CRT April/ May 2007 Newsletter Dear ,   WHAT'S NEW WITH CRT:   Our Region's First QUALITY GROWTH TOOLBOX PILOT PROJECT is up and running in Robertson County!      It's an exciting Spring for CRT as we begin delivery of services through our Quality Growth Toolbox Series. Robertson County is our region's first pilot community and we coordinated two major events there in April of 2007! Here are some highlights... Our region's first AIA Blue Print for America Community Visioning Workshop, held in Robertson County on April 27-28, 2007 was a huge success!  This national grant funded project is being led by the Middle Tennessee AIA  (American Institute of Architects Chapter) in conjunction with CRT and other partners. At the workshop, there was an incredible exchange of ideas and methodologies among all 150+ attendees that will have a dramatic impact on future comprehensive planning, growth, and development in Robertson County, including Springfield and other cities and communities in the county.  Please Click here for a full program report. ***Many thanks to the following persons for their leadership and expertise in coordinating the Robertson County Visioning Workshop and helping create a shared vision for guiding growth throughout Robertson County and it's historic communities***       Lead Project Partners:    Carol Pedigo,Cyril Stewart and Buddy Ferguson - Middle Tennessee AIA     TK Davis - UT College of Architecture & Planning/Nashville Civic Design Center    Greer Broemel - Greater Nashville Regional Council     Robertson County Quality Growth Leadership Team: Howard Bradley - Robertson County Executive     Gina Holt - Springfield Assistant City Manager     Margot Fosnes - Robertson County/Springfield Chamber Executive Director and CRT Director     Program Partners: Kimberly Nyberg  - TECD Tennessee Main Street Office Director     Dodd Galbreath - URS Corporation Natural Infrastructure Project Manager     Eileen Hennessy  - The Land Trust for Tennessee Program Director         2. Our CRT Toolbox Curriculum Test Drive in Springfield and Robertson County on April 18th, 2007 was a huge success!  Forty plus members of Springfield and Robertson County Planning Commissioners and Board of Zoning Appeals members participated in the pilot.    ***Many thanks to the following persons for their leadership and expertise in helping CRT get our Quality Growth Toolbox Training Program up and running in June 2007***       QUALITY GROWTH Curriculum Committee: Rick Bernhardt - Metro Nashville/Davidson County Planning Director and Toolbox Co-Chair     TK Davis, Stephanie McCullough - UT College of Architecture/Nashville Civic Design Center Directors      Dennis Cook - MACTEC Vice President/Senior Principal Engineer/ Toolbox Technical Co-Chair       QUALITY GROWTH Curriculum Development Consultants and Trainers: Jim Daisa - Kimley-Horn Associates    Greer Broemel - Greater Nashville Regional Council     Dennis Cook - MACTEC     Bridget Jones - Cumberland Region Tomorrow Local Planning Directors:    George James - City of Springfield     Bob Hogue - Robertson County Planning Director   CRT WELCOMES NEW PARTNERS:     CRT Welcomes the Tennessee Chapter of the American Planning Association as our First Quality Growth Toolbox Series Partner!       Steve Neilson, 2006 TAPA President and other leaders of the Tennessee Chapter were the first to sign on as Partners for the CRT Quality Growth Toolbox Series Partner when TAPA identified continuing professional development for Planning Commissioners as a top chapter priority.        CRT will offer the first Quality Growth Toolbox Training Session for Professionals to TAPA members this Summer in cooperation with TDOT, TECD Local Planning and other planning partners.  CRT welcomes all TAPA members receiving this newsletter and we look forward to working with you all!   WHAT'S NEXT IN THE REGION: Quality Growth Toolbox Training Up and Running in July 2007    Maury County Comprehensive Planning Ad Hoc Committee Report Due on June 18th, 2007 Second AIA BluePrint for America/CRT Charette scheduled for Lebanon in August,2007 Cheatham County Quality Growth Toolbox Series scheduled to begin late this summer CRT IN THE NEWS-The Buzz on Quality Growth: Nashville Civic Design Mayoral Forum - April 16th, 2007:  CRT was recently recognized for its roll in facilitating comprehensive planning, providing technical assistance, and informing communities about quality growth practices at the Nashville Civic Design Center's Mayoral Forum.  Candidates David Briley and Karl Dean praised CRT for its leadership in regional efforts supporting quality growth planning and sustainable development. Cheatham County is leading the region in implementation of Quality Growth Practices and Community Leadership.  Take a look at the special county insert in Business Tennessee magazine for more details by clicking here  CRT OUT AND ABOUT IN THE REGION: Bridget Jones, CRT's Executive Director is providing 30 minute community presentations throughout the region as part of our Community Quality Growth Series. ***Please visit the CRT website for upcoming presentations in your area. In April and May of 2007, Bridget has or will present to the following groups***     - Maury County Commission - April 4th, 2007     - Maury Comprehensive Planning Committee - April 11th, 2007     - Earth Day Event at Centennial Park - April 21st, 2007     - Planning Lunch and Learn with MACTEC - May 2nd, 2007     - Leadership Middle Tennessee Class of 2007 Cheatham County - May 17th, 2007     - Tennessee Department of Forestry Professional Development,, - May 31st, 2007 CRT is available and eager to speak in your community!  Please contact Jessica Betts at betts@cumberlandregiontomorrow.org if you know of speaking opportunities in your area. OTHER QUALITY GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES: Quality Growth is essential to our region's long-term livability and economic vitality.  Your help to create broad awareness and understanding in the region and build support for our efforts is the best way to ensure responsible growth and sustainable development.  Please help us make this possible. Here are the ways you can help spread the word about CRT and get involved to insure responsible growth in the Cumberland Region: Encourage your colleagues and friends to explore our website, sign up to receive regular updates and check out the incredible resources available in the Quality Growth Toolbox and through our Regional Quality Growth Series Pilot Project    Notify us about opportunities for speaking engagements and outreach in the Region    Get involved and be vocal in support of Quality Growth initiatives in our Region and across Tennessee.    Become a Individual Member by visiting: membership Register for the CRT newsletter by going to: newsletter Explore the Quality Growth Toolbox by going to: toolbox                                                                                            For more information or to share your ideas please contact: Bridget Jones, Executive Director - bridget@cumberlandregiontomorrow.org OR Jessica Betts, Development & Progam Coordinator - betts@cumberlandregiontomorrow.org or  call us at (615) 986-2698