This week principal regional planner Kyle Pimental, along with colleagues Amanda Stone from the UNH Cooperative Extension, Lisa Graichen of NH Sea Grant, and Thomas Starr of Northeastern University (who participated via Skype), met with the Durham Leadership Team to discuss a unique public art opportunity. The project is called “Remembrance of Climate Futures” and seeks to increase accessibility of climate-related research. The goal is to install site-specific markers inscribed with messages that place the viewer in the future by using the past-tense on historical plaques—for example, “ First time flood waters spread inland to this point, December 14, 2050. ” After a thoughtful and engaging conversation, the Leadership Team decided to support the project and will become the first New Hampshire community to pilot a project of this kind. Similar projects are already being implemented in Massachusetts in Cambridge, Somerville, and Essex.

For more information on this project, contact Kyle or call 603‑994‑3500.

 

Pieces of Interest

Tri-City task force adds homeless representative

On Wednesday, Aug. 8, regional transportation planner Colin Lentz held a meeting with members of Strafford MPO’s Policy and Technical Advisory committees. Representatives from Strafford MPO’s communities and transit agencies discussed projects that could be potential priorities for the region and appropriate for submission to the statewide Ten Year Plan because of their complexity and cost. Regional long-range transportation planning goals, project selection criteria, and transportation performance measures will all play a role in developing a list of candidate projects through the fall and winter and into early 2019. The Ten Year Plan is just one part of an iterative transportation planning process in which regional planning commissions play an important role.

For more information on the Ten Year Plan process, contact Colin at clentz@strafford.org or at 603‑994‑3500. 

Pieces of Interest

Ride the Amtrack Great Dome Car

SRPC has called Rochester its home base for eight years now. Our offices are in the Community Center close to downtown. Staffers have witnessed many of the awesome changes, improvements, and additions that have happened in recent years in the Lilac City, and we highlighted one such addition at the 2018 Annual Luncheon. This meeting’s panel discussion was devoted to trails, and one of the three panelists we invited was Stacey Marchionni, chair of the Rochester Riverwalk Committee, who spoke about the city’s plans for a trail system linking Hanson Pines and the downtown.

This week, Rochester was recognized for its progress with a visit from Gov. Chris Sununu and the state executive council. According to the story in Foster’s Daily Democrat, “ Sununu said Rochester has cultivated an impressive array of unique business partnerships, educational programs, arts and cultural opportunities, and economic development approaches.”

During his visit, Sununu also recognized Matt Wyatt, a true champion of the arts. Matt is the co-founder of the Rochester Museum of Fine Arts, works for the Rochester Opera House, is involved on the city’s Arts and Culture Commission, and has been active in many other community initiatives. SRPC congratulates Rochester on its recent recognition and accolades. 

Pieces of Interest

Growth in international aerospace market fuels increased production in NH