Reboot Day: City Mapping the Future

Description

From public transit to roadways, from green spaces to utilities—every element of a city’s design shapes how we live, work, and connect. But behind every street corner, bus route, and skyline is a complex web of planning decisions, collaboration, and long-term vision.

Join community leaders, urban planners, and industry experts for an interactive discussion on the challenges and opportunities facing our growing region.

We’ll explore:

• The future of public transit and its role in connecting communities
• Infrastructure innovations that support economic growth and sustainability
• The complexity of city planning in a rapidly expanding metro area

Whether you’re curious about how decisions get made or passionate about shaping our community’s future, this event will inspire fresh ideas and deeper understanding of what it takes to build a thriving city.

Agenda:

• 8:30-9:30 am - Powering Possibility: Why Infrastructure Defines Our Destiny (speaker Jared Mitchem)
• 9:30-9:45 am - Break
• 9:45-10:30 am - Free Pizza! (speaker Dennis Madsen)
• 10:30-11:15 am - Erin Tidwell, AICP, City Planner, City of Athens
• 11:15-11:30 am - Break
• 11:30-12:30 - Lunch and Transportation Panel Discussion
  • John Autry, Public Transit Manager, City of Huntsville
  • Michael Johnson, City Engineer, City of Madison
  • Chuck Faulkner, County Engineer, Public Works, Public Works-County Engineer

Guest speakers:

Jared Mitchem, Director of Insights and Impact, Tennessee Valley Authority

Dennis Madsen, AICP, Manager of Urban and Long-Range Planning for the City of Huntsville 

• BIO - Dennis Madsen, AICP, received his Masters in Architecture from Georgia Tech [Go Jackets!] and subsequently spent two decades working for private-sector architecture, urban design and community planning firms in Atlanta.  His experience ranged from small-scale infill and mixed-use projects to public housing redevelopment efforts and master plans for major downtowns.  In 2013, he joined the City of Huntsville as the Manager of Urban and Long-Range Planning, and he has since then been leading the award-winning comprehensive planning effort known as “The BIG Picture”.  Dennis lives on Monte Sano with his wife Laura Lester (Huntsville High, class of ’86) and son Adlai (New Century High, class of '26)

Erin Tidwell, AICP, City Planner, City of Athens

Erin Tidwell, AICP, is a native of North Alabama. She received her bachelors from the University of Alabama and went on to receive her Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from Alabama A&M University. She has spent the past decade in various planning roles across North Alabama, with a combined six years (and counting) with the City of Athens. She returned to the City of Athens in the role of City Planner three years ago. In addition to her daily duties, Erin is involved in various organizations, such as the Limestone County Economic Development Association, City of Athens Relay for Life, and the Athens Mayor's Youth Commission.

Transportation Panel: