I entered this field with the goal of creating healthier communities and healthier ecosystems. Over the past decade, I have been grateful to meet so many people working towards these same goals. Whether it’s the determined local advocate or the trailblazing philanthropist, I am constantly humbled by the remarkable work that is taking place on so many levels. I’ve been fortunate to have mentors, colleagues and clients that offer guidance, fresh perspectives and challenges that feed innovation. The best inspiration and validation for this work, however, is simply going down the trail and seeing so many people enjoying a walk or ride, pushing themselves towards better health, or simply transporting themselves sustainably. More often than not, people do all of these things at once.
Mr. Reyes’ planning career started in 2001 by serving as an advocate for multi-modal transportation and open spaces in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. He later earned a MS in Community and Regional Planning at UT Austin, finishing with a 4.0 GPA and awards for excellence in design. In 2004, he worked with Community, Design + Architecture in Oakland, CA, gaining experience in urban design and professional planning. As of 2012, Mr. Reyes has contributed to nearly 100 planning and design projects, both nationally and internationally, and served as project manager for more than 30 of those projects. Most of his work is in bicycle, pedestrian and greenway planning and design. Other areas of expertise include open space planning, sustainability planning and ‘Complete Streets’ design. As a project manager, Mr. Reyes facilitates meetings on a regular basis, leads comprehensive and strategic planning efforts, and provides overall graphic design and communication outreach for client communities.
Recent Projects
Wilmington/New Hanover County Comprehensive Greenway Plan (NC)
The Wilmington (NC) Metropolitan Planning Organization, in partnership with the City of Wilmington and New Hanover County, is currently developing a comprehensive greenway plan. As project manager, Jason Reyes is leading committee meetings, public workshops, and overall plan development. The planning process began in January 2012, and is expected to conclude at the end of this year. In April 2012, opportunities and constraints for greenway development were presented at three public workshops. More than 3,300 people have participated in the planning process to date, through comment forms, meetings, interviews, and by visiting booths at various community events. The next steps include completing the draft plan and identifying priority projects. The full project website (created by Alta/Greenways) is viewable here:
www.wilmingtongreenway.com.
Bicycle & Pedestrian Transportation Planning in NC (Multiple projects, 2005-Present)
Mr. Reyes has contributed significantly to more than 20 individual municipal bicycle and pedestrian plans as part of NCDOT’s panning grant initiative. He contributed in many ways: as project manager, facilitator, researcher, writer, graphic designer, and presenter. Mr. Reyes is also currently involved in NCDOT’s Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan, which will define the Bicycle and Pedestrian Division’s work plan for the next decade, and will set the bar for statewide multi-modal transportation planning. For further information about these plans, see
www.ncdot.org/bikeped/planning.
NCDOT Complete Streets Planning and Design Guidelines (NC)
This document provides guidance for how NCDOT will collaborate with cities, towns and communities during the planning and design phases of projects. Together, they will decide how to provide the transportation options needed to serve the community and complement the context of the area. This process will require transportation engineers and land use planners to utilize a common, comprehensive approach to improve the state’s transportation system and to provide streets that serve all users. These guidelines will not only be distributed throughout the Department, but also to local governments to aid as they work to create Complete Streets in their communities. Mr. Reyes served as the lead for the initial development of the bicycle and pedestrian facilities, providing guidance to the prime consultant, PB Americas.
Croatan Regional Trails Plan (NC)
Jason Reyes was the Project Manager for the Croatan Regional Trails Plan, which identifies trail corridors through the Croatan National Forest and parts the surrounding counties. The plan includes a preferred route and alignment for two major statewide and multistate trails that intersect in the region: the North Carolina Mountains-to-the-Sea Trail (MST) and the East Coast Greenway (ECG). Mr. Reyes organized six public workshops and two committee meetings while also leading fieldwork and plan development. Hundreds of people participated in the planning process, through meetings and online comment forms.
Featured Projects
Charleston County Greenbelt Plan (SC)
Mr. Reyes co-authored the Comprehensive Greenbelt Plan for Charleston County, South Carolina (with Charles A. Flink, FASLA). They conducted a detailed greenspace inventory, needs assessment, and conservation strategy that will continue to be implemented over the next two decades. This 25-year plan recommends conserving greenspace through six component landscapes and creating a countywide system of trails by drawing upon dedicated sales tax funding totaling $221,571,200. The grant program that was developed out of the plan conserved 15,000 acres of greenspace in the first three years after adoption of the plan, and it continues to conserve more. This plan won the Outstanding Planning Award from the South Carolina Chapter of the American Planning Association. For more information about this project, visit the web site at
www.smallchangeforbigchange.org.
