Regional Growth Alliance
The Regional Growth Alliance (RGA) was a partnership founded in 2001 to foster collaboration between local governments. The group's steering committee was made up of delegates from Region 2020 (representing interested citizens); from the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce (representing businesses); and from the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham (representing governments). Members hoped that the informal alliance would establish itself as a key venue for decision makers to pursue regional goals.
For specific initiatives, the Regional Growth Alliance founded several "task teams" with selectively-recruited membership. Each task force was co-chaired by one member from each constituency.
Task teams
Progress 280 Task Force
The Progress 280 Task Force was launched in 2001 to address chronic traffic congestion and to guide development along the U.S. Highway 280 corridor from Elton B. Stephens Expressway to Hugh Daniel Drive. Scotty McCallum, Hank Collins and Della Fancher co-chaired the task force, which took the ongoing Horizon 280 plans as a starting point for its discussions.
The Task Force ended up recommending a "Skylane Toll Plan" which it commissioned from Tallahassee, Florida engineer Linda Figg in 2007. That plan met public objection and was not pursued.
Alliance for Transportation Alternatives
This task force was entrusted with the development of a funding plan for regional transit, focusing on Jefferson and Shelby County. Shelia Smoot, Dan Trotman and Doris Powell co-chaired the task force. The group succeeded in securing the support of more than 30 groups for its funding plan.
Environmental Services Community Advisory Committee
This group was formed at the suggestion of Jefferson County Commissioner Gary White to study and advise the county on whether the Jefferson County Department of Environmental Services should continue pursuing its "Super Sewer" plan to comply with the U.S. Clean Water Act and the 1996 Jefferson County consent decree in light of an unfavorable report prepared by BE&K engineers. Danny Smith, Adam Snyder and Gene Melton co-chaired the task force. It was hoped the group could continue to meet to discuss regional environmental management issues such as landfills.
Upper Cahaba Watershed Citizens Advisory Committee
This group supported the development of the Upper Cahaba Watershed Study, commissioned from the Regional Planning Commission by the Upper Cahaba Watershed Consortium to propose land use planning guidelines to protect the Cahaba River as a natural resource. Chris Matthews, Adam Snyder and Gayle England co-chaired the task force.
Corridor X Task Force
This task force, first convened by the Chamber of Commerce before falling under the RGA's umbrella, worked on plans to promote and guide commercial development along the I-22 corridor. Mary Buckelew, Steve Foshee and Bob Forbus co-chaired the task force.
Northern Beltline Task Force
This task force began meeting on December 13, 2004 with 54 participants, and followed up with a "Retail Summit" in April 2005 to involve business owners along the planned route in decision making. The group's goal was to develop a "corridor access management study", modeled on the Corridor X study.
Framework for Growth Task Force
This proposed group was to carry out studies of growth issues in other regions and compile a dossier of relevant issues that should be addressed and best practices for addressing them.
Regional Transportation Planning Task Force
This proposed group was to have begun development of a transportation plan for the 12-county region.
Home Rule Task Force
This proposed group was to have developed strategies for pursuing "limited home rule" for Alabama counties and municipalities through the legislative process.
External links
- Regional Growth Alliance website (via Archive.org)