Results of Imagine Central Arkansas meeting

Transportation coordination and road-building topped issues Imagine Central Arkansas meeting participants listed as high priorities for improving life in Central Arkansas, according to data gathered by Imagine Central Arkansas staff. The meeting, which was held Jan. 24, gave participants the opportunity to work together, via website application, to make decisions about the future of Central Arkansas.

Meeting participants discussed a variety of regional issues such as traffic congestion, the preservation of parks and other open spaces and economic development. As an added benefit, participants witnessed the “real-time” impact of their decisions.

Other key participant concerns included managing and maintaining existing transportation. Participants rated natural resources and parks/recreation as regional strengths while counting lack of businesses, transportation connectivity and workforce availability among regional weaknesses. Top priorities for Central Arkansas included convenience to shopping, services and work and faster commuting.

HSV residents who were unable to attend the meeting may still voice their opinions via the scenario game on the Imagine Central Arkansas website at http://future.imaginecentralarkansas.org. Scenario participants select their top five priorities for the future and answer a series of questions. The game will then show them how their choices affect their chosen priorities and will provide an opportunity to compare results and share with others.

Imagine Central Arkansas, a planning effort led by the metropolitan planning organization, Metroplan, was developed to expand transportation, housing and development choices within a four-county region, including Faulkner, Lonoke, Pulaski and Saline counties. The effort also sets priorities for transportation investments in Central Arkansas. The process includes individuals, local businesses, corporations, nonprofits, state and local governments, colleges and universities, and special interest groups that share a common passion for and interest in preserving the region’s rich culture, history and resources while providing transportation choices that contribute to quality growth and economic development.

The Imagine Central Arkansas metropolitan transportation and development plan is set for completion by late 2013.