Background
Public Participation Partners was chosen by NCDOT to provide a comprehensive and effective strategy for public involvement and develop a community-driven neighborhood and mitigation strategies plan for the Burton Street community. The Burton Street community is an historic African American neighborhood in Asheville, NC with Environmental Justice and senior residents. After having adverse recurring impacts from previous interstate improvement projects, the community had little trust in the City and the state when a third I-26 improvement project was proposed.
To mitigate the impacts of the interstate, P3 helped the community develop a neighborhood and mitigation plan that valued the interests of the community. Through this plan, the interstate impacts were mitigated with community resources provided by the City and state, and lines of communication were established between the community and City leadership.
P3 Deliverables
As part of these efforts, Public Participation Partners created and implemented a public involvement plan, which included meeting notification and materials development, small group and public information meeting organization and facilitation, electronic input survey, and plan composition. P3 is currently executing a communications plan to update residents on the progress of the Neighborhood Plan Implementation. This includes a monthly newsletter, fact sheets, website updates, and community association monthly meeting assistance.
Project Highlights
P3 achieved the highest level of public participation, having empowered the Burton Street community in the engagement process. The Burton Street Neighborhood Plan was adopted by the Asheville City Council on October 23, 2018 as an official City of Asheville Neighborhood Plan.
January 15, 2018