Following the Beyond Sprawl reporting series, KJZZ and Fronteras: The Changing America Desk hosted a Town Hall meeting on Jan. 17.

KJZZ hosted the Beyond Sprawl Town Hall on Jan. 17 at Rio Salado College. Participants included moderator Peter O'Dowd and panelists Lattie Coor, Dave Richins, Hugh Hallman and Mark Stapp. (Photo by Tracy Greer - KJZZ)

Arizona was once a leader in job growth. But if you’ve paid attention at all to the news, you know a recession has decimated the housing and construction industries that once defined our identity. Some economists predict housing and construction may never rebound to provide the kind of jobs and economic vitality the region is accustomed to. Others say it’s just a matter of time until the market recovers, and that it’s actually in the process of recovering right now.

Then there are the demographic changes that could permanently alter the face of our communities, both in our cities and in our suburbs.

What better time than now -- as we approach our state’s centennial -- to ask ourselves about what's next. At a time when there’s a glimmer of light at the end of a long, difficult road, what will we decide to do?

Will it be business as usual? Or will we re-envision something different?

Following the Beyond Sprawl reporting series, KJZZ and Fronteras: The Changing America Desk hosted a Town Hall meeting on Jan. 17.

Panelists were Lattie Coor, president and CEO of the Center for the Future of Arizona; Dave Richins, director of the Sun Corridor Legacy Program at the Sonoran Institute and Mesa city councilman; Hugh Hallman, Tempe mayor; and Mark Stapp, executive director at the Master of Real Estate Development Program at Arizona State University’s W. P. Carey School of Business. The panel was moderated by KJZZ News Director Peter O’Dowd.

Listen to the complete meeting:

• Part One
• Part Two
• Part Three
• Part Four
• Part Five
• Part Six
• Part Seven
• Part Eight
• Part Nine
• Part Ten
  
  

Video from MCTV:


Updated 2/10/2012 at 4:50 p.m.