Subject: Your Chance to Give Input About Transit Needs Across the State Date: Wednesday, March 19, 2008 6:11 PM Friends, As you probably know, there has been a lot of community dialogue about the need to address the state’s growing transportation challenges. Most of the discussion has focused on the need for more freeways and better streets. And, of course, those statewide needs are great. There has also been quite a bit of discussion about a possible commuter/passenger rail system between Tucson and Phoenix and points beyond. Clearly, rail is one mode of transportation that needs to be in the mix of options. And while new and improved roads, along with rail options are clearly needed throughout this great State, many of you have commented over the last few months that there hasn’t been enough community dialogue about the need for more BUS TRANSIT. As most of you know, while rail is a key mode of transportation, if there isn’t a good bus system to feed the rail, it will not succeed. Many of the communities along the potential rail line have very limited bus operations. Further, throughout the State, there is a tremendous need for basic transit services. Some communities have no transit services at all; however, as this state grows and as we continue to see a population that is aging, BUS TRANSIT needs to be an option throughout this State. Friends of Transit’s seven year mission has been to “Educate the community about the benefits of transit as part of a balanced regional transportation plan.” If you agree that all modes of transportation need to be considered for any statewide plan, you will want to be sure to attend one of these community workshops listed below. Please share this information with as many people as you can throughout this State. There will be similar workshops and opportunities in Maricopa County for you to let your voices be heard throughout this process. But right now, we need your help in getting this out to our Friends in Rural Arizona. Thank you for your help. David Schwartz Executive Director Building a Quality Arizona Arizona Department of Transportation Building a Quality Arizona Project (800) 111-1111 www.bqaz.gov ADOT Seeks Public Input at Community Workshops Across Arizona March 18, 2008 … The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) and local/regional partners are hosting a series of community workshops in late March across the state to solicit public input on a long-range vision for the future of transportation in Arizona. Looking ahead to the year 2050, this statewide transportation planning process is also known as “Building a Quality Arizona.” For purposes of study, the state has been divided into four regions. Regional Framework Studies kicked off earlier this year for Northern, Western, Central and Eastern Arizona. The first phase of the year-long Framework Planning Process focuses on “Existing Conditions and Issues Identification." The community will be asked: “What is your vision of the future of Arizona and your region?”; and “Based on what you think the future holds, what are the transportation needs for your region?” The Community Workshops are designed to encourage local communities to hear information about the process, review the work to date, and provide input, according to ADOT officials. All workshops are open to the public. ADOT is partnering with local and regional planning organizations across the state such as local councils of government and metropolitan planning organizations, as well as tribal communities, the business/development community, and the environmental/conservation community to ensure the true statewide collaboration that is necessary to make this effort a success. Community Workshops will be held in Kingman, Quartzsite, Yuma, Prescott, Flagstaff, Window Rock, Florence, Globe, Show Low, Sierra Vista, Safford and Nogales. For more information on Community Workshops near you or general information about the study please visit www.bqaz.gov . ADOT says the Framework process is a unique and unprecedented way of looking at transportation planning because: * The Framework Process further into the future than ever before. Traditional planning timeframes are only about 20 years out. This process looks out to 2050. * Most planning processes are cost-constrained, meaning that they look at the dollars available and then try to fit transportation improvements within those dollars. This process is not cost constrained, but instead considers what is needed in the future. * This statewide process is unprecedented in the United States because it will examine transportation in the context of community and economic development. This is important to communities at the local level because it is an opportunity to look ahead at community and economic development patterns, and the desires of local and regional communities in terms of growth and development, to make smart choices about the future. * The Regional Framework Studies will be compiled in early 2009 into a Statewide Planning Framework that truly reflects the desires and growth trends at the local level. Community workshops are scheduled as follows: Show Low Monday, March 24, 2008 Torreon Golf Clubhouse Pavilion 651 S. Torreon Loop Show Low, AZ 85901 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Yuma Monday, March 24, 2008 Yuma City Hall, Room 190 One City Plaza Yuma, AZ 85364 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Quartzsite Tuesday, March 25, 2008 Quartzsite Senior Center 40 Moon Mountain Road Quartzsite, AZ 85346 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Flagstaff Wednesday, March 26, 2008 Little America Hotel/Room American C 2515 E. Butler Avenue Flagstaff, AZ 86004 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Florence Wednesday, March 26, 2008 Anthem Parkside Community Center at Merrill Ranch 3200 N. Anthem Way Florence, AZ 85232 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Globe Thursday, March 27, 2008 American Legion Post No. 4 Hall 645 S. Broad Street Globe, AZ 85501 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Kingman Thursday, March 27, 2008 Powerhouse Visitor Center 120 West Route 66 Kingman, AZ 86401 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Prescott Thursday, March 27, 2008 Yavapai College/ Multi-Purpose Room 1100 East Sheldon Street Prescott, AZ 86301 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Safford Thursday, March 27, 2008 Graham County General Services Building Assembly Room 921 Thatcher Boulevard Safford, AZ 85546 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Sierra Vista Monday, March 31, 2008 St. Andrew Catholic Parish Kino Hall 800 N. Taylor Drive Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Window Rock Thursday, April 3, 2008 Navajo Nation Museum Conference Rooms 1, 2, and 3 Highway 264 and Post Office Loop Road Window Rock, AZ 86515 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Nogales Tuesday, April 8, 2008 Americana Motor Hotel 639 Grand Avenue Nogales, AZ 85621 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.