April Monthly Program: Rio Vista R/UDAT 

One of the best public advocacy programs AIA has held in a long time happened in our backyard in early March: the Rio Vista R/UDAT. Over four very long days and nights, a special Regional/Urban Design Assistance Team–flown in from all corners of the nation–met with the citizens of this tiny Delta community to listen, envision, discuss and devise solutions to a myriad of problems.

The problems include a rapidly aging population bolstered by a large retirement community, stagnant development, and the future relocation of a major highway that currently transects the town (Highway 12). The resulting report was written by two dedicated National staff overnight so it could be presented to the community during a standing-room only town hall meeting.

What makes this “Communities by Design” event even more impressive is that it was driven completely by Rio Vista citizens. They developed the proposal, raised the necessary funds and marketed the event to the community. In addition, they worked with city and business leaders for buy-in to ensure the resulting recommendations wouldn’t sit on a shelf for the next 20 years.

Please join AIA East Bay on Wednesday, April 30, 2014 for a special presentation from three of the members of the RioVision steering committee: Edwin Okamura, Mary Ellen Lamothe, and Mark McTeer, AIA, as they share the story of their town and how they are using the AIA R/UDAT to proactively fight for Rio Vista’s future.

Cost: $10.00 AIA Members and Employees of Chapter Member Firms; $15.00 Guests.
Please register in advance to ensure accurate food counts.