Tues April 30: 11th Street Bridge Park Presentation

Courtesy of Building Bridges Across the River at THEARC:

"Join residents of Wards 6, 7 and 8 at a presentation by graduate students at Virginia Tech's Urban Planning Studio, who have spent the entire semester studying the proposed 11th Street Bridge Park, to deliver their final report.

Presentations will include:

 1) Recommendations to ensure that the Bridge Park is stitched deeply  into surrounding neighborhoods; 

 2) Assessment of nearby playgrounds, cultural amenities, and gardens;

 3) Case studies of similar transformed infrastructure projects across the   US; and

 4) Recommendations for continued community engagement.

Led by Elizabeth Morton, Ph.D., the studio represents one of many ways that Virginia Tech’s’s Urban Affairs and Planning (UAP) program immerses graduate students in real world challenges. UAP is one of three programs that make up the School of Public and International Affairs; its National Capital Region campus is located in Old Town Alexandria.

The District government and local nonprofit partner, Building Bridges Across the River at THEARC, are transforming the old 11th Street river bridge into the city's first elevated park: a new venue for healthy recreation, environmental education and the arts.

Join the movement to transform, connect and engage communities on both sides of the Anacostia River."

RSVP at http://11thstreetbridgepark-eac2.eventbrite.com/#

Falls Church News Press Commentary on Award-winning Project by @UAPVirginia Tech Studio Class

An award-winning project completed by a UAP graduate studio class in Falls Church, Virginia is the focus of this commentary in the most recent Falls Church News-Press.  The project considered the idea of creating an arts and cultural district within the City of Falls Church and the class was led by UAP Professor of Practice Elizabeth Morton. The project was recently recognized by the Virginia Chapter of the American Planning Association with its 2012 Student Planning Project Award.

Elizabeth Morton heads McLean Revitalization Corporation; Working on Underground Utility Project

by Barbara Micale

"Elizabeth Morton, professor-in-practice, Department of Urban Affairs and Planning, College of Architecture and Urban Studies, currently serves as president of the McLean Revitalization Corporation (MRC), an organization of residents, landowners, businesses, and civic organizations who have joined together to promote the revitalization of the McLean Community Business Center (CBC). “Our group is dedicated to supporting efforts that will enhance the business center’s appearance, make it a more pedestrian friendly center of community activity, and increase its economic vitality,” said Morton."  Read more at http://ncr.vt.edu/highlights/Highlight-061412.html.