A Quality of Place: The Grow Smart RI Podcast

Host Scott Wolf, Executive Director of Grow Smart RI is joined by Brenda Clement, Director of HousingWorks RI to discuss the findings of HousingWorks RI's Housing Fact Book. Since 2005, HousingWorks RI’s Housing Fact Book has strived to present as complete a picture as possible of housing affordability in Rhode Island. The Fact Book highlights data and connections that shine a light on policy changes the state can adopt to allow more Rhode Island residents to thrive. 

John Flaherty is joined by Michelle Sheehan of RI Department of Environmental Management & Topher Hamblett of Save The Bay. They discuss  The Green Economy & Clean Water Bond; an investment that builds on Rhode Island’s strengths: a healthy Narragansett Bay, safe drinking water for all, a robust network of bikeways and recreational facilities, revitalized industrial spaces, working farms, open spaces for generations to enjoy, and protection against flooding and storm events.

Host C.J. Opperthauser is joined by Alex Ellis, a planner with the City of Providence Department of Planning & Development. C.J. and Alex discuss the ins and outs of Providence's new bike share program, Jump Bikes. So what exactly is a bike share and how will it benefit the City of Providence? Find out on this episode. If you enjoy this episode, please be sure to subscribe and leave us a review!

Scott Wolf and John Flaherty are joined by soon to be retired State Representative Jay O'Grady to discuss the 2018 legislative session of the RI General Assembly that saw advances in policies to support and encourage smarter growth, but efforts stalled to recapitalize the State Historic Tax Credit, the rush to clear-cut forestland across RhodeIsland for utility-scale solar development continues as competing bills failed to get traction by lawmakers, and the first ever Transit Master Plan is enacted in RI. 

John Flaherty is joined by Christopher Coes, to discuss transit oriented development opportunities in Rhode Island.  Christopher Coes is the Vice President of Real Estate Policy and External Affairs at Smart Growth America. Under his leadership, he oversees Smart Growth America’s real estate programs including LOCUS: Responsible Real Estate Developers and Investors and TOD Finance and Advisors, Inc., a for-profit subsidiary of Smart Growth America.

Here's a sneak peak of A Quality of Place: The Grow Smart RI Podcast. This podcast will explore what smart growth can mean to the Rhode Island community by chatting with planners, advocates, community leaders, and experts in the field. Each episode will try to answer the question: what does smart growth really mean? This podcast is produced by Grow Smart RI, a 501 (c) (3) non profit organization.