Register: The Role of Government in Regenerating Civic Infrastructure

Civic infrastructure is the network of public places such as parks, trails, main streets, town squares, play spaces, and libraries that are free to all and encourage people to gather and socialize. Civic infrastructure and other civic spaces enable us to connect with each other, build community, and address shared concerns. Underlying a community’s civic infrastructure and civic space is a system of interconnected policies, programs, and people that work in tandem to build and foster a sense of place. Many in government — from local to federal — believe they have a role to play in strengthening America’s civic infrastructure, and, in turn, strengthening connection within communities. Often, the question is how?

Percent for Place, a coalition of local, state, and national nonprofit organizations convened by Main Street America and Reimagining the Civic Commons, is excited to host an event on October 23, at 1:00 p.m. CDT exploring this very question. Drawing on the newly released Connective Tissue report — a policy framework for government’s role in regenerating connection in American communities — this panel-style event will both imagine government’s potential in boosting our civic infrastructure and explore tactical steps all levels of government can take to make this a reality.

The author of Connective Tissue, Sam Pressler, will open the event by providing an introduction and overview of the framework. Then, we’ll be joined by we’ll be joined by three panelists representing experiences and perspectives from all levels of government, featuring:

• Erika Poethig, Executive Vice President of Strategy and Planning at the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago
• Kendal Smith, Director of Policy Development and Legislative Affairs, State of Vermont
• Anita Cozart, Director, DC Office of Planning
• Alexa Bush, Program Officer — Detroit, The Kresge Foundation (moderator)