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News and Updates
April 5, 2013
TOGETHER NORTH JERSEY
Project Updates and Events
Crime Prevention through Environmental Design Workshop
Registration is now open for this event! Together North Jersey is co-sponsoring a two-day workshop, Abandoned and Foreclosed Property Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), on April 16th and 17th from 9am-5pm at Passaic County Community College. Learn how to assess conditions in your neighborhood and apply practical strategies to improve your community. To learn more and register, view the event flyer.
Public Workshops - New Dates Just Added!
TOGETHER NORTH JERSEY and NJTPA have recently scheduled additional workshops as part of our Discovery Phase outreach effort. . These workshops give residents and stakeholder the opportunity to share what is important about planning for the future of our region. Please continue to support this initiative helping us spread to word to your constituents and residents! Download flyers and information at the links below and help us get the word out:
More workshops will be scheduled in May and possibly June. Click here to stay updated and learn more about the workshops and their format.
Download the flyer will all upcoming April workshops
Past Event Spotlight
Health in all Policies Workshop
On March 18, Together North Jersey, the regional sustainable planning initiative funded by a grant from the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development, co-hosted a day-long workshop to introduce the concept of Health in All Policies. Health in All Policies is an approach to policy development that builds consideration of public health impacts into decision-making in a wide range of “non-health†policy areas such as transportation, housing, environment, energy and economic development. It argues that the choices made by non-health decision-makers, whether at the state or local level, within the public or private sector, have tangible impacts on the health of citizens. Read more about the event at www.njfuture.org.
Other Events
April 16: Northern New Jersey Sustainable Resources and Networking Forum
Sustainable Jersey is partnering with the Sparta Green Team to present local resources that will help you save energy and money while gaining new connections! This free forum will include speakers, a resource fair and networking opportunities. Register here
For more information visit www.sustainablejersey.com or email info@sustainablejersey.com
April 19: RPA’s 23rd annual Assembly,
“A Resilient Region,†will examine the pressing problems of climate change, declining economic opportunity and fiscal uncertainty in the public sector and shed light on the best strategies to overcome them and ensure the region’s continued success. April 19, 2013 Waldorf-Astoria, New York 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM followed by a reception. To register http://www.rpa.org/assembly/2013/
April 30, 2013 PlanSmart NJ's NJ Regional Planning Summit: “Investing for the New Normalâ€
Increasing natural disasters have caused unprecedented flooding in parts of NJ, resulted in widespread power outages, and damaged our transportation infrastructure. As immediate crisis management of the most recent storm gives way to longer term recovery planning, what should we as a State be considering for redevelopment and disaster preparedness? What role does land use planning and infrastructure investment play in our decisions about how and where to rebuild and how to prioritize upgrading our damaged and aging infrastructure to stimulate a robust economy and protect our natural resources? The Summit will present a balanced approach to these issues, considering everything from economic growth to environmental protection. Through a range of speakers, it will include intermediate and long-term perspectives on the challenges ahead. The Summit will be organized around two themes: 1) Community rebuilding; and 2) Infrastructure Investment www.plansmartnj.org/2013summit
May 14: Wells Fargo Regional Foundation "Introduction to Neighborhood Planning" Workshop
Have you been trying to organize residents towards one common vision for your neighborhood? Is your neighborhood considering creating a neighborhood revitalization plan? Are you considering applying for a Wells Fargo Regional Foundation planning grant? The workshop is open to the public and will cover topics such as what to do before you plan, choosing the right consultants, key elements to the planning process, and getting from planning to implementation. Details are as follows:
Date: Tuesday, May 14th
Time: 9:00 am – 1:00pm
Location: Philadelphia, PA
If you or someone you know are interested in attending, please contact Denise Motley at Denise.motley@wellsfargo.com to be placed on the registration list receive exact location details. Space is limited.
May 16: Downtown New Jersey Annual Conference
This year's conference will focus on recovery, revitalization and redevelopment. There will be two panel discussions: one on resilient downtowns recovering from disaster and planning for future disasters, and one on downtown revitalization. The event will be held at The Avenue in Long Branch, NJ from 8:00am - 1:30pm. For exhibitor or sponsor information call 888-228-8116 or email info@downtownnj.com.
Download the registration form
May 22: The New Jersey Climate Adaptation Alliance Statewide Conference, Climate Change Preparedness in New Jersey: Leading Practices and Policy Priorities
The day will include a mix of speakers from across the US, highlighting leading practices and trends, and New Jersey practitioners outlining ongoing activities and future needs. The event will be held at the Cook Campus Center at Rutgers, New Brunswick. For more information and to register, visit: http://climatechange.rutgers.edu/may2013conf.html
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Learning Opportunities and Resources
Make it in America Challenge:
The Obama Administration announced this week a new funding opportunity to encourage businesses to bring production and jobs back to the U.S. Up to 15 awards will be made to accelerate job creation by encouraging re-shoring of productive activity by U.S. firms, encouraging U.S. companies to keep or expand job opportunities at home, and train local workers to meet business needs. Click here for more information on the Make it in American Challenge; applications are due by May 31, 2013.
April 17: HUD & EPA Webinar on Cargo-Oriented Development
Over the last decade & a half, rising energy prices and globalization have spurred renewed investment in multimodal transportation, breathed new life into railroads & waterways, and given rise to new land use patterns. One result has been cargo-oriented development (COD), an innovative transportation & land use planning concept that integrates freight, economic development, workforce development, & environmental programs in existing communities. Contact bsadler@reconnectingamerica.org with any questions. Register here
PROPOSALS DUE April 11: USDA Request for Proposals--Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Other Green Environments: Understanding Human and Community Benefits and Mechanisms This multi-state research project sponsored by USDA will provide up to $5.0 million over five years to a variety of projects related to green environments and human and community benefits.
