Let’s talk about “livability” in Cedar Rapids

A year ago, the City of Cedar Rapids was in the middle of one of its most robust and exhaustive comprehensive planning processes to date. Thousands of residents, myself included, were asked to contribute ideas about how our community could be strengthened and made more enjoyable, vibrant, and active for generations to come.

The resulting planning document pays homage to the feedback provided by residents, and includes a key council goal - ConnectCR - that seeks to answer the need we expressed: the ability to walk or bike in the community in which we live.

We have a unique opportunity tomorrow (Dec. 10) to once again join the conversation on this important community initiative. Dan Burden, a nationally recognized authority on livable and sustainable communities, healthy streets, traffic calming, and bicycle and pedestrian programs, will share insights on the benefits received when communities embrace policies that support healthy lifestyles and easy movements.

As city leaders continue to make conscious decisions on how and when to add bike lanes, how to close our sidewalk gaps, and how to make the easy choice the healthy choice, we are in a unique position to define how our community will look in the future. Walkable communities don't grow overnight, but project by project - one at a time - changing the way we work, play, and live in Cedar Rapids.

'Livability in Cedar Rapids: A Vision for Vibrant Communities” will begin at 6 p.m. Thursday at CSPS Hall, 1103 Third Street SE in Cedar Rapids.

Please consider attending this special community presentation and learning more about how changes now can transform the quality of life for future generations. In addition to the presentation, a question-and-answer session with city staff also will be offered, to encourage residents to join the conversation.

' Heather Armstrong is Organization Lead for the Blue Zones Project in Cedar Rapids. Comments: Heather.Armstrong@healthways.co