Strong Towns President Chuck Marohn will deliver a presentation and a walking tour as part of our ongoing engagement in Akron, sponsored by the Knight Foundation.

Monday, October 29th: Neighborhoods First Presentation (7:00 pm - 8:30 pm)

Rialto Theater
1000 Kenmore Blvd
Akron, OH

Risky, low returning projects too often become expensive boondoggles that haunt a community for decades. Public officials everywhere are desperately seeking an alternative. This talk will cover the "Neighborhoods First" approach to show how a community can grow stronger by making small, incremental investments over time. By observing how neighbors live their lives, by asking them where their daily struggles are, by getting out on the street and discovering what is actually going on, any local government can discern what their community’s pressing needs are. These projects are the high return investments and they are all around us.

A portfolio of incremental projects, each building on observed needs and past successes, is the basis of a solid, long term investment strategy for communities of any size. It is an approach that fits into every budget. It will empower a local government to move beyond the lack of ownership and control that comes with traditional grant programs. And most importantly, you can get started right now.

This event is free and open to the public, but registration is requested.

Tuesday, October 30th: Walking Tour (8:30a.m.)

Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance Office
Freedom Tax Services
1014 Kenmore Blvd.
Akron, OH

During this event, attendees will learn Strong Towns principles as they apply to their immediate area. Participants discover how to view their neighborhood through the Strong Towns perspective while identifying current challenges and discussing possible solutions to their built environment. The walking tour is an excellent way for attendees of the Neighborhoods First presentation to see the topics of the lecture made visible in a local context.

(Top photo source: Kenmore Neighborhood Alliance)