April 12, 2013, DOWNTOWN NEW JERSEY FREE PROGRAM: "The Downtown Business Recruitment Toolkit"
Downtown New Jersey will be welcoming Joe Getz, Principal, JGSC Group to their April 12, 2013 meeting held at Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith and Davis, Metro Corporate Campus 1,99 Wood Street, Iselin, New Jersey 08830-2712– 4th Floor, 10 am.
Mr. Getz will provide information to Downtown New Jersey members, downtown managers, chambers of commerce and municipal leaders on how to recruit new stores and restaurants to their downtowns. Mr. Getz, noted, “Across New Jersey, and the country, communities are struggling to recruit new stores and restaurants to their downtown. Among the most common challenges to recruitment are identifying appropriate prospects and producing marketing materials to reach them. We will be addressing these issues at the DNJ meeting.†This special event is free and open to the public. An RSVP is required. Contact: Dawn McDonough, Downtown NJ: info@downtownNJ.com or 888-228-8116.
April 12: Community Insights Recruitment Toolkit: An Effective and Inexpensive way to Recruit Stores, Restaurants, and Developers Presented by Downtown New Jersey, hear from Joe Getz, principal of the JGSC Group. The event will take place at Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith and Davis, Metro Corporate Campus 1, 99 Wood Street, 4th floor, Iselin, NJ 08830 from 10:00am - 11:00am. RSVP to info@downtownnj.com.
April 16: Business Continuity: How to Save Your Company After Disaster Strikes Hosted by Passaic County, the New Jersey Small Business Development Centers and William Paterson University, this seminar will provide information on how to save our company after disaster strikes. RSVP to the Passaic County Department of Economic Development: 973-569-4720 or ecodev@passaiccountynj.org. View the event flyer
DEADLINE April 24: USDA Farm to School Grant Program is Accepting Applications to assist implementation of programs that improve access to local foods in eligible school. For more information visit the funding synopsis.
PROPOSALS DUE May 1: Henry A. Jordan M.D. Preservation Excellence Fund The fund provides grants for projects that revitalize the livability of the nation's communities. Eligible projects include those that facilitate positive dialogues between the diverse interests of historic preservation, land conservation, business development, transportation, and government. Grants range from $2,500 to $10,000 and require a dollar-for-dollar match.
PROPOSALS DUE May 5: Hart Family Fund for Small Towns Grants are intended to encourage preservation at the local level by providing seed money for preservation projects in small towns. Only proposals from towns with populations of 5,000 or less are considered under this fund.
PROPOSALS DUE May 24: Bikes Belong Community Partnership Grants The Bikes Belong Coalition welcomes grant applications from organizations and agencies within the United States that are committed to putting more people on bicycles more often. Fundable projects include paved bike paths, bike lanes, and rail-to-trails, as well as large-scale bicycle advocacy initiatives.
DEADLINE June 16: Sustainable Jersey Certification View the certification timeline and information on the complete process. Need help getting started? Planning for Recertification Webinars will be held on March 19 and March 21, and Planning for Certification Webinars will be held on March 18 and March 20. For more information visit www.sustainablejersey.com, email info@sustainablejersey.com or call (609) 771 - 2938.
Other News
Proximity to Public Transit Boosts Home Values
According to a new study from the Center for Neighborhood Technology, property values for homes located near public transportation weathered the housing bust much better than homes without easy access. The study found that residential property values performed 42 percent better on average if they were located within a half-mile of public transportation with high-frequency service — called the "public transit shed" — underscoring that homes closer to public transportation hold their value better.
Bike Commuting Improves Health
Biking for transportation appears more helpful in losing weight and promoting health than working out at the gym. According to a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, "Commuting is a relevant health behavior even for those who are sufficiently active in their leisure time." The study found that people commuting to work by car gained more weight on average, even if they engaged in regular exercise, than people who did not commute by car. Sixty to ninety minutes of daily physical activity are recommended to curb obesity, which is more time than most people can fit into their busy schedules. That's why the study's authors recommend "active transport," such as bike commuting, to add extra exercise to daily schedules.
Illinois || Farmers for Chicago Program
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Growing Power, a local urban agriculture organization, recently announced the launch of Farmers for Chicago, a new program that will make available up to five acres of city-owned vacant lots for urban farming activity, and help expand the supply chain for local neighborhood-level food production and wholesale. The city lots will be prepared for local nonprofits that will be able to install food growing equipment. "Once made available, these vacant lots will help stabilize communities by bringing productive activity to areas that need it around food deserts," said Mayor Emanuel. "Farmers for Chicago will give local residents a chance to not only learn how to grow food in their communities, but also build their own food enterprise."
Missouri || Kansas City Kick-Starts Green Infrastructure Plan
City officials in Kansas City recently announced that they have completed an $80 million green infrastructure investment, which includes new rain gardens, curb extensions, and other green solutions. But the green infrastructure completed so far is just a start. Over the next two decades, Kansas City plans to spend nearly $4.5 billion to implement its sewer overflow control plan, the largest capital project in the city's history.
Job Openings
Executive Director - Belmar Business Partnership The non-profit District Management Corporation for the Belmar Special Improvement District is seeking to fill the position of part-time (9-15 hours/week) Executive Director. Details regarding the Belmar Business Partnership may be found at http://belmarbusinesspartnership.com and a description of the position may be found at http://belmarbusinesspartnership.com/ed-search.
Positions with the Federal Disaster Recovery Coordination Group are available in conjunction with Sandy recovery. Positions include: Architect, Community Capacity Building, Community Planner and Engineer. View the employment flyer for more information.
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