Details
The program was initiated and has been successful in enhancing, the MTA's efforts in community relations and education. MTA officials involved in community relations and education for the Segment 3 Project desired to continue to enhance their efforts through an integrated community relations and communications program with the support of outside assistance.
This project order, builds upon the previous Dean Ryan community relations program and draws together not only MTA resources but also a unique blend of environmental, community relations and engineering expertise available from Dean Ryan.
The purpose of this project was (1) to organize and assist in implementing community information meetings, (2) design and develop educational materials, as needed, including project fact sheets and a monthly newsletter, (3) initiate a citizens oversight committee, and assist in its implementation and facilitation.
The following Scope of Services describes those tasks:
SCOPE OF SERVICES
1. Background Information.
Dean Ryan collected and reviewed MTA documents, news clippings and any other information related to Segment 3 that aided in understanding the on-going status with regard to state of the art technologies being used, construction schedules, the nature and extent of environmental and construction impact and mitigation plans for those impacts, safety precautions, community concerns/activities and previous communication efforts.
2. Community Meetings/Open Houses
During any major construction project it is necessary to develop relationships and maintain reliable lines of communication with the affected communities. The project construction and environmental staff began those relationships and needed to continue to ensure that there was continuous and positive interaction between those affected communities and project personnel. Toward that end, it was very important that the residents, business owners and others received timely and accurate information about the construction process. Therefore, Dean Ryan was called upon to provide that information and communication. Community concern was significantly reduced by regular communication with stakeholders through community meetings and information dissemination. The more access stakeholders have to accurate information, the less impact rumors and misinformation have on apprehensive audiences.
Dean Ryan provided assistance to the project staff in planning and organizing monthly community open houses sponsored by MTA. The goal of the open house was to promote positive lines of communications between the affected communities and the agencies involved in the construction, and to demonstrate that those agencies are concerned about the impact of the construction on peoples' lives. It was also helpful to invite MTA staff, construction representatives and other technical experts to answer questions and outline current activities. In coordination with project staff, Dean Ryan provided assistance in the facilitation of those meetings.