Our Transportation Committee has historically advocated for a balanced, multi-modal transportation system for Arizona. We believe transportation and land use planning must be integrated in developing sound growth management strategies. Valley Forward has supported initiatives for freeway construction, light rail transit, bicycle paths, telework programs and pedestrian-oriented development.

GETTING READY FOR RAIL FORUM

Valley Forward’s Transportation/Air Committee has begun planning two Getting Ready for Rail forums to help the business community learn about the challenges and opportunities of light rail.

The two-hour events will be held in downtown Phoenix and in the East Valley in January 2006, when the reality of construction is starting to be felt in our region. The programs will enable local business leaders the opportunity to learn from their peers in others cities about the impact of light rail transit: what to expect during construction, the opportunities resulting from a successful system, and the steps necessary to plan for both.

Panelists will be brought in from such places as Houston, Salt Lake City and Minneapolis, all of which have recently experienced the advent of light rail in their communities. Valley Forward is partnering with several community organizations to present the forums, including: the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Phoenix Partnership, Phoenix Community Alliance, the Tempe Chamber of Commerce, East Valley Partnership and Valley Partnership.

TRANSPORTATION AND GOVERNANCE PRINCIPLES

VISION STATEMENT: Valley Forward’s mission is to bring business and civic leaders from throughout the metropolitan area together to improve the environment and quality of life in Valley communities. It is our belief that transportation, land use and air quality planning are inextricably linked. Therefore, any discussion on the governance of planning for our transportation future must have the goal of addressing all three. Towards this goal, Valley Forward holds forth the following principles, which we believe to be necessary to evaluate the efficacy of any governance body that is responsible for transportation, land use or air quality planning (collectively referred to below as “Planning”).

SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNANCE FOR PLANNING:

1. Planning must emphasize an interconnected multi-modal transportation system that optimizes regional mobility, quality of life and preservation of the environment and neighborhoods.
   
2. Those responsible for Planning decisions must be accountable to the public in as direct and meaningful a manner as possible.
   
3. All citizens and stakeholder entities (i.e. government agencies, corporations, etc.) must be given the opportunity to participate meaningfully in all stages of the Planning process.
   
4. Planning decisions must encourage responsible growth.
   
5. Planning for new regionally significant projects (public or private) should consider the secondary and cumulative impacts on resources (natural, built and financial) of the entire Valley and should address short- and long-term impacts.
   
6. Transportation investments should be determined on performance-based criteria, while considering the mobility needs of all Valley residents in our current and future metropolitan area.
   
7. Decision-makers should use and provide incentives for the innovative financing of transportation infrastructure, such as the use of public/private partnerships.

View the Op Ed by Diane Brossart Supporting Proposition 400 (Daily News Sun, 10.22.04)