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Waverly, Iowa, to Host Open ‘Smart Growth’ Events May 26-27

Release Date: 05/24/2010
Contact Information: Belinda Young, (913) 551-7463, young.belinda@epa.gov


Environmental News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Kansas City, Kan., May 24, 2010) - The City of Waverly, Iowa, will host a workshop and open house this week, May 26-27, to solicit input from residents on how the community should determine future growth. The events are designed to explore “Smart Growth” solutions for future community planning efforts.

“Smart Growth” planning is a concept that guides future development decision-making in ways that enhance economic opportunity, protect environmental resources and public health, and enhance the quality of life for citizens. For Waverly, “Smart Growth” will also examine how the community can become better prepared to withstand flooding.

Through events such as those planned in Waverly, EPA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Rural Development, the Rebuild Iowa Office and the Iowa Department of Economic Development are working together to assist flood-impacted Iowa communities that have expressed the desire to rebuild using the EPA Smart Growth Planning Program.

This Wednesday’s interactive workshop will allow participants to hear from national experts about preliminary design recommendations for neighborhoods around Waverly. Participants will be able to make comments and provide feedback on the designs. There will also be a discussion about Iowa’s Smart Planning Principles and how they can be put to work in Waverly.

Thursday’s open house will allow participants to view revised recommendations and designs based on feedback from Wednesday’s workshop.

The workshop will be held from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 26, at the Waverly Library, 1500 W. Bremer Ave., in Waverly. The open house will be from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, May 27, at Waverly Civic Center, 200 First St., N.E.

For more information about these public events, contact Ben Kohout, Waverly Community Development and Zoning Official, 319-352-9208.