Current Planning Efforts
Current Planning Efforts
Over many decades, public agencies across the Phoenix metro area have spearheaded a variety of planning efforts along the Salt and Gila River corridor, both in terms of organizational development and urban planning. From the Rio Salado Development District and the Rio Salado Foundation to the early aspirations of the El Rio Watercourse Master Plan (2006) and the Rio Salado Beyond the Banks Area Plan (2003), the Rio Reimagined study area (1-2 miles above the riverbanks) has been an intermittent focus for planners and leaders.
Read on to learn more about current planning activity within the corridor, including the beginning of a vision planning process for Rio Reimagined, the regional revitalization initiative.
URBAN PLANNING
Rio Reimagined Regional Vision Planning Process
(Arizona State University, Maricopa Association of Governments, Greater Phoenix Leadership, Ambassador to Urban Waters)
After several years as a ‘start-up’ initiative, Rio Reimagined is preparing for a multi-year regional vision planning process. A participatory planning process intends to generate an overarching vision for the future of the river corridor, informed by local communities’ priorities and needs, and development priorities with funding strategies to ensure a cohesive regional impact. This process is just beginning. Click here for more information and opportunities to get involved in visioning your Rio Reimagined.
Rio Reimagined Active Transportation Plan
(Maricopa Association of Governments)
Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), the Valley’s regional planning agency, has secured a consultant to guide a FY25 regional active transportation plan for Rio Reimagined. MAG is funding the study from Fall 2024 – Fall 2026 to enhance non-motorized transportation infrastructure and maximize multimodal connectivity along the Salt and Gila River corridor. It will promote safe and effective active transportation by establishing vital links to neighboring communities and pinpointing essential enhancements to existing infrastructure. Community engagement will be conducted to determine trail alignment, connectivity to neighborhood amenities and ease of access.
For more information about the Rio Reimagined Active Transportation Plan, contact Kay Bork at kbork@azmag.gov,
and check out the project website: Rio Reimagined Active Transportation Study
RIO PHX: The City of Phoenix Plans Its Reach of the RIO
RIO PHX is a collaborative effort by the City of Phoenix and various property/business owners and community stakeholders to create a series of policy documents that will help promote a 20-mile Rio Salado (Salt River) corridor as a local and regional destination that attracts positive investment for the benefit of existing/future businesses, residents, and tourists. This plan aims to be a key implementation component of the regional Rio Reimagined project. This initiative also seeks to address outstanding needs in the area and create opportunities for housing, employment, recreation, art, and ecological restoration. The final aim of this project is also to improve health outcomes for existing and future residents.
Check out the City of Phoenix Planning & Development Department’s RIO PHX webpage for a wealth of information and your opportunity to engage in the effort to improve the Phoenix reach of the RIO.
Click Here for a simplified illustration that describes the differences in scale and focus of these three planning initiatives.
ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Rio Reimagined Social Impact Organization (501(c)3)
(Greater Phoenix Leadership)
Most successful regional revitalization initiatives involve a dedicated non-profit organization that supports the individual and collective vision of its community partners. For Rio Reimagined, a new social impact organization is in formation by Greater Phoenix Leadership (GPL), an organization of leading CEOs aligning leadership and resources at the intersection of the business, education, philanthropy and public policy sectors to improve economic vitality and quality of life. GPL has engaged with Scutari & Co., and the Weber Group to assist the newfound social impact organization as it is formally developed over the next 9-12 months.
For more information, contact Max Hartgraves at max@gplinc.org.
URBAN PLANNING
Rio Reimagined Regional Vision Planning Process
Rio Reimagined Regional Vision Planning Process
(Arizona State University, Maricopa Association of Governments, Greater Phoenix Leadership, Ambassador to Urban Waters)
After several years as a ‘start-up’ initiative, Rio Reimagined is preparing for a multi-year regional vision planning process. A participatory planning process intends to generate an overarching vision for the future of the river corridor, informed by local communities’ priorities and needs, and development priorities with funding strategies to ensure a cohesive regional impact. This process is just beginning. Click here for more information and opportunities to get involved in visioning your Rio Reimagined.
