• Interactive technology and storytelling to visualize simplified alternative futures and ask substantive questions to the public
• Programs like MetroQuest and Poll Everywhere being pushed beyond what they had been used for in the past
• Every opportunity to ask for public feedback and new ideas on how the region should grow was utilized as well as at civic groups, community events, home shows, newspapers, social media, and online right from home or anywhere

 

With nearly 6,000 survey participants, Imagine 2040 garnered the greatest amount of public participation ever achieved by the Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization and Planning Commission and has received numerous awards at the regional, state, and national levels. 

 

At the Planning Commission's September meeting, Rebecca Rogers was sworn in as MacDill Air Force Base's ex-officio representative on the Planning Commission. Commissioner Rogers serves as the Base Planner & Asset Management Analyst with IAP Worldwide Services. She holds a Masters of Urban & Environmental Planning from the University of Virginia and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Georgia State University. She is also an AICP, certified planner with the American Planning Association. We are looking forward to her planning insights. Welcome to the Planning Commission!

Health status is a key determinant of other achievement factors, in particular education and income levels. It is significantly impacted by reliable access to safe, quality, affordable, healthy food. Read more about food desserts and what the Tampa YMCA's Veggie Van is doing locally to help in the last issue of Beyond Today.

In line with this consideration of how health issue intersect with other planning disciplines, Allison Marron, a Community Engagement Coordinator working for the Florida Department of Health in the Hillsborough County Office of Health Equity, will be one of the featured speakers at the Planning Commission's upcoming Info BBQ (Brown Bag Quarterly). Please bring your own lunch and join us in the Planning Commission Boardroom on the 18th Floor of County Center on November 10 from noon - 1:00 p.m. Her presentation on HiAP - Health in All Policies - A collaborative approach to improving the health of all people by incorporating health considerations into decision-making across sectors and policy areas will demonstrate health in policy's:

• Relationship to social determinants and equity
• Historical and current context
• Intersection with built environment and health activities
• Relationship with Health Impact Assessments
• Alignment with the State Health Improvement Plan
• Benefits to the community

Health and wellness is a focus for planners, and it's important to employers in attracting and retaining highly qualified employees. Now, it officially will be part of the branding and lifestyle in Jeff Vinik's $2 billion investment in Tampa's Waterfront. In fact, Vinik's vision will be designated the first WELL Certified™ district in the world. Read more in the Tampa Bay Times, Tampa Bay Business Journal, and the Tampa Tribune.

View the video of Jeff Vinik talking about his big plans as a guest on CNBC's Squawk Box this morning.