Accessibility Information: Persons with disabilities who need accommodations or have questions about physical access may call the program sponsoring the event or call Accessibility Resource Center at 530-898-5959.
Find more timely information for our campus community:
Announced on: Friday, Jan. 16, 2026
Strong Towns Is Coming to Chico State Follow this link to listen to Norm's interviews and read his articles
Strong Towns will be in Chico on January 22 for a public conversation about the future of downtown at a time when the community is navigating important changes with the Downtown Revitalization Project.
Norm Van Eeden Petersman of Strong Towns will give a presentation focused on downtown Chico, transportation, and how public decisions shape everyday life. The talk will explore what it takes for a downtown to remain welcoming, accessible, and resilient during periods of transition.
Presentation: A Strong Towns Perspective on Downtown Chico
Downtown Chico is being reimagined with the Downtown Revitalization Project . Moments like this often bring big questions, strong opinions, and a mix of excitement and uncertainty.
How do changes to streets and transportation affect how people experience downtown?
What helps a downtown remain active and easy to access as priorities evolve?
How can a community respond thoughtfully as plans move from ideas to reality?
This presentation is designed to help residents, merchants, and local leaders better understand how downtowns tend to function during periods of transition, what tradeoffs are involved in transportation and access decisions, and how small choices can shape long-term outcomes. Drawing on examples from other cities, Norm will discuss how downtowns adapt over time and what helps them stay resilient and productive.
Rather than promoting a single outcome, the talk focuses on learning. How do small decisions compound over time? What assumptions deserve a closer look? How can a community stay attentive to real-world impacts as change unfolds?
This event is relevant for:
Students/Faculty/Staff of Chico State as a downtown campus
Residents who live in, work in, or regularly visit downtown
Downtown business owners and employees
Property owners and community leaders
Anyone interested in how downtown Chico can grow stronger through change
While the conversation will be grounded in Chico's current context, the insights will be useful for anyone interested in how towns and cities navigate transition while strengthening their core.
Date: Thursday, January 22
Time: 5:30pm
Location: Colusa 100 B
Host: Alternative Transportation Committee
Chair: Jesse Horgan, Parking Services Manager
jhorgan@csuchico.edu 530-989-6903
Accessibility Information: Persons with disabilities who need accommodations or have questions about physical access may call the program sponsoring the event or call Accessibility Resource Center at 530-898-5959.
Find more timely information for our campus community: