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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Preserving Community Culture In the Midst of a Boom

An article in Next City details how LISC’s NYC Inclusive Creative Economy Fund is connecting local cultural institutions and artisanal manufacturers to much-needed capital, like the venerable La MaMa theater in the city’s East Village, where real estate has become prohibitively expensive. The fund has extended a $3.2 million line of credit to La MaMa, whose historic home needs a thorough renovation to survive—financing that banks and even the City don’t provide.

Maurice A. Jones On...(Episode #15)

As we close out 2018, we are pleased to feature Captain Dean Isabella of the Providence Police Department in conversation with Maurice. Isabella is a longtime partner of LISC’s Safety & Justice program and a tireless advocate for a community-oriented approach to policing. He shares his insight into the benefits of police-resident partnerships and the imperative of a holistic strategy for crime reduction and nurturing safe neighborhoods. More information on LISC’s Safety & Justice work in Providence and beyond can be found here.

A Home-Grown Arts Group Launches Youth Into the World of Design

When North Minneapolis natives DeAnna and Roger Cummings founded Juxtaposition Arts (JXTA), they envisioned “a space where kids could have the opportunity to understand what they're good at.” More than two decades later (and with help from LISC), JXTA is a creative and entrepreneurial outlet for hundreds of young people, a force of community revitalization, and a flourishing anchor institution capable of leading a $14 million capital campaign to expand their impact into more neighborhoods, for more youth.