Center for Resilient Cities: Urban agriculture expert Will Allen to welcome new development to Madison Thursday

Contact: Alex Pierschalla, Communications Manager, 608.255.9877 x12, alex@resilientcities.org , http://www.resilientcities.org

Contact: Joshua Wescott, Office of the Dane County Executive, 608.267.8823 Wescott@co.dane.wi.us , http://www.co.dane.wi.us

MEDIA ADVISORY

MADISON, WISCONSIN – September 16, 2009 – A press conference will be held on Thursday, September 17th to announce the sale of property owned by Dane County as part of an exciting vision to redevelop part of a south-side Madison neighborhood.

Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk will be joined by other local leaders, representatives of the Center for Resilient Cities and nationally-renowned urban agriculture grower Will Allen for the event.

WHAT: Press conference announcing sale of Badger School and innovative plans for the neighborhood including development of an Urban Agriculture and Community Center that will be the first of its kind in the region. The primary project partners will be introduced, including nationally-recognized nonprofits Growing Power and Madison Area Community Land Trust.

WHERE: Badger School, 501 East Badger Road, Madison, WI

WHEN: Thursday, September 17, 2009, 2 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

WHO: Kathleen Falk, Dane County Executive

Will Allen, CEO Growing Power

Joe Sensenbrenner & Tom Dunbar, Center for Resilient Cities

Other Local Elected Officials

WHY: To announce the pending purchase of Dane County’s Badger School property for development of an innovative Urban Agriculture and Community Center. The Badger School site is underused and presents an opportunity to create a regional demonstration site for urban food production and renewable energy production, as well as a community center that will serve several neighborhoods.

The Center for Resilient Cities uses resilience design to weave green landscapes into the built environment, creating organic opportunities for social and economic development. We help cities adapt to social, economic, environmental, and climate change. Since 1996, the Center has protected or restored more than 300 urban acres and has created green infrastructure plans in more than 1,500 urban acres throughout Wisconsin.