On August 17, 2007, the County of LA DPH released a Request for Initiatives entitled RFI PLACE 2007-01. Grantees will develop and maintain interdisciplinary partnerships that will pursue policy changes (i.e. community design, land use, zoning, street standards, general plans, etc.) and physical projects (i.e. bike lanes, sidewalks, trails, traffic calming, green space, public playgrounds, parks etc.) to improve the built environment and increase levels of physical activity among community residents.

Auto-oriented community design has contributed to a decrease in routine physical activity such as walking and bicycling among community residents. Barriers to what used to be "everyday exercise" include long travel distances; missing or narrow sidewalks; lack of access to paths and parks; lack of useful and appealing destinations; and neighborhoods that are unsafe due to traffic or street violence. PLACE grantees will work towards the long-term goal of increasing levels of physical activity among community residents. Together PLACE grantees and their partners will utilize innovative approaches that increase access and reduce barriers to routine physical activity.

RFI solicits proposals from cities, non-profits, schools, and for-profit organizations in LA County. DPH will fund up to five Applicants at approximately $100,000 per year for three years and five months beginning on or about February 1, 2008. Letters of Intent are due by October 5, 2007. Full proposals are due by November 13, 2007.

The RFI and corresponding documents are available for download on the Department of Public Health web site at: http://lapublichealth.org/place. The RFI may also be picked up Monday through Friday between August 20th and September 4th 2007, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., at 3530 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 800, Los Angeles CA 90010.

A Bidder's Conference will be held on September 11, 2007 from 9:00 a.m. – 12 noon (Pacific Standard Time) at: Department of Health Services Administration Building (First Floor Auditorium) 313 N. Figueroa St. Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Related Link: LA County Department of Public Health - PLACE Program (Policies for Livable Active Communities and Environments)

For more information contact:

Elizabeth Rhoades
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health - PLACE Program
3530 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite 800
Los Angeles
CA 90010
United States

Phone: (213) 351-7308
Fax: (213) 351-2713
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://lapublichealth.org/place