, as in Maryland, and pursue larger projects with additional funding from other sources, like Winchester and Bowling Green, KY. In Kentucky, this additional use of funds included conducting permanent work on the project site through the city’s regular operations and moving the timeline to align with the demonstration project, as well as sparking the city to install permanent improvements on the project site.