Denver
July 23, 2009

The Mayors Institute on City Design — Our 44th, in Denver

In Denver this week, mayors, architects, designers come together for the 44th Mayors Institute on City Design. At this MICD are Mayors Goodman of Las Vegas, Swearengin of Fresno, Johnson of Sacramento, Bieter of Boise, Smith of Mesa, Kang of Irvine, Coss of Santa Fe. That's seven mayors joining 13 architects and designers, a total of 20 people. All sit at one table. Each mayor brings a “challenge,” a problem that is discussed in depth with each mayor, the other six mayors, and 13 of the best minds and practitioners in America. PowerPoints, drawings, pencils, pens, magic markers, tough questions, constructive criticism, no cell phones, no blackberrys, no press, eyes and brains focusing together — it's a remarkable experience for all of us.

It's different. Here's why. We have created, with our Mayors Institute on City Design, a creative place. A special atmosphere that is conducive to thinking and reflection with no interruptions. Rare indeed in the daily life of a mayor.

Veteran mayors like Oscar Goodman of Las Vegas, now in this third four-year term, joins with brand new mayors Ashley Swearengin and Kevin Johnson, both sworn in just a few months ago with less than one year in office. They all come together with one thing in common. They have a challenge before them in their individual cities. They need help. They come here. They talk straight about their challenge.

Swearengin of Fresno brings forth the question of how to reinvigorate a downtown mall; Goodman of Las Vegas brings forth his continuing challenge of creating a downtown Las Vegas that is away from the strip; Kang of Irvine brings a closed Marine Corps Air Station at El Toro with a reuse plan to create the South Orange Great Park; Johnson of Sacramento brings the challenge and opportunity of transforming a train station, now a hub, into the possibility of creating 16,000 housing units, restaurants, clubs, retail space, a hotel with parking, wrapped around a new sports arena; Coss of Santa Fe brings the challenges of bringing the Santa Fe river to better connect with people as a slice of nature for the downtown core and a special place for his historic city; Bieter of Boise brings a gift from J.R. Simplot, entrepreneur extraordinaire, the potato king of the world, who made Idaho famous for its potatoes. The Simplot Foundation has four blocks slated to be a four-acre park, an amphitheater, sculpture garden for antique tractors and outdoor and indoor venues for recreation uses; Smith of Mesa brings a revitalization effort of the Fiesta District, home to one of the largest and oldest regional malls developed in the 1970s. City officials are working to transform the entire district into an economically vibrant, pedestrian-friendly, and active urban destination.

They meet all day. Hands go up again and again. Intensive question and answer sessions occur after each mayoral presentation. It will be that way for the next two days. And after we return to the hotel and dinner and in the bar afterward, the questions and answers continue. The dialogue of the design issues dominates the days and hours of the time here.

They will leave Denver soon. They take with them new vision, new ideas and renewed energy. Many mayors who came through our MICD say the experience changed their way of thinking about the challenges they face in their cities.

More than 775 mayors have come through the Mayors Institute on City Design since it was created 23 years ago. Through the years and even here today, although Charleston Mayor Joe Riley is not attending, his words and thoughts are evoked with pride and truth. Mayor Riley's continuing passion for design and cities continues and will continue to assist every new generation of mayors to help make our cities human places where our people live, play and work.

Our partners, The National Endowment for the Arts and the American Architectural Foundation — Maurice Cox at NEA and Ron Bogle at AAF — work very closely with The U.S. Conference of Mayors. Tom McClimon is the lead person for us and if mayors are interested in the MICD, please contact him at tmcclimon@usmayors.org.

This summer we continue to focus on the Senate Climate Bill. As mentioned earlier, the House-passed bill does not provide any funds coming directly to cities. Billions would be sent directly to the states unless the Senate changes this and provides language that would send a portion of these funds to cities and counties. Our proposed language, which is gaining support, would provide that a portion of the funds be sent in the form of Energy Block Grants using the current Energy Block Grant distribution system that is contained in the ARRA'stimulus legislation. We must change the legislation now.

On July 28, we have scheduled meetings on the Senate side pushing for Senate action on this matter. Stay tuned for our notices for a request for action. Conference President Greg Nickels has been out there carrying our message. This week Trenton Mayor Doug Palmer testified before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. Earlier Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker testified supporting our position.

As we wind down for the August recess, we will face Senate action after Labor Day. Mayors must reach out to their Congressional delegations advocating that a portion of the funds coming from the cap and trade bill must be directed to cities and counties so that we can have sustainable funds for our new energy block grants once the ARRA'stimulus funds are depleted. Thanks for your continued response. You are making a difference.