Christian F. Lentz, AICP
Ramiro Gonzalez, AICP
Jim Carrillo, FAICP, RLA
Thursday, March 10 at 9:00 a.m.
Conference Room 1
The municipalities of the Lower Rio Grande Valley have partnered to diversify the local tourism economy in an innovative manner that enhances the regional active transportation facility network. The Lower Rio Grande Valley Active Transportation and Active Tourism Plan (the “Active Plan”) provides strategies to attract “active” tourists such as bicyclists, hikers, runners, and kayakers from around the world through initiatives that will increase and improve inter-community pathways, enhance local tourism destinations, develop facilities that support active tourism, identify and define accessory business models, and provide strategies for a cohesive marketing program. Local destinations and assets within Cameron County are inventoried to define the type of active tourist that may be may be drawn to the Lower Rio Grande Valley, and to develop recommendations that benefit both visitors to the region as well as area residents. Active Plan recommendations emphasize initiatives that promote community health by improving local access to bicycling, walking, and other outdoor activities. This plan is the first of its kind in Texas.
Director of Planning,
Halff Associates
Jim has an extensive background in long-range master planning, urban design, park planning, and site development. His responsibilities as a planner have included comprehensive city and park master planning, land use master planning, site planning, and development. In recent years,he has worked extensively with planning for active transportation in communities throughout Texas. Over the last decade, his work has been recognized with multiple awards for planning innovation and excellence. He was inducted as a Fellow of the American Institute of Certified Planners in April of 2012. He is one of approximately 25 AICP Fellows practicing in Texas today.
Redevelopment Manager,
City of Brownsville
Ramiro coordinates the downtown revitalization efforts, manages special complex projects involving multiple partners for the City of Brownsville (such as the Active Plan), and has lead implementation of Brownsville’s Hike and Bike Plan. In recent years, he has also served as Brownsville’s Comprehensive Planning Manager and Interim Director of Planning. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from George Washington University and his Masters degree in Community and Regional Planning from the University of Texas at Austin. Ramiro is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, as well as a member of the Congress for the New Urbanism.
Halff Associates
Christian joined Halff Associates in 2015 with almost 20 years of post-graduate municipal, county, and regional planning experience throughout the Southeast and Midwest. In addition to more recent work as a private consultant, Mr. Lentz has served as both a municipal and regional planning director responsible for code administration, long-range planning, and the initiation of special planning projects to address community needs including: active transportation, community design, urban redevelopment, renewable energy, and nuisance abatement. Mr. Lentz has leveraged his professional experience into meaningful volunteer activities that have helped to build the capacity of multiple bicycle and pedestrian organizations such as Ozark Greenways and Wheel Movement of the CSRA.
