By Nicholas Foster, MICD
June 29, 2009

The Mayors' Institute on City Design (MICD) hosted its breakfast meeting for both MICD alumni and prospective participants on June 15 at the 77th Annual Conference of Mayors in Providence (RI). Moderated by MICD leadership, including American Architectural Foundation President and CEO Ron Bogle, Hon. AIA, and National Endowment for the Arts Director of Design Maurice Cox, the forum provided MICD alumni an opportunity to share ideas and experiences with fellow alumni as well as mayors who have yet to attend a session of the Institute. Providence (RI) Mayor David N. Cicilline, a member of the MICD National Advisory Council and host of the 77th Annual Conference, along with Charleston (SC) Mayor Joseph P. Riley, Jr., the Institute's founder, provided insightful testimonials, highlighting the successes of the MICD that has spanned nearly 25 years.

Several alumni mayors, including Babylon (NY) Mayor Steve Bellone, Arlington Heights (IL) Mayor Arlene Mulder, and Reading (PA) Mayor Tom McMahon provided compelling testimonies as to the importance of MICD and its ability to provide mayors with an array of resources to combat a multitude of design challenges facing their respective communities. Charlotte (NC) Mayor Patrick McCrory also voiced his continued support for the Institute and articulated that now, more than ever, mayors are in need of pragmatic, cost-effective design and planning solutions as America's cities are being forced to scale back on both development and redevelopment projects as a result of the nation's economic crisis.

The session closed with Meridian (MS) Mayor John Robert Smith providing inspirational words for his peers, stating that mayors need to continue to be relentless advocates for supporting good design within their respective communities. Smith, who recently hosted the MICD South Regional Session in his hometown of Meridian, suggested all mayors follow in the footsteps of the legendary city planner and architect, Daniel Burnham, and "make no small plans" for their cities.

In addition to the nearly two dozen prospective participants, were numerous MICD alumni, including: Steve Bellone, Babylon (NY); John Bencivengo, Hamilton (NJ); Ardell Brede, Rochester (MN); David Cicilline, Providence (RI); Michael Coleman, Columbus (OH); Mick Cornett, Oklahoma City (OK); Frank Cownie, Des Moines (IA); Melvin "Kip" Holden, Baton Rouge (LA); James W. Holley, III, Portsmouth (VA); Ronald Jones, Garland (TX); Elizabeth Kautz, Burnsville (MN); Ron Littlefield, Chattanooga (TN); Patrick McCrory, Charlotte (NC); Tom McMahon, Reading (PA); Ken Miyagishima, Las Cruces (NM); Arlene Mulder, Arlington Heights (IL); Greg Nickels, Seattle (WA); Joseph P. Riley, Jr., Charleston (SC); Mary Lib Saleh, Euless (TX); John Robert Smith, Meridian (MS); and Mark Stodola, Little Rock (AR).

The Mayors' Institute on City Design is a partnership program of the National Endowment for the Arts, the American Architectural Foundation, and The United States Conference of Mayors. To date, the program has assisted over 775 mayors in transforming their communities through good urban design. The Mayors' Institute conducts several sessions each year. For a list of upcoming events, past attendees, or for more information, visit www.micd.org.