Mayor Pro Tem of Clarksville, Brian Zacharias, is taking a proactive step towards embracing the concepts of Complete Streets, thanks to his recent selection for Smart Growth America's Complete Streets Champions Institute. As announced earlier this week, Zacharias will be joining other local officials from across the nation in a program that aims to improve community street planning, focusing on promoting safe and healthy environments.
Zacharias, who represents Ward 1 on the City Council, will be delving into virtual learning sessions, according to a statement obtained by the City of Clarksville's official website. This initiative is part of the "Active People, Healthy Nation Initiative" and is backed by Smart Growth America (SGA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Its content is purely a reflection of the authors' efforts and not necessarily those of the CDC.
Throughout the institute's program, Zacharias is expected to emerge as an expert in creating more pedestrian-friendly and sustainable streetscapes in Clarksville. He'll engage in discussions on best practices and confront common challenges in street design alongside his peers from various regions. The hope is to foster a collaborative learning environment where local officials can share insights and strategies.
The expertise garnered from the institute is intended to wield tangible benefits for the communities the participants serve. "I’m honored to participate in Smart Growth America’s Champions Institute,” Zacharias told the City of Clarksville's website. He discussed the importance of integrating smart growth into Clarksville's development, especially as the city faces significant growth. Zacharias expressed enthusiasm about leveraging the program to enhance existing local initiatives like Transportation 2020+, Sidewalks for Schools, and the Restoring Clarksville Initiative.
Clarksville's Mayor Joe Pitts spoke highly of Zacharias's new undertaking, suggesting it will bring continuous benefits to the city's strategy for managing its growing population. “He has proven to be a capable leader, willing to take on additional responsibilities," Pitts stated, expressing confidence in Zacharias's ability to contribute valuable solutions to the city's infrastructure challenges moving forward.
