Transportation

	Please join us November 13 from 6-8pm at the American Museum of Radio & Electricty for our second 2008 community forum: Promoting a safe, clean, beautiful downtown. The forum will include a panel discussion focusing on real and perceived safety issues, downtown policing, social services, maintenance and beautification programs, and more. Guest panelists include Marty Dickinson (President, Downtown Spokane Partnership), Deputy Police Chief David Doll, Ken Bothman (La Fiamma & Fiamma Burger), Tara Sundin (City Special Projects Planning Coordinator).
	Downtown Transportation Forum Results & Next Steps
	For those of you who could attend, thank you for participating in the Downtown Renaissance Network Community Forum on transportation on June 4th, 2008. This forum marked the first in a series the Network is holding as part of our strategic planning process to address a number of important downtown issues over the next five years. Your input at the forum has helped us identify and prioritize our advocacy efforts and services related to downtown transportation. We invite you to continue this dialogue with us as we refine and take action on these priorities. Based on your input, the Network identified the following seven items as having the most immediate potential to improve downtown transportation. Please review these items and let us know if you see something significant that is missing. Also, please let us know if you are willing to help take action on one or more of these items. The Network is a voluntary association of downtown residents and business owners. It is through our combined effort that we make a difference! What We Can Do Now To Improve Transportation Downtown (As identified in the 2008 Downtown Renaissance Network Transportation Forum) Please note items are not listed in order of priority Educate bikers, car owners and pedestrians on rules of the road and sidewalk Encourage the police to enforce existing sidewalk and street laws Install more and better bike racks Educate about trails and transit connections, including installation of better signage Encourage people who work downtown to park off street Maintain clean pathways including sidewalks and streets Advocate for expanded parking capacity We look forward to working with you and all downtown stakeholders to continue to improve downtown transportation.
	Forum Notes : Please click on the following links for notes from the transportation break out group sessions: Bicycle Cars/Parking Pedestrian Transit Other/Creative Ideas
	VISION OF DOWNTOWN BELLINGHAM *Presented by the DRN Board as a* DRAFT *for community consideration* Vibrant atmosphere and distinctive character Downtown is bustling with energy, creativity, and art. It feels emotionally and intellectually nourishing to be here…interesting, fun, and full of life. Thriving downtown economy Downtown is a great place to shop, to eat, and to do business. Small, locally owned businesses prosper, and any chain stores downtown have a local identity. Clean, beautiful, and safe Downtown is beautiful and green. It feels well-maintained, comfortable, healthy, and safe to be here. People take care of each other, and take care of this place. Strong sense of community Downtown is a great neighborhood for living, working, and playing. People of all kinds and all ages contribute and feel welcome. It is a place where people smile and look you in the eye.
	Since 2000, the Downtown Renaissance Network has been the only organization that unites the diverse interests that define our city center. Through our network of members, we present a powerful voice for Downtown Bellingham. Join us today! Visit http://www.downtownbellingham.com/Pages/aboutus.htm and click on “Become a member today!” or call us at 527-8710. Thank you for your support of our efforts to improve downtown for the entire community.
	*Contact* Kirsten Walker Executive Director Cassia Parsons Member Services Downtown Renaissance Network Physical Address: 1304 Cornwall Avenue, Bellingham, WA 98225 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1201, Bellingham, WA 98227 Phone: 360.527.8710 Fax: 360.527.8709