The Town of Bedford set a vision for its future through the adoption of an updated Comprehensive Plan in 2017. This vision includes improving the Centertown area as a vibrant and diverse business district, providing a range of attractive residential neighborhoods, supporting and expanding existing businesses, and creating an attractive and exciting community that attracts new investment and new residents. … Read More
Thriving Communities Technical Assistance – DOT & HUD
The Thriving Communities Program is a multi-agency effort to provide place-based technical assistance to communities to plan and transform infrastructure and community development projects in hundreds of communities nationwide. The program provides in-depth, hands-on technical assistance through capacity builders to regions and local communities, resulting in accelerated project plans and effective project implementation. EPR provides Thriving Communities technical assistance through … Read More
NSVRC Hazard Mitigation Plan
In 2023, EPR worked with the Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Commission (NSVRC) to update its Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. This document, required by FEMA to access certain disaster and mitigation funding, aims to create a more resilient regional community by: Reducing or preventing loss of life and property during natural hazard events such as flooding, severe storms, wildfires, and pandemics; … Read More
Planning for Flood Resilience in Texas
EPR celebrates the completion of a successful technical assistance effort, helping communities plan for flood resilience and hazard mitigation in Liberty and Wharton Counties in Texas. EPR is very proud of our long-term relationship with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; in this case, partnering with EPA Region 6 and our frequent partners on all things environmental engineering, Tetra Tech. Using … Read More
Framework for Equitable Mobility Oriented Development
In support of the US EPA’s mission to protect human health and the environment, the agency’s Office of Community Revitalization provides competitively awarded technical assistance for communities to achieve their desired development goals, improve quality of life, and become more economically and environmentally sustainable through the Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities program. EPR staff have been working with the US … Read More
The City of Harrisonburg’s Comprehensive Housing Assessment and Market Study
In 2020, the City of Harrisonburg contracted with Mullin & Lonergan Associates and its team of Fourth Economy and EPR to conduct work on its Comprehensive Housing Assessment and Market Study. This work arose from City Council’s 2019 vision statements, which included affordable housing as a central component for its twenty-year vision. The Comprehensive Housing Assessment and Market Study begins … Read More
Recreation Economy for Rural Communities, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
EPR and a team of consultants were entrusted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Community Revitalization, the USDA Forest Service, the Appalachian Regional Commission, and the Northern Border Regional Commission to develop a toolkit and deliver planning assistance for a program called Recreation Economy for Rural Communities (RERC). This planning assistance program is designed based on previous EPA programs such … Read More
Local Foods, Local Places Program, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The connection between local food systems, health, and place-making has grown in importance in planning and community development practice in recent decades. Food systems planning is interwoven with public health, improving food access, increasing options for active mobility, and striving for greater equity and inclusion for historically under-served communities. Since 2014, EPR staff have led local food systems planning efforts … Read More
Small Area Planning
EPR routinely conducts multimodal corridor planning efforts and recently completed an update to a regional long range plan for the central Virginia MPO. EPR also works extensively on local planning projects to inform comprehensive plan updates. EPR has provided transportation planning services for small area planning efforts throughout Virginia. Example projects include: Urban Development Area Planning – EPR staff (Vlad … Read More
Urban Development Areas Program – OIPI
EPR assisted several localities in Virginia as part of a team of consultants selected by the Virginia Office of Intermodal Planning & Investment and VDOT to assist Virginia localities incorporate new Urban Development Area (UDA) legislation into their comprehensive plans and zoning and subdivision ordinances. In 2010, the Virginia Legislature adopted legislation to require high-growth cities, counties and towns to … Read More
Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
EPR is currently working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to deliver its Building Blocks for Sustainable Communities program in ten communities across the United States. This program provides quick, targeted community planning assistance on various smart growth topics, such as green and complete streets, flood resilience, linking land use and water quality, and planning for infill development. Communities request … Read More
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