PRLog (Press Release) – Feb 14, 2012 -
Oklahoma Mayor Mick Cornett talks place
The world has taken notice of Oklahoma City’s remarkable renaissance and its popular Mayor, Mick Cornett was named Governing magazine’s 2010 “Public Official of the Year.”
Cornett entered politics in 2001, winning a City Council seat by the largest margin over a sitting incumbent in city history. As Mayor, Cornett led the charge to pass the visionary infrastructure program known as MAPS 3 – a $777-million investment that will dramatically reshape Oklahoma City and enhance the quality of life of its residents. MAPS 3 projects include a 70-acre downtown park, improved sidewalks and hike and bike trails, a modern streetcar system, a new convention center, senior wellness/aquatic centers and other amenities. In addition, he is overseeing Project 180, an ambitious and forward-thinking $140-million, three-year redesign of Oklahoma City’s downtown streets and sidewalks, designed to make the city more pedestrian friendly.
He famously put Oklahoma City “on a diet” in 2007, challenging citizens to improve their health and lose a collective one-million pounds. The goal was reached in January 2012, as more than 47,000 residents logged their weight loss on the awareness campaign’s website, http://www.thiscityisgoingonadiet.com. You can listen to the full interview on Place Matters at 11:00AM EST
About “Place Matters”:
Place Matters seeks out and interviews the newsmakers who are leading the charge to develop America’s cities by creating more value and attachment for residents. Place Matters has talked to mayors, planners, college presidents, even an NBA star about what makes a place matter. Listen to Place Matters every Thursday at 11:00 AM (EST) on 880AM in Miami/Ft. Lauderdale and online at http://www.880thebiz.com. Podcasts are available on iTunes. The show is sponsored by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation in Miami, FL and Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, NC.
About Placemaking:
Placemaking is the science of creating communities that are not only liveable, but also loveable. Dr. Loflin serves as lead project consultant and national content expert on the Knight Soul of the Community survey, which for the first time investigated what attaches people to their community and the impact on the city’s bottom line in 2008-2010 across 26 U.S. communities in partnership with Gallup. The groundbreaking findings of the project have captured national attention and inspired local action across the country.
About Dr. Katherine Loflin:
Dr. Loflin is the lead project consultant and national expert on the Knight Soul of the Community project across 26 communities over the past four years. Since the release of the study, Dr. Loflin has become an in-demand consultant, advising politicians, planners, foundations and community leaders who are trying to improve their communities, using this model of visioning cities first as places. She has been quoted widely in the press including Atlantic Cities, Smart Planet, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Crain’s Detroit Business, Miami Herald and LA Times. Continue reading →