Rio Reimagined Active Transportation Planning Study
Rio Reimagined Active Transportation Planning Study
(Maricopa Association of Governments)
Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), the Valley’s regional planning agency, has secured a consultant to guide a FY25 regional active transportation plan for Rio Reimagined. MAG is funding the study from Fall 2024 – Fall 2026 to enhance non-motorized transportation infrastructure and maximize multimodal connectivity along the Salt and Gila River corridor. It will promote safe and effective active transportation by establishing vital links to neighboring communities and pinpointing essential enhancements to existing infrastructure. Community engagement will be conducted to determine trail alignment, connectivity to neighborhood amenities and ease of access.
For more information about the Rio Reimagined Active Transportation Plan, contact Kay Bork at kbork@azmag.gov,
and check out the project website: Rio Reimagined Active Transportation Study
RIO PHX: The City of Phoenix Plans Its Reach of the RIO
RIO PHX: The City of Phoenix Plans Its Reach of the RIO
RIO PHX is a collaborative effort by the City of Phoenix and various property/business owners and community stakeholders to create a series of policy documents that will help promote a 20-mile Rio Salado (Salt River) corridor as a local and regional destination that attracts positive investment for the benefit of existing/future businesses, residents, and tourists. This plan aims to be a key implementation component of the regional Rio Reimagined project. This initiative also seeks to address outstanding needs in the area and create opportunities for housing, employment, recreation, art, and ecological restoration. The final aim of this project is also to improve health outcomes for existing and future residents.
Check out the City of Phoenix Planning & Development Department’s RIO PHX webpage for a wealth of information and your opportunity to engage in the effort to improve the Phoenix reach of the RIO.
CLICK HERE for a simplified illustration that describes the differences in scale and focus of these three planning initiatives.
ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Rio Reimagined Social Impact Organization (501(c)3)
Rio Reimagined Social Impact Organization (501(c)3)
(Greater Phoenix Leadership)
Most successful regional revitalization initiatives involve a dedicated non-profit organization that supports the individual and collective vision of its community partners. For Rio Reimagined, a new social impact organization is in formation by Greater Phoenix Leadership (GPL), an organization of leading CEOs aligning leadership and resources at the intersection of the business, education, philanthropy and public policy sectors to improve economic vitality and quality of life. GPL has engaged with Scutari & Co., and the Weber Group to assist the newfound social impact organization as it is formally developed over the next 9-12 months.
For more information, contact Max Hartgraves at max@gplinc.org.
URBAN PLANNING
Rio Reimagined Vision Planning Process
(Arizona State University, Maricopa Association of Governments, Greater Phoenix Leadership, Ambassador to Urban Waters)
After several years as a ‘start-up’ initiative, Rio Reimagined is preparing for a multi-year regional vision planning process. A planning process intends to generate an overarching vision for the future of the river corridor, informed by local communities’ priorities and needs, and development priorities with funding strategies to ensure a cohesive regional impact. This process is just beginning. Click here for more information and opportunities to get involved in visioning your Rio Reimagined.
Rio Reimagined Active Transportation Planning Study
(Maricopa Association of Governments)
Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), the Valley’s regional planning authority, has secured a consultant to guide a FY25 regional active transportation plan for Rio Reimagined. MAG is funding the study from Fall 2024 – Fall 2026 to enhance non-motorized transportation infrastructure and maximize multimodal connectivity along the Salt and Gila River corridor. It will promote safe and effective active transportation by establishing vital links to neighboring communities and pinpointing essential enhancements to existing infrastructure. Community engagement will be conducted to determine trail alignment, connectivity to neighborhood amenities and ease of access.
For more information about the Rio Reimagined Active Transportation Plan, contact Kay Bork at kbork@azmag.gov,
and check out the project website: Rio Reimagined Active Transportation Study
RIO PHX: The City of Phoenix Plans Its Reach of the RIO
RIO PHX is a collaborative effort by the City of Phoenix and various property/business owners and community stakeholders to create a series of policy documents that will help promote a 20-mile Rio Salado (Salt River) corridor as a local and regional destination that attracts positive investment for the benefit of existing/future businesses, residents, and tourists. This plan aims to be a key implementation component of the regional Rio Reimagined project. This initiative also seeks to address outstanding needs in the area and create opportunities for housing, employment, recreation, art, and ecological restoration. The final aim of this project is also to improve health outcomes for existing and future residents.
Check out the City of Phoenix Planning & Development Department’s RIO PHX webpage for a wealth of information and your opportunity to engage in the effort to improve the Phoenix reach of the RIO.