City of Raleigh Bicycle Transportation Plan (NC)
Jason Reyes was involved in all key aspects of development of the City of Raleigh’s Bicycle Transportation Plan. Jason conducted remote analysis of potential routes, and was on the ground for field analysis and system-wide recommendations. He attended all committee meetings and public meetings, and prepared presentation materials for each. Jason also led development of the prioritization method, which ultimately determined the top priority projects that were funded by the City of Raleigh in 2010 (including 30 miles of new on-road bicycle facilities). His contributions also included the design and development of the plan’s layout, organizational structure, and plan graphics.
City of Raleigh 2030 Comprehensive Plan, Environmental Protection Element (NC)
Mr. Reyes was the primary contributor to this plan’s Environmental Protection Element, which features polices and actions for preparing residents, businesses, and local infrastructure for energy security in the face of climate change. His role in the planning effort was to examine best practices and help formulate recommendations for urban sustainability, including resource conservation, land stewardship, energy efficiency, recycling and reuse, and reducing environmental impact.
Cape Fear Historic Byway Corridor Management Plan (NC)
The Wilmington Urban Area Metropolitan Planning Organization secured a ‘Scenic Byway’ designation for a corridor located in the heart of downtown Wilmington, North Carolina. Drawing from stakeholder meetings and public workshops, the CMP describes the vision and goals for the future of the byway and how to achieve them. The intrinsic qualities of the byway (scenic, natural, historic, cultural, archeological, and recreational) are also described, along with strategies for their preservation and enhancement. Mr. Reyes served as the primary author of this plan, produced the overall graphic design and plan layout, and participated in committee meetings and field analysis.
Violet Crown Trail (TX)
This regional trail system, formerly known as “Walk for a Day”, will begin at Barton Springs Pool in Austin’s Zilker Park, and will wind more than 30 miles south into Hays County. The trail system will provide a unique opportunity for business, conservation, education, and recreational interests to align to benefit the entire community. Jason Reyes produced public workshop materials for this project, focusing on the benefits of trails, economic impacts, and trail safety. Mr. Reyes also facilitated input at public workshops and developed graphic design for the plan report.
Archuleta County Regional Parks, Recreation, Open Space, and Trails Plan (CO)
Archuleta County received a grant from Great Outdoors Colorado to prepare this Regional Parks, Recreation, Open Space and Trails Master Plan. This Master Plan incorporates town and county planning efforts and other parks, trails, open space and recreation plans, and suggests implementation strategies and short-term and long-term goals. This Plan is being used as a tool to help guide development in order to create a sustainable park and trail system and ensure the quality of life in Archuleta County for residents and visitors alike. Mr. Reyes conducted field analysis of existing conditions, produced public outreach materials, facilitated at workshops, authored several plan chapters, and developed the overall layout and design of the plan report.
Additional Projects
Bicycle Facility Design for Favelas in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)
Parks for Tomorrow: Parks, Recreation and Trails Plan (Charleston, SC)
Northwest Arkansas Razorback Greenway (AR)
Durham Hike & Bike Map (NC
Durham City and County Bicycle Transportation Plan (NC)
City of Greenville Trails and Greenways Master Plan (SC)
Greenville County Trails Master Plan (SC)
Carolina Thread Trail (Charlotte Region, NC
Fredericksburg National Military Park (VA)
Ohio River Rail-Trail Feasibility Study (PA)
Northwest Arkansas Razorback Greenway (AR)
Dardenne Creek Greenway Master Plan, Great Rivers Greenway (MO)
Morris Island Access Management Plan (SC)
Southern Pines Bicycle Plan (NC)
Mt. Holly Greenprint (NC)
Davidson Bicycle Transportation Plan (NC)
North Carolina Mountains-to-Sea Trail Master Plan for Johnston County (NC)
Swansboro Bicycle Plan (NC)
Pittsboro Pedestrian Plan (NC)
Triangle Transit Individualized Marketing Project (NC)
Wake Forest Open Space and Greenway Plan (NC)
Belmont Pedestrian Transportation Plan (NC)
Connecting Our Community (PA)
Green Redevelopment Guidelines for Emeryville (CA)
Context Sensitive Solutions in Designing Major Urban Thoroughfares for Walkable Communities
