| Patricia Rincon-Kallman
presented Houston's Main Street Revitalization Program and the Main Street Coalition, which is focusing on a planned light rail transit (LRT) corridor from the Astrodome to Downtown. The Main Street Coalition, a 501c(3) organization, is comprised of a very diverse set of one hundred stakeholders including five government entities, property owners, district representatives, non-profits, and other community institutions such as schools, universities, churches and civic groups. The coalition is run from the bottom up, meaning the government agencies have a role as equal partners rather than being in complete control. Partnering has had some challenges, particularly with such a large and diverse group. In the case of the Houston LRT, the strategic planning process for the seven and a half miles in question was completed in under four months. With so many stakeholders involved, coordinating strategic plans and leveraging funding in this short time frame was difficult. The coalition found that stakeholders did not want to reveal their agendas in large group meetings, but that they were more open in small meetings and one-on-ones. It cannot be considered too important to determine stakeholders' agendas and strategies, as otherwise the process can easily be blindsided and consequently derailed. Other challenges included building trust, defining government's role in the planning process in an equal partnership, and controlling money.
Ms. Rincon-Kallman also identified a number of successes and causes of success. Careful integration of strategic plans; good information and communication with involved parties, including elected officials; lots of meetings; and "coordination, coordination, coordination" were the identifiable reasons that the coalition was able to present itself as strongly credible and with a unified and powerful voice.
Lessons learned from the process included: 1) engage stakeholders early on, keep them engaged, and allow the process to move forward without surprises; 2) encourage diversity in participation, including heavy hitters as well as the traditionally under-served community; 3) maintain a presence in the public eye, keeping involvement or at least awareness high; 4) keep going -- don't rest on your laurels; and 5) be flexible.
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