Little Rock gained national recognition Tuesday for the "complete streets" policy that the city Board of Directors passed last year.
The ordinance was one of 75 across the nation to score high enough on the nonprofit Smart Growth America's evaluation to earn a spot on the Best Complete Streets Policies of 2015 list.
Little Rock's policy received 85.6 points out of a possible 100. In all, the organization has awarded the title to 843 jurisdictions for 898 policies since it started the National Complete Streets Coalition in 2004.
On the 2015 list, for the first time, a city scored a perfect 100 points. Reading, Pa., earned that acclaim.
"Complete Streets" is a term used to describe roadways that are developed for all potential users, including motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation users, people with disabilities and freight haulers.
City Manager Bruce Moore said in a news release that officials are "eager to turn policy into practice and implement these concepts in our street projects."
"To be among the top 10 in the nation for our Complete Streets policy is gratifying because it tells us we are on the right path to doing what's best for our citizens," he said.
Little Rock ranked No. 8 in the list of 75 recognized Tuesday.
Mayor Mark Stodola participated in a Web seminar to announce this year's list Tuesday with Smart Growth leaders and other mayors whose cities received the 2015 recognition.
"I'm thrilled to see the positive impacts and economic impacts, as well, of the development and redevelopment associated with our transportation corridors," Stodola said in the announcement. "But also, complete streets is about slowing traffic and making it safer."
Emiko Atherton, director of the National Complete Streets Coalition, described complete streets policies as a way to make roads safer for everyone "no matter if they're walking, biking, taking transit, using an assistive device, or driving."
The Little Rock Board of Directors approved its complete streets policy in April 2015. It set requirements for sidewalks, curbs, bike lanes, landscaping and islands that cater to all forms of transportation. Not all streets are required to have all of those elements.
Developers already were required to make many of those street improvements when developing properties. Under the new policy, developers also have to bear the cost of adding bike lanes, when applicable. If a street calls for a bike lane, the developer would have to pay for the striping to mark the lane.
NW News on 04/17/2016