Take part in a televised Beyond Sprawl Town Hall discussion about Arizona's future as it makes its way through a post- economic housing boom-- Jan. 17, 2012, 7-9 p.m. at Rio Salado College’s Conference Center at 2323 W. 14th St., Tempe, AZ 85281.

This Town Hall is a follow up to KJZZ’s recent series called Beyond Sprawl - Rethinking the Southwestern Economy, which aired Nov. 28 – Dec. 2.

KJZZ News Director Peter O’Dowd will serve as moderator and will be joined by a panel of Valley leaders including, Tempe Mayor Hugh Hallman; Chairman and CEO of the Center for the Future of Arizona Dr. Lattie F. Coor; Sonoran Institute, Sun Corridor Legacy Program Director and City of Mesa District 1 Councilmember Dave Richins; and Executive Director and Professor of Real Estate Practice, Arizona State University W. P. Carey School of Business Master of Real Estate Development Mark Stapp.

Also in attendance will be Rio Salado College President Dr. Chris Bustamante and Maricopa County Community Colleges District Chancellor Dr. Rufus Glasper, who will talk about the role Arizona’s education system has in helping re-envision the Southwest’s economy and how the community colleges are educating Arizona's work force and helping out-of-work construction employees transition into different industries.

Among the audience members will be experts in construction, development, real estate, housing and urban planning. If you’re an expert in a related field and you’re interested in attending or helping KJZZ drive the focus of the discussion, please contact KJZZ Public Insight Journalist Nick Blumberg at (480) 774-8231 or nblumberg@rioradio.org. 

Arizona residents are encouraged to attend and share their personal stories about how the weakened housing market has affected their lives, ideas about reviving Arizona’s economy and suggestions on how to make use of vacant lots once slated for development.

Reservations are required in advance and must be made by noon, Fri., Jan 13.  Space is limited; please contact Kelley Simpson at (480) 774-8455 or ksimpson@rioradio.org to reserve your seat.

All attendees are encouraged to listen to the series and to send advance questions for the moderator and panel by contacting Nick Blumberg or using this online form.

The event will be televised by MCTV and available to local media for rebroadcast. Media outlets are also welcome to cover the event. Please contact Mark Moran, Associate General Manager, News and Editorial Strategy for KJZZ at (480) 774-8230 or mmoran@rioradio.org to make reservations and technical arrangements.

Click here for more details about the series and visit fronterasdesk.org to engage in the dialogue online.


KJZZ’s Fronteras: the Changing America Desk is made possible in part by a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and APS.