[StBernard] MONDAY: World-Renowned Planner to Launch Public Outreach Campaign to Create Louisiana Speaks

[Westley Annis]

World-Renowned Planner to Launch Public Outreach Campaign to Create Louisiana Speaks Regional Vision


WHAT: World renowned planner, Peter Calthorpe, will kick off a three-week million dollar public outreach campaign to engage citizens on issues such as community growth, transportation, coastal protection and economic development. The responses generated from this unprecedented, privately funded outreach campaign will serve as the foundation for the Louisiana Speaks Regional Vision. 

Members of the Louisiana Recovery Authority, including Long Term Planning Task Force Chair Donna Fraiche, State and Local Legislative Task Force Chair Sean Reilly, and Executive Director Andy Kopplin will also be in attendance and available to the media.

WHEN: Monday, January 22, 2007
12- 1 pm (Lunch is served at 11:30 am)

WHERE: Press Club of Baton Rouge Luncheon 
De La Ronde Hall
320 Third Street
Baton Rouge, LA 

WHO: Calthorpe serves as one of the lead consultants for Louisiana Speaks, a long term planning initiative of the Louisiana Recovery Authority that is supported with private funds made possible by the LRA Support Foundation.

Named as one of 25 "innovators on the edge" by Newsweek Magazine for his work to redefine models of urban and suburban growth in America, Calthorpe has lead a team of local and national planning experts over the last 13 months to lay the groundwork for the development of South Louisiana's Regional Vision. 

WHY: Spanning parishes from the Texas to Mississippi border (including the Houma/ Thibodaux, New Orleans, North Shore, Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Lake Charles metro areas), the Louisiana Speaks Regional Vision will provide the framework for local and parish plans to thrive in and serve as a guide for South Louisiana's long term recovery and future growth over the next 50 years.

To learn more about Louisiana Speaks, visit www.louisianaspeaks.org <http://www.louisianaspeaks.org> . 



Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated South Louisiana, claiming 1,464 lives, destroying more than 200,000 homes and 18,000 businesses. The Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) is the planning and coordinating body that was created in the aftermath of these storms by Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco to lead one of the most extensive rebuilding efforts in the world. The LRA is a 33-member body which is coordinating across jurisdictions, supporting community recovery and resurgence, ensuring integrity and effectiveness, and planning for the recovery and rebuilding of Louisiana.

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