Another Conversation Richmond Needs To Have

On the heels of a highly successful, collaborative process to develop a new Downtown Plan for Richmond and the highly critical report on the Richmond region's ability to work together for a shared vision, there are more opportunities for different conversations that engage our broader community around a new future.

Over at Smart Communities, Suzanne Morse points us to the work of one community -- Cedar Rapids, Iowa. What I particularly like about Cedar Rapids' Fifteen in Five initiative is that it addresses one of the most fundamental issues that a broad spectrum of any community ought to be discussing -- what kind of place do we want our community to be?

This type of discussion is similar to the conversations generated by Richmond's Downtown Plan process, but go beyond the planning aspect to chase aspirations. Cedar Rapids not only decided it wanted to pursue light rail, it wants to launch a best-in-the-nation early childhood eduction program.

As the Chamber of Commerce-initiated Capital Region Collaborative takes shape, I wonder if they will take the typical Richmond approach -- develop initiatives based on what those at the table already know -- or if the new organization will lead with a sense of genuine curiosity and help the Richmond region's residents craft a vision for tomorrow.