The City of Shawnee Awarded AARP Community Challenge Grant

 

AARP Oklahoma announces The City of Shawnee winner of the AARP Community Challenge, aiming to create positive local change and improve quality of life at the community-level. With AARP funds of $9936.00, The City of Shawnee will install a traffic circle located at the intersection of West Burns Street and North Chapman Avenue to create traffic calming measures and improve safety for pedestrians, bikers, and vehicular traffic alike.

This project is fully funded through the AARP Community Challenge grant and is set to be completed by November 1, 2017. AARP received nearly 1,200 proposals submitted for funding nationwide. After an extensive review process, AARP is funding 89 projects in 50 states and the District of Columbia, including The City of Shawnee Traffic Circle Project.

"The City of Shawnee is incredibly grateful to the AARP organization and the Community Challenge that has inspired communities to enhance quality of life for people of all ages. Through this generous grant, the City will be able to install one of the first residential mini-circles in Shawnee, which has proven to be a best-practice method for traffic calming and pedestrian safety," said Justin DeBruin, City of Shawnee Community Development Director. "Inspired by the Blue Zones Project, the site was selected due to the historic housing stock, close proximity to various amenities, and the clear potential for improved walkability.  This exciting opportunity will serve as a catalyst for continued and purposeful change in the Shawnee community."

“From babies to baby boomers and beyond, we all benefit when the places we live are designed for the rest of our lives. Traffic circles improve safety and traffic flow in communities and are great for neighborhoods and businesses. We all deserve to be able to safely cross the street and we all want the places where we live to be good for people and good for business. The City of Shawnee’s winning project does just that and we are thrilled to provide these funds to make it happen,” states AARP Oklahoma State Director, Sean Voskuhl.

“Great communities require careful planning and time,” said AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer Nancy LeaMond. “These quick action projects will give community leaders the motivation and momentum to create greater change.”

All of the winning projects in this challenge will deliver on one or all of the following:

• Improve social connections through the built environment benefiting people of all ages and abilities in the community.
• Expand opportunities for all residents, such as job, volunteer, and educational/training opportunities.
• Drive inclusive community engagement and interaction across a diverse population.

For a complete list of the winners and projects, visit aarp.org/CommunityChallenge.