Strong Towns Members Weigh in on Round 2 of the Strongest Town Contest (Part 1)
Round 2 of the Strongest Town contest kicked off yesterday morning. Already, thousands of votes have been cast for the eight great cities still vying for this year’s title. Thousands more votes are expected to roll in between now and when voting closes at noon CDT on Thursday, March 25.
There’s a reason these towns were chosen among all the applicants to participate in this year’s contest. And then they overcame stiff competition in Round 1. So it’s understandable if some folks are having trouble deciding who to vote for among these eight elite contestants.
For help, we turned to our Strong Towns members. We asked eight of them to weigh in on the Round 1 and Round 2 submissions from the remaining contestants. The volunteers highlighted where they saw the Strong Towns approach at work in the submissions, some potential challenges as these cities pursue financial strength and resilience, and what questions remained.
We’re publishing four commentaries today, and will publish the remaining four tomorrow. Give these a read, and then follow the links to below to vote.
What is one thing about this city (or that this city is doing) that most reflects a Strong Towns approach?
While all of the projects described in Bismarck’s Round 2 submission sound like productive steps in the right direction towards the creation of a stronger Bismarck, the Kessel Run project exemplifying the City’s Infill and Redevelopment Plan stands out to me as the most impactful, Strong Towns-reflective project highlighted in the contestant’s application. While the other projects have me excited for the future of Bismarck, the efficacy of the policy changes implemented per the guidance of the Infill and Redevelopment Plan is very encouraging.
The reduction/elimination of parking minimums, legalization of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), and other amendments to City regulations that have permitted development of small projects on available parcels, will give the City—and its developers—the necessary flexibility to build the type of housing, commercial space, or other form of development most apt for the needs of the community. The potential projects made possible by these amendments to City regulations will give Bismarck leaders the opportunity they need to make their city a Stronger Town.
What is one thing that seems to you to be an obstacle or challenge to this city’s present or future financial strength and resilience?
The "brain drain” referenced in Bismarck’s Round 1 match-up submission may be a challenge the community will have to overcome, but it would seem—based on the evidence I have seen presented in this contest—that many brilliant innovators and leaders have found a home in North Dakota’s capital city.
The Strong Towns approach takes patient, long-term commitment to resilience and sustainability. My greatest concern for Bismarck’s continued strengthening is the potential that future generations of city leaders may not remain as persistent in their pursuit of community improvement and financial resiliency. Not all citizens of Bismarck yet agree with the actions taken by community members which reflect the Strong Towns approach; continued support and advocacy for Strong Towns principles will be essential to ensure ongoing strengthening of the city’s neighborhoods, and hopefully the “brain drain” does not take those future leaders away from Bismarck.
What is one question you would like to see us ask this town’s representatives?
What can other communities in the Upper Midwest/High Plains—or other North American communities with similar challenges and opportunities—learn from your efforts to employ the Strong Towns approach to improve the long-term financial strength of Bismarck?
Any final thoughts on this city's submissions for Round 1 and Round 2?
I enjoyed learning about recent Strong Towns activities in Bismarck and look forward to seeing how their ideas may be applied in my own community!
Jacob Cote is currently a Planner with the Community Development Department of Grand County, Colorado, a popular destination community for outdoor adventurers in all seasons. When not working to employ the Strong Towns approach in the office, Jacob stays busy skiing, running, backpacking, and enjoying everything else the mountains have to offer. You can connect with Jacob on Instagram at @ja-cote and on Twitter at @JacobSCote.
Lockport, Illinois
by Mitch Foster
Round 1 Submission | Round 2 Submission
What is one thing about this city (or that this city is doing) that most reflects a Strong Towns approach?
Lockport does an incredible job of encouraging and cultivating a strong base of neighbor (local citizen) support in the way of ideas, dollars, and time. Whether it is in the small, incremental investments in their commercial areas, or the success of their local arts community, they have co-created this amazing sense of community that engages all citizens. A highlight for me is the engagement of the local student population through their volunteering or through the more organized Career, Community Connections program that gets students out into neighborhoods making little improvements with street trees.
What is one thing that seems to you to be an obstacle or challenge to this city’s present or future financial strength and resilience?
While Lockport does a great job of identifying costs associated with new developments that will be incurred in the future, the methodology for paying for them has not been identified. The reduction of tax rates and the earmarking of gaming tax revenues for one-time expenditures to leverage private investments are worthy ideas, yet there needs to be additional due care placed on creating “depreciation” funds to help with the repair activities communities must endure once the first or second life-cycles are completed.
What is one question you would like to see us ask this town’s representatives?
There is a lot of discussion in the materials regarding new developments, redevelopments or other similar projects. What is the plan for repair and maintenance of existing infrastructure outside of the downtown? Additionally, what is the backup plan if the events and redevelopment activities stop (Black Swan event)?
Any final thoughts on this city's submissions for Round 1 and Round 2?
Lockport shows a dedicated focus in trying to move the community in the direction of being financially sustainable, neighbor-focused, and with incremental improvements. They have taken steps to improve affordable housing, expand access to multiple transportation options, and also engage their community in how they can truly create an amazing “place” to live.
Mitch Foster has been the City Manager for the waterfront community of Ludington since 2019. Prior to that, he was the Village Administrator for the Village of Winneconne, WI as well as the Village Manager for the Village of Kingsley, MI. He is an active member of the International City/County Management Association and Engaging Local Government Leaders. Mitch and his wife, Becky Foster, have one son, Otto, and enjoy living the lake life with spare time filled with hiking, golf, and good books. He can be reached at mfoster@ci.ludington.mi.us. You can also connect with him on Twitter at @MitchFosterMI.
