Bilingual community engagement informs bus rapid transit planning
The Client: Fehr & Peers
The Challenge: In 2022-2023, the City of Fort Collins developed a plan to guide recommendations for bus rapid transit service on North College Avenue, a rapidly growing area that is culturally and economically diverse. Transportation planner Fehr & Peers led the effort but needed support engaging the community to help ensure that planning recommendations represented its unique and varied needs.
Our Approach: In partnership with Fehr & Peers, IBE designed and implemented a Public Involvement Plan for the twelve-month planning effort. IBE elevated the voices of the entire community — particularly those who are historically underrepresented — including Hispanics, low-income residents, youth, people with disabilities, and older adults. As part of the work, IBE facilitated focus groups and workshops, collaborated with community-based organizations to ensure diverse input, designed messaging and public questionnaires, and supported City working groups and advisory committees. IBE facilitated conversations – at times contentious due to community concerns regarding land use and gentrification – and synthesized community-driven recommendations that guided the final plan.
The Outcomes: City Council adopted the draft North College MAX Plan in early 2023, enabling the city to move forward in applying for federal funding to support the community-informed transit improvements. Learn more about the status of the North College MAX Plan here.
Key Outcomes
- Facilitated a robust, adaptive, inclusive outreach process for impacted populations
- Engaged community members on important issues that impact their daily lives
- Documented public input, including how the final plan incorporated it
- Helped build community capacity for civic engagement
- Illustrated the level of public support for bus rapid transit service on North College Avenue
Deliverables
- Public Involvement Plan
- Public Involvement reports for three phases of engagement
