An Open Streets Family Reunion: Reflections from the 2018 Open Streets Summit

By Ryan O’Connor, Director of Programs, 8 80 Cities Recently 8 80 Cities wrote a blog post about open streets being a labour of love. That being the case, the 2018 Open Streets Summit in New Orleans felt like a family reunion of sorts. It was rejuvenating to see old and new friends who share our passion for open streets and are working tirelessly to create healthier, happier, and more connected communities across the world. The event, which took place on September 15-16, brought together more than 50 leaders who currently organize open streets programs or are interested in bringing the...

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Open Streets Summit Draft Agenda

We hope you are getting ready and feel excited about the Open Streets Summit in Gretna/New Orleans! Taking place from September 15-16, 2018, the Summit will feature tours, presentations and networking opportunities with open streets champions and organizers from across the continent. Attendees will learn about the nuts and bolts of starting or scaling up open streets programs, including: Route design and planning Partnerships with business and officials Social inclusion Safety and logistics Marketing and promotion Program evaluation through measurable goals and metrics If you haven’t done it yet, click here to register for the Open Streets Summit only or...

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Open Streets Summit Speakers Announced!

The Open Streets Project is proud to announce that Ed Solis from Viva Calle (San Jose, CA), Romel Pascual from CicLAvia (Los Angeles, CA), Jaymie Santiago and Charles Brown from New Brunswick Ciclovia will join us as speakers for the 2018 Open Streets Summit in New Orleans and Gretna! Taking place from September 15-16 2018, the Summit will feature: Behind the scenes tour of the City of Gretna’s inaugural open streets program. Workshops, presentations, and networking opportunities with open streets champions and organizers from across the continent. Training and inspiration for both -novice and experienced- open streets organizers and supporters...

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NFL Foundation-LISC Grassroots Program Awards $6M for Community Football Fields

Since 1998, the NFL Foundation-LISC Grassroots Field Grant Program has been helping communities create and refurbish football fields in places that lack access to safe, well-maintained play spaces—416 fields thus far. This year’s $6M grant, the highest in a single season, will renovate or create new fields in 30 U.S. cities, bringing the total commitment to $58 million.

National Equity Fund Announces Record $2.2 Billion Investment in Affordable Housing for 2021

What a way to celebrate a birthday: National Equity Fund (NEF), LISC’s Low Income Housing Tax Credit syndication subsidiary, turns 35 this month, just as they announce a record-breaking $2.2 billion in affordable housing investments for 2021.That includes $1.23 billion in LIHTC investments and $930 million in preservation loans to improve existing homes—all adding up to nearly 13,600 new and refurbished units. And that in the midst of a pandemic.

Investing in Quality Education

This January marks UNESCO’s fourth International Day of Education and creates an opportunity to celebrate progress towards UN Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education. “Quality Education” enables upward economic mobility, reduces inequalities and is a key to fostering tolerance and more peaceful societies. Promoting educational opportunity is at the foundation of the work LISC does in neighborhoods across the country.