By Sarah Bookwalter, MICD Staff
May 19, 2008

Freeport (NY) Mayor William F. Glacken testified May 8 before the House of Representatives Committee on Education and Labor Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities Hearing on the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. In his testimony, Glacken highlighted his experience at the Northeast Mayors’ Institute on City Design (MICD) in December 2006.

MICD is a partnership organization with the United States Conference of Mayors, the National Endowment for the Arts and the American Architectural Foundation; it is an invitation only event that provides a unique experience for six to eight mayors to present challenges facing their community to a panel of leading design experts. In a two and a half day event, the mayors and design professionals work together in a closed door meeting to solve these urban planning challenges.

Glacken came to the Institute to discuss Freeport’s North Main Street Corridor, a run-down portion of an otherwise attractive middle class community. After the two and a half day meeting, Glacken said he left the Institute feeling both enthusiastic and greatly encouraged. The advice and guidance of the other mayors and the design professionals paved the way for a very positive outcome. Raising the appropriate funds took over a year but he reassured the Committee that they are ready to move forward and hire a smart-growth planning firm to complete the plan.

In his testimony, Glacken told the committee, “I am sure that every mayor in this country could tell you about the increasing limitations we have on the resources available to apply to the challenges we face. There is never enough time or money to do all that needs to be addressed. At the Mayors Institute, there was time to learn from outstanding professionals, and to discuss common problems with fellow mayors. What a luxury that seemed during the weekend, and what a positive outcome it is now producing for Freeport.”

When Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (NY) asked Glacken what impact the Institute had on his constituents he replied that the biggest result from his experience with MICD is that it brought the entire community together; the plan was developed in a public charrette format including residents, clergy, chamber of congress, and local business in order to build a consensus among the community.

Glacken closed by asking Congress to support the NEA’s involvement in MICD and other programs alike that make a genuine impact on communities across the country.