Beyond the Motor City: Buffalo Film Screening

June 1, 2010
BEYOND THE MOTOR CITY
5:30 pm

Presented by the Northeast-Midwest Institute and Green Options Buffalo
The Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society
25 Nottingham Court, Buffalo, NY 14216
For more information: Justin Booth, (716) 851-4052
Director Aaron Woolf and Congressman Brian Higgins in attendance!

The film's issues will be familiar to you: it's an exploration of how America's historic decisions to invest in highways and automotive infrastructure has come, in many cities -- and particularly in Detroit -- at the expense of safe walking and biking, sustainable development and socially equitable communities. While focusing on the hard lessons learned in Detroit, the film also offers the hope that America's cities are now uniquely poised to shine a spotlight on -- and to offer sustainable and cutting-edge solutions to -- our nation's transportation obstacles.

Would you be so kind as to pass this invitation on to your colleagues and extended networks, or, if relevant, to incorporate the details or artwork into your website, e-blasts, newsletter, etc? Congressman Brian Higgins will give opening remarks and director Aaron Woolf will be in attendance after the film to answer questions.

More information about Beyond the Motor City and the Blueprint America Screening Tour can also be found on the PBS website.

City Council has proposed the creation of a “Complete Streets” coordinator - Your support and action is needed.

In June 2008, the Buffalo Common Council passed and Mayor Brown signed into law the “Complete Streets” ordinance. This nationally groundbreaking legislation amended the city charter assuring that all City streets are designed, constructed and operated to enable safe, attractive, and comfortable access for all users of all ages. However, the absence of an implementation mechanism and adequate staff support has made it difficult for Buffalo to implement this progressive policy and aggressively compete with peer cities, such as Madison, Minneapolis, and Grand Rapids, in implementing pedestrian and bicycle improvements.

To address this, Green Options Buffalo has partnered with Council Members Smith and Kearns calling for the creation of a Complete Streets Coordinator shared by the office of strategic planning and department of public works. A resolution was submitted to the council on May 11th and sent to the legislation committee for a public hearing and debate which will occur Tuesday May 18th at 2pm in Council Chambers (Rm. 1417 city hall).

To ensure passage of this resolution to enhance the City of Buffalo’s ability to implement the Complete Streets policy it unanimously adopted, your support is needed.