Metro to host first-ever online open house for “SR-710 conversations” March 21
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) will be conducting a new, fully interactive Online Open House beginning March 21 for "SR-710 Conversations," a Measure R-funded transportation initiative now in public scoping. The transportation agency is the first such government entity to allow public comment for official environmental scoping through a virtual meeting.
Concerned members of the public seeking and/or offering potential solutions to regionwide traffic congestion issues related to the SR 710 Freeway gap between Alhambra and Pasadena can now enjoy the same level of input and participation as personally attending a traditional community meeting in the project corridor area. However, unlike a traditional meeting, the "virtual meeting" will give the public the opportunity to go on record from home, work or anywhere else whenever they choose 24-hours a day for the next three weeks ending April 14.
Metro's use of a completely virtual public meeting is a first for government agencies performing public policy work within California. The agency is now conducting a series of 18 public meetings to initiate an environmental review process that will focus on a range of solutions to specifically evaluate the effects of the SR 710 gap. The third series, "Scoping: Going on the Record," began this week.
"Metro's new SR-710 Online Open House is designed to make it as convenient as possible to contribute to the environmental process for this Measure R transportation initiative," said Lynda Bybee, Deputy Executive Officer for Community Relations at Metro. "Our virtual open house environment will save the public time, money and gasoline. The next meeting is at your house, so take advantage of this opportunity to join to the conversation."
Metro's virtual open house developed by Consensus Inc. intuitively simulates the type of user experience one would normally encounter physically attending a public meeting. The web site features conference rooms complete with speakers and audience, presentation screens, and information tables. Easy-to-use navigation features guide the user through different areas for viewing presentations, downloading information and browsing displays.
Virtual participants also will be able to instantly chat with Metro staff online at their convenience during the live open house.
After registration - which includes providing a physical mailing address -- online participants can also officially go on the record by submitting comments within the virtual meeting. Alternately, participants may also provide their input utilizing Metro's web site and e-mail.
Metro's Online Open House will begin March 21 featuring a live session from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The virtual meeting will remain active on demand at Metro's web site (metro.net/ sr710conversations) for three weeks ending April 14. After the live session, the public can submit questions and comments through the platform via e-mail.
This virtual meeting is the latest in a range of interactive social media tools, including web site, webcasts, Facebook and Twitter now being employed by Metro in efforts to redefine civic engagement through digital and social media platforms.
Members of the public interested in participating in the SR-710 Conversations process online can access any of the links from the "Participate from Home" tab on Metro's project web site and/or Facebook (facebook.com/SR-710-Conversations) and Twitter (twitter.com/sr710convos).
For additional information on upcoming "SR-710 Conversations" meetings, visit Metro's project web site at metro.net/sr710conversations.
Editor's Note: Metro Media Relations can facilitate a demonstration of the Online Open House virtual meeting environment prior to the first SR-710 Virtual meeting March 21. Contact Metro's Media Relations office at 213-922-2700 to schedule a brief demonstration.