What is one thing about this city (or that this city is doing) that most reflects a Strong Towns approach?
Middleton has recognized the link between transportation and land use and has been implementing complementary policies between the two. They are actively working to provide a more diverse set of housing options by "thickening" neighborhoods with Infill development, ADUs, minimizing parking requirements and traditional multi-family affordable housing methods. For this "thickening" to scale without assuming huge future liabilities for transportation infrastructure, they have been expanding their non-auto transportation options, primarily via a safe and efficient walking and biking network. Given the proximity to Madison, this network feeds into theirs and makes a safe commute via bike for those who want to work in a larger city. This kind of commute is an oft-cited reason for auto ownership and the network facilitates at least a car-lite scenario to reduce transportation costs and help with personal resilience.
What is one thing that seems to you to be an obstacle or challenge to this city’s present or future financial strength and resilience?
While they have done a lot with biking and walking, there are a number of wide 4- and 5-lane streets that support fast traffic, are unsafe for people outside cars and are expensive to maintain. There appears to be significant horizontal commercial and residential expansion of an unproductive nature on the edge of town west of US-12. They will have to be careful to focus on keeping the traditional downtown vibrant and people-centric and reduce their infrastructure costs by not continuing low productivity growth which could also cannibalize their prized asset, the traditional downtown. Furthermore, retrofitting that existing low productivity area is usually a huge lift.
What is one question you would like to see us ask this town’s representatives?
Are you doing anything proactive to limit horizontal expansion and reduce additional low productivity growth on the edge of town, and, if so, has it had any effect on that kind of development typically done by large financial players?
Any final thoughts on this city's submissions for Round 1 and Round 2?
Middleton's roots are not as a suburb of Madison, but it appears to have grown into one albeit with its own unique identity and traditional downtown—the best of both worlds for those who do not want to live in a larger city. This makes it an attractive place to live with a small town feel and plenty of local amenities, but also has easy access to a major metropolitan area of Madison, especially for a bicycle commuter. In many ways it appears that Middleton functions like a traditional, and typically fiscally productive, former "street car" suburb, as long as it sticks to that identity.
Alex Pline has been a Strong Towns member since the early days and lives in Annapolis Maryland. He brings a Strong Towns perspective to his position on the Annapolis Planning Commission and has worked at NASA as his "day job" for 35 years. He blogs about “Urbanism, Advocacy, Bikes and Boats” at Team Pline.
What is one thing about this city (or that this city is doing) that most reflects a Strong Towns approach?
Northfield's planning documents are easily found on their city's website. The Town Plan for 2020 to 2028, adopted in 2020, includes a comprehensive analysis of the city's assets and recommendations for responsible and financially sound growth. The plan calls for preservation of natural resources and historic buildings and for increasing private investment in Northfield's town center. It discourages building in places that are naturally inhospitable to development. The Downtown Action Report, completed a few years after the flood, has suggestions for short and long term interventions to capture economic leakage, increase the appeal of the town center and strengthen the connection between the village and the university. The grant that the city just received to create a pedestrian and trail master plan to connect its downtown to recreational assets will hopefully continue to build upon these plans for incremental and strategic improvements.
What is one thing that seems to you to be an obstacle or challenge to this city’s present or future financial strength and resilience?
According to that town planning document, when citizens were asked to describe Northfield in three words, positive adjectives like "Quaint, Friendly and Beautiful" were popular responses. "Deteriorating and Overtaxed" were more negative answers. "Potential" was also frequently mentioned. The challenge, as I see it, is to convince people that Northfield is the quaint, friendly and beautiful town that is worthy of their energy. Rescuing deteriorating historic structures with public funds is a recipe for over-taxation. The old buildings need new ideas! Continuing to make connections between the university and the town may encourage some of those students to build their futures in Northfield. The Economic Development Director that the town just hired could be very effective if they can emphasize what is unique about Northfield and cultivate local talent to help the town reach its potential.
What is one question you would like to see us ask this town’s representatives?
If I always dreamed of opening a bookstore, pottery studio and gallery, bed and breakfast, brewery or restaurant in a small town—would I choose Northfield? If so, why? If I went to the city with my plans to renovate an existing building for one of these uses, what sort of obstacles would I encounter? Would a business plan for a start-up in Northfield successfully convince investors to fund me?
Any final thoughts on this city's submissions for Round 1 and Round 2?
Northfield's submissions include many examples of community groups, citizens and students collaborating to restore and revitalize their town. I am impressed by the people of Northfield's commitment to work together to help each other and to make their place better.
Marlene Druker is an architect and a Strong Town member and guest writer. She lives in Gig Harbor, Washington, where she volunteers on her city's Design Review Board and her Main Street Association's Design Committee. Marlene advocates for inclusive housing and transportation options on the Facebook page Grassroots for a Healthy Harbor and encourages everyone to Bike Gig Harbor! Want to join in? She's helping Cascade Bicycle Club with a three-day "hub and spoke" tour.
Round 2 Matchups
Bentonville, AR vs. Kenmore, WA | Oxford, MS vs. Yellow Springs, OH | Lockport, IL vs. Middleton, WI | Bismarck, ND vs. Northfield, VT
NOTE: The voting forms are located at the bottom of each match-up. Vote by 12 noon CDT on Thursday, March 25th