Local Sustainable Design and Development Workshop
The City of Asheboro, in partnership with the Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation (PART) and the Piedmont Triad Regional Council (PTRC) is hosting a workshop to explore issues and develop strategies for the economic revitalization of communities throughout our region. In conjunction with the on-going Piedmont Triad Sustainable Communities Planning Project, this initial Design & Development Workshop will serve as a model for helping citizens and community leaders in the Piedmont Triad to identify reinvestment priorities within existing town centers. By making strategic investments in places where infrastructure and community amenities already exist, municipalities can reduce the cost of serving new growth while reusing and revitalizing existing downtown areas and surrounding neighborhoods.
Following the Asheboro event, opportunities will be provided for other communities in the region to host a similar design and development workshop. So to get a glimpse at what is to come join us on May 22 from 5:30 to 7:00 pm at the Sunset Theater in Asheboro to see and hear a summary of the Workshop Process and Results. This opportunity is provided especially for representatives from other communities in the region to learn about the process and to consider duplicating in their own downtown.
Click here to view the Design Workshop invitation.
Livable Communities Photo Contest!
The contest closed on May 4th.
Twenty-two people shared their vision of Sustainability in the Piedmont Triad. Over 50 photos were submitted!
The contest winners will be announced on May 24th at 7:00PM at the Proximity Hotel.
If you would like to attend the awards ceremony click here to register.
New to the Triad: Interactive Virtual “Town Hall” Website 
The Piedmont Triad Sustainable Communities Project is pleased to sponsor PiedmontVoice.org, a virtual “town hall” website dedicated to soliciting ideas and feedback from residents about a broad variety of interesting and engaging community issues. This new public engagement platform allows a more diverse audience of participants that might not be able to attend conventional public meetings.
PiedmontVoice.org is a creative and convenient way to share ideas, provide feedback, and make recommendations about the strengths and challenges of this region.
If you don’t have access to the internet, call (336) 939-6151 and add your comments to the conversation!
Sign up at PiedmontVoice.org and join the discussion!
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Civic Forums Huge Success
248 people attended the 13 civic forums held across the region. Over 200 ideas were generated focusing on the strengths and challenges within the region. Results of the civic forums can be found at PiedmontVoice.org. Visit the site and add to the conversation! Over the next 2 months the project team will be analyzing the results from the forums and developing a strategy for phase 2 of the project. The results of the civic forum analysis should be available by the end of April. The results will be used to develop a regional vision. Stay tuned for the next round of civic forums and a possible region-wide meeting this fall.
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JOBS – HOUSING – TRANSPORTATION
100,000+ jobs lost in the Piedmont Triad over the last several decades. The new economy requires a different strategy that focuses on Innovation – Design – Production and creating vibrant, livable communities.
Piedmont Triad residents spend an average of 58% their family income on housing and transportation. This is primarily due to the disconnect between location of housing and jobs.
Everyday 33% of Piedmont Triad commuters leave their county and go to another county to their job. 95% of all commuters do so by a single mode of travel, their car. Without choices we lose our freedom. Without being able to access educational and job opportunities our economy suffers. Without being able to walk or bike as we shop, recreate or attend cultural events our health suffers.
This project provides the Piedmont Triad with the opportunity to grow and prosper over the next two decades, if we act locally and think regionally. Planning is about looking several years into the future and making decisions today that produce results 10 to 20 years from now. Creating a sustainable region means tying each unique community and its assets together with a regional vision centered on Jobs, Housing and Transportation. It’s that simple. How we get there, is up to ALL of us!
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Our Community, Real People, New Choices, Get Involved!
Several organizations in the Piedmont Triad have embarked on a cooperative effort designed to promote livable communities resulting in a sustainable future. The Piedmont Triad Sustainable Communities Planning Project will be a 3-year process and we want you to get involved! A main focus of this project is to help create and sustain jobs and investment throughout the region, as well as promoting housing affordability and a sustainable environment. The 12-county regional plan will promote sustainable communities, highlighting the great things already happening in our region and helping communities develop or implement plans to grow or revitalize.
To date 35 organizations, agencies and local governments have pledged support and are active participants in the planning process. The Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation (PART) and the Piedmont Triad Regional Council are the lead agencies. The project is made possible thought a grant from the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.
The project kick-off event was held on May 3rd. You can watch a video summary of the kick-off event by clicking here. We would like to invite you to participate in this vital project!
Ways to get involved:
- Familiarize yourself with the project website;
- Join a Work Group;
- Sign-up for the E-mail list;
- Find us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn; and
- Catch the project in motion on YouTube.
A specific focus of the project through the end of the year is the recruitment of Work Group participants. These groups will be working for at least a year and have important input into the regional vision, growth scenario, and recommendations being developed in the Plan. You can sign up by visiting the Work Group page or send an email to info@triadsustainability.org.
In order to have a strong and realistic plan, input is needed from all segments of our community including business, general public, education, health, and those interested in sustainability.
For more information feel free to call (336)662-0002 or email info@triadsustainability.org.
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Sustainability Planning Project Consortium Kick-Off Meeting
The Consortium Kick-Off Meeting was held on Monday, May 3rd at the Deep River Event Center in Greensboro. This was the first gathering of the project consortium and its new partners. Attendees learned the project details; hear from representatives of US Department of Housing and Urban Development, and about sustainable efforts currently taking place in the Piedmont Triad. Attendees were also able to get involved in one of the project’s work groups!
Click here to view the agenda, presentations, and other items
Click here to view photos from the Kick-Off Event
Click here to view the video of the Kick-Off Event
Piedmont Triad Livability Tour
A tour that took place after the Sustainability Kick-Off Event on May 3rd that showcased a sampling of sustainable, livable projects already taking place in the Piedmont Triad! The tour started off in Lexington, traveled to Winston-Salem and ended in Mount Airy.