CLICK HERE for a simplified illustration that describes the differences in scale and focus of these three planning initiatives.
ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Rio Reimagined Social Impact Organization (501(c)3)
(Greater Phoenix Leadership)
Most successful regional revitalization initiatives involve a dedicated non-profit organization that supports the individual and collective vision of its community partners. For Rio Reimagined, a new social impact organization is in formation by Greater Phoenix Leadership (GPL), an organization of leading CEOs aligning leadership and resources at the intersection of the business, education, philanthropy and public policy sectors to improve economic vitality and quality of life. GPL has engaged with Scutari & Co., and the Weber Group to assist the newfound social impact organization as it is formally developed over the next 9-12 months.
For more information, contact Max Hartgraves.
PLANNING TOOLS
There are dozens of planning tools available to Rio Reimagined partners working on these and other planning efforts. Here are a few examples of local and national resources that relate to current and future work in the river corridor.
City of Phoenix Green Stormwater Infrastructure handbook
City of Phoenix Green Stormwater Infrastructure handbook
Green Stormwater Infrastructure means Infrastructure constructed with a range of measures that use plant or soil systems, other permeable surfaces or substrates, stormwater harvest and reuse, or landscaping to store, infiltrate, or evapotranspirate stormwater and reduce flows to the public storm drain system or to surface waters.
Arizona Blueprint
Arizona Blueprint
The Arizona Water Blueprint is a data-rich, interactive map of Arizona’s water resources and infrastructure. Offering data visualizations and in-depth multimedia content on important water-related topics, the Water Blueprint is a tool for holistic thinking to inform policy decisions and good water stewardship
Heat Vulnerability Map and Cool Solutions Webtool
Heat Vulnerability Map and Cool Solutions Webtool
The Heat Vulnerability Map and Cool Solutions Webtool is a research project transformed into a public good everyone can access.
The interactive heat map explores which parts of the city are highly exposed to heat and who is most vulnerable in these areas. It helps to prioritize investments in cooling infrastructure in high heat vulnerability areas.
PLANNING TOOLS
There are dozens of planning tools available to Rio Reimagined partners working on these and other planning efforts. Here are a few examples of local and national resources that relate to current and future work in the river corridor.
City of Phoenix Green Stormwater Infrastructure handbook
Green Stormwater Infrastructure means Infrastructure constructed with a range of measures that use plant or soil systems, other permeable surfaces or substrates, stormwater harvest and reuse, or landscaping to store, infiltrate, or evapotranspirate stormwater and reduce flows to the public storm drain system or to surface waters.
Arizona Blueprint
The Arizona Water Blueprint is a data-rich, interactive map of Arizona’s water resources and infrastructure. Offering data visualizations and in-depth multimedia content on important water-related topics, the Water Blueprint is a tool for holistic thinking to inform policy decisions and good water stewardship
Heat Vulnerability Map and Cool Solutions Webtool
The Heat Vulnerability Map and Cool Solutions Webtool is a research project transformed into a public good everyone can access.
The interactive heat map explores which parts of the city are highly exposed to heat and who is most vulnerable in these areas. It helps to prioritize investments in cooling infrastructure in high heat vulnerability areas.
PLANNING TOOLS
There are dozens of planning tools available to Rio Reimagined partners working on these and other planning efforts. Here are a few examples of local and national resources that relate to current and future work in the river corridor.
City of Phoenix Green Stormwater Infrastructure handbook
Green Stormwater Infrastructure means Infrastructure constructed with a range of measures that use plant or soil systems, other permeable surfaces or substrates, stormwater harvest and reuse, or landscaping to store, infiltrate, or evapotranspirate stormwater and reduce flows to the public storm drain system or to surface waters.
Arizona Blueprint
The Arizona Water Blueprint is a data-rich, interactive map of Arizona’s water resources and infrastructure. Offering data visualizations and in-depth multimedia content on important water-related topics, the Water Blueprint is a tool for holistic thinking to inform policy decisions and good water stewardship
Heat Vulnerability Map and Cool Solutions Webtool
The Heat Vulnerability Map and Cool Solutions Webtool is a research project transformed into a public good everyone can access.
The interactive heat map explores which parts of the city are highly exposed to heat and who is most vulnerable in these areas. It helps to prioritize investments in cooling infrastructure in high heat vulnerability areas.
Stay Informed
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Stay Connected
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