3rd Annual River City Saunter
Smart Growth is Smart Economics

An Exploration of the Future of Broad Street & Sustainable Development in the Richmond Region

Sunday, October 24th
2:00 - 6:00 p.m
Renaissance Conference Center
107 West Broad Street - Richmond, VA
Limited Free Parking

EVENT DESCRIPTION: Partnership for Smarter Growth (PSG)'s annual event explores the potential of a stronger economy through revitalization and connection of existing infrastructure. The event benefits PSG, a non-profit organization whose mission is to educate and engage the communities in the Richmond region to work together to improve quality of life by guiding where and how we grow. The Saunter's bus tour and community discussion culminates PSG's Smart Economics series which began with four Walk and Talk events held this past spring and summer exploring urban, suburban, and rural developments. Tying together the series is a report entitled Smart Growth is Smart Economics, written by Trip Pollard and released by Southern Environmental Law Center and PSG.

BUS TOUR AND SAUNTER: A guided bus tour of the proposed Bus Rapid Transit Route on Broad Street highlighting Broad Street revitalization. The tour will begin at the Renaissance Conference Center, 107 West Broad Street, go to Willow Lawn, down to Rockett's Landing by way of 14th Street, Main Street, and Route 5, and then return to the Renaissance. We are planning a portion of this tour to simulate the experience of Bus Rapid Transit by providing a dedicated lane with minimal red lights. Bus tour guides include the following experts:

•	Rachel Flynn, Director of Planning and Development Review, City of Richmond
•	John Lewis, CEO, GRTC Transit System
•	Bill Pantele, Attorney, Civic Leader
•	Stewart Schwartz, Executive Director, Coalition for Smarter Growth

People will get out of the bus and “saunter” around and inside the following exclusive locations:

•	1840 West Broad Street: Early 20th-century automobile dealership in the City of Richmond rehabilitated and reused as an office building. Host: BCWH Architects.
•	408 North 3rd Street: This 18,000 square foot, 15 unit apartment be the first multi-family LEED (homes program) project in Richmond and the first in the state to combine this distinction with NPS Historic Preservation certification. It utilizes photo voltaic systems to provide electrical services and solar thermal panels to provide hot water. Host: City & Guilds.
•	219 East Broad Street: Richmond's tallest building from 1930-1971, when it was surpassed by the Richmond City Hall, the Central National Bank Building remains Richmond's tallest art deco styled building at 22 floors. Vacant for ten years, this National Landmark was designed by John Eberson. Host: Douglas Development Corporation.
•	21st and Main: This three story firehouse constructed in 1899 has been given new life as a mixed-use corner building home to a 2,931 square foot restaurant and three three-bedroom loft apartments with walk-out terraces. The second building, Engine Company Lofts, will feature a first floor with 2,007 square-foot commercial space and twenty five apartments on the second through fifth floors. Host: Sensei Development and Monument Construction.

KEYNOTE SPEAKER & REPORT RELEASE: When participants return to the Renaissance Conference Center, they will enjoy local food hors d'oeuvres, exhibits from businesses and organizations participating in Broad Street's revitalization, a cash bar, and a “plein air” art auction. PSG leadership will then introduce our keynote speakers, Senator A. Donald McEachin and City Council President Kathy Graziano, who will comment on the city's and state's role to encourage revitalization and reinvestment in existing infrastructure and transportation choices.

Trip Pollard, Senior Attorney, Southern Environmental Law Center, will then provide a presentation highlighting the Smart Growth is Smart Economics report released on the day of the Saunter. Saunter participants will hear perspectives from developers, architects, and planners referencing highlights from the report and recapping our Smart Economics series:

• John Crump, New Kent Courthouse Village, on New Kent
• Robin Miller, Miller and Associates, on Manchester
• A Henrico County Planner, invited, on Innsbrook
• Andrew Moore, Glave and Holmes, on Green Building
• Scott Garnett, One South Realty, on Broad Street Downtown

ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: A roundtable of experts will discuss the economic benefits and challenges of more sustainable land use and transportation planning for the Richmond region. Stewart Schwartz, Executive Director of Coalition for Smarter Growth, will moderate. Participants on the panel will include the Bus Tour Guides, the keynote speakers, and the presenters on the publication.

EVENT SCHEDULE:

1:30 - 2:00	Registration begins at Renaissance Conference Center, 107 West Broad Street
2:00 - 4:00	Bus Tour featuring the proposed future Bus Rapid Transit route, from Broad Street Downtown location to Willow Lawn, and then to Rocketts Landing and back; 4 buses.(120 min.)
4:00 - 4:30	Local food refreshments; cash bar; non-profit & business exhibits; Plein Air Art Auction
4:30 - 6:00	Presentation, Roundtable and Q&A: (90 min.)
•  4:30 - 4:40 Welcome, Introductions, and Recognition of Elected Officials Present by PSG (10 min.)     •  4:40 - 4:55 Keynote Speakers Senator A. Donald McEachin and City Council President Kathy Graziano (15 min.)     •  4:55 - 5:40 Presentation and Roundtable. (40 min.)         ·  4:55 - 5:05 Overview of Smart Economics theme and publication by Trip Pollard (10 min.)         ·  5:05 - 5:15 Comments from rural, suburban, and urban developers, architects, and planners on background of highlighted projects (10 min. - 2 min. each speaker)         ·  5:15 - 5:40 Roundtable discussion including all speakers on the obstacles and opportunities to smarter growth and economic development in the region (25 min.)     •  5:40 - 6:00 Audience Q&A (20 min.)

SPONSORSHIP, COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION, AND TICKET INFORMATION: For the first and second Saunter, PSG attracted an average of 175 participants including local and state elected officials and appreciated the support of over 35 sponsors.

For a complete list of sponsors and committed elected officials, or to become a sponsor, visit www.psgrichmond.org.

Individual tickets are $25.00 per person. Students, PSG members, and individuals with financial constraints are welcome to pay $15.00 per person. Elected, appointed, and government officials, as well as media members, are offered complementary tickets. All participants must register by visiting www.psgrichmond.org, calling (804) 644-4774, or emailing Coco Provance, Membership Director, at coco@psgrichmond.org.

PARKING and TRANSPORTATION
Free parking will be available. We are reserving 75 spaces behind the Renaissance. First come first serve unless special arrangements are made.

YouTube Video about the River City Saunter!