TOD SYMPOSIUM TO FEATURE NATIONAL, LOCAL EXPERTS

News Release from City and County of Honolulu

Mayor Kirk Caldwell and the Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) will host a free public event featuring local and national experts on transit-oriented development (TOD) on Saturday, November 16, 2013, at the Neal Blaisdell Center.

“Making TOD Happen” is set for 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. in the Pikake Room. A light lunch will be provided to participants who register in advance. The deadline to register is November 7.

“Creating neighborhoods enhanced by intermodal transportation, such as rail stations, bus stops, bike paths, and safe sidewalks and medians, is vital to creating thriving communities,” said Mayor Kirk Caldwell.  “This symposium will bring together experts in the field, business leaders, and residents to create neighborhoods that everyone will want to visit and live in.”

Experts from across the country will join the event to share the successful experiences of other cities. They include: Danny Pleasant, Transportation Director for the City of Charlotte, N.C.; Robin Hacke, Director of Capital Innovation at Living Cities; and Drusilla van Hengel, Planning Director at Alta Planning + Design. Together with local experts they will “talk story” on how to move forward with TOD zoning, affordable and middle-class housing, Complete Streets and park improvements, public financing, and more.

Harrison Rue, Community Building and TOD Administrator, and Cabinet members will present the city’s TOD implementation strategy and solicit feedback on potential catalytic projects for Honolulu’s TOD program. The afternoon session will feature fun and interactive activities to help generate design ideas and priority projects and demonstrate how public spaces can be transformed with new activities and amenities.

For information and to sign up for the event, see www.todhonolulu.org, or call 768-8050.

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