An event sponsored by the One Region Funders group and the Regional Plan Association accented Smart Growth support on the part of the state transportation commissioners in New York and Connecticut. NYSDOT Commissioner Astrid C. Glynn and Connecticut DOT Commissioner Joseph F. Marie made their comments as part of a panel discussion Thursday at the Connecticut and Westchester Mayors' Institute for Community Design.
Transit-oriented development will encourage economic development and create opportunities during difficult financial times, according to the Commissioners.
Commissioner Glynn is quoted as saying she hoped the day would come when households needed only one car, but proactive efforts were needed to get there. She quoted American playwright Wendy Wasserstein, who said "Don't live down to expectations, go out there and do something remarkable."
Commissioner Marie noted that 92% of commuter trips in his state were made by private automobile. "We need more balance," he said.
Read more about the discussion on the Tri-State Transportation Campaign's site "Mobilizing the Region" at: http://blog.tstc.org/2008/conndot-nysdot-commissioners-tout-transit-oriented-development-at-mayors-institute/
