PAVING FOR PROGRESS
PUBLIC OUTREACH
S
ince the Local Option Sales Tax passed in 2014, the City has made extensive efforts to communicate about the program, the results of the funding, and project information. This
creates a spirit of transparency for residents who want to be reassured their tax dollars are making significant and positive impacts to roadways. The City’s website serves as a central hub for information on the program. Residents can download the full master plan, which contains the prioritized list of projects, treatment methods, and timelines. Since the current funding is not enough to cover every street need in the community, it was important to the City that residents had access to the full list of projects, and could look up streets to see if they were in the 10-year plan. The website also contains a map that tracks completed and planned projects, an archive of all press releases about the program, and various electronic publications. Halfway through the program, the City published a five-year report that listed every street completed to date and the cost, so residents could see the investment figures.
OTHER COMMUNICATION CHANNELS INCLUDE: Direct mail: Those who live on or near a project funded by Paving for Progress receive a letter in the mail with all the details. Neighborhood meeting: The City invites area residents to meet with staff ahead of time and discuss the project and any specific impacts to their properties.
Social media: Follow any of the City’s social media channels for updates on the program. Text alerts: Sign up for mobile text alerts so you can stay informed on road impacts.
Electronic newsletters: Periodic construction updates on all the major projects, emailed right to your inbox. Virtual presentations: During the COVID-19 public health emergency, the City placed presentations on upcoming projects online: cityofcr.com/virtualpublicworks.
Signage: Not all projects are funded by the Local Option Sales Tax. Watch for special street signage that tells you when your local tax dollars are at work.
Communicating frequently and openly helps foster an environment of public trust, which is critical as the City is forced to prioritize road improvements with the limited funding available. These efforts also showcase city-wide improvements, educating the public on the breadth of repairs that stretch across the entire community, not just what is visible in their neighborhood or commute route.
See all the material available at www.cityofcr.com/pavingforprogress. 18
OUR CR
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AUGUST 2021
