HPC agenda 082300 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

The architect of ISTEA about changes for the worse in unless it results in positive Ordinary citizens across for the local communities and its most forceful and artic- both the efficiency of trans- change in American commu- the country are already taking through which the roads pass, ulate advocate was Senator portation and the livability of nities and the quality of life advantage of the power that a commitment to the princi- Daniel Patrick Moynihan of communities. they support.Having a choice ISTEA gave them to bring ples of context sensitive New York,whom the Nation- Moynihan's determina- among several transportation about change in transporta- design, a willingness to give al Trust honored in 1999 with tion and vision shaped new options—being able,for exam- tion policy. Having worked full weight to the legal pro- its Louise duPont Crownin- legislation—ISTEA—that ple, to walk to school,bike to hard to secure the legislative tections that Congress has shield Award, which recog- heralded a dramatic and wel, the store, or ride the train to framework for meaningful extended to historic resources nizes superlative lifetime come change in policy direc- work:is a hallmark of com- reform, the National Trust is —all of these are part of the achievement in the field of tion.This change is reflected munity livability. But these now working equally hard to transportation reform pro- historic preservation.Senator in four of the law's major com- choices will not be made support these grass-roots lead- gram that concerned citizens Moynihan understood better ponents: available unless people ers in every way it can and to are committed to bringing than any other advocate that e half of all federal demand them.The challenge encourage others to join the about in their states.But these shortsighted. transportation transportation funding was facing us, therefore, is to fight where it counts the tools are only as effective as decisions had been responsi-* given new flexibility for use encourage Americans to think most—on their own streets, in our utilization of them. ble for the destruction of more on highways, transit,or other of "transportation" as much their own neighborhoods and Speaking on behalf of the historic resources than any options; more than a synonym for"car" communities,where opportu- National Trust for Historic other federal program (with * decisions about the and to take full advantage of nities abound to see that trans- Preservation, I express my the possible exception of use of these funds were to be the opportunity presented by portation decisions conform to deep appreciation for the time urban renewal), particularly made through inclusive and the new legislation. both the public will and the and effort that contributors The National Trust's plain language of the law. have devoted to the essays that during the decades when honest planning at the state transportation policy initia- The transportation pro- follow.I hope that you find the mighty interstates were and metropolitan levels,with tive,far from being an isolated grams,and the other programs essays informative, thought, rammed through the older meaningful input from citi- effort, is a key component of a and policies discussed in provoking, and sufficiently commercial and residential zens and local officials; broad range of programmatic this issue of Forum Journal, stimulating to lead you to con, areas of dozens of American 0 significant funding activities aimed at bringing represent enormously impor- versations with state trans- communities, destroying his-- was reserved for maintenance cities and small towns back to tant opportunities for preserva- portation leaders about ways toric buildings and neighbor- of existing highway, bridge, life,supporting land-use poli- tionists. But in many cases, of working together.By build- hoods and facilitating the dis- and transit systems;and cies that manage sprawl and effective utilization of these ing lasting partnerships based investment and decay that 0 small but important encourage sustainable devel, programs depends on our will- on mutual trust and respect, continue to afflict the centers sums were set aside to support opment, and demonstrating ingness to build partnerships preservationists can take a of cities and small towns alternatives to the highway the economic and social value with state transportation offi, permanent seat at the tables throughout the country. As system and reduce its negative of preserving and enhancing cials, to create and expand where transportation decisions early as 1960, Moynihan effects on society. historic structures and neigh- implementation opportunities are being made.These partner- shared his insights into the borhoods. We feel strongly that state officials may not have ships,if they are effective,can flaws of national transporta- Tr anslating policy that transportation policy, envisioned or considered fully. help advance our mission of tion policy in an essay entitled having contributed greatly to The components of gen- protecting America's irreplace- "New Roads and Urban into Reality urban decay and small-town uine reform in national trans- able heritage. Chaos," in which he decried All of the hard work we have disinvestment in the past, portation policy are falling the failure of policy makers to done together to bring about must now promote commu- into place.Strengthened pub- realize that the interstate transportation reform in nity revitalization. lic participation in road plan- Richard Moe is the president of the highway program was bringing Washington is meaningless ning, a decision-making role . National TrustforHistoricheservation. Cq . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FORUM J O U R N AL S U M M E R 2 0 0 0