Through AIRR, members from infrastructure reuse projects collaborate on common goals, learn from the experiences of other projects, and multiply their visibility when advocating for their needs. AIRR members currently unite to support programs benefiting infrastructure in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), advocate to include infrastructure reuse projects as an eligibility for discretionary federal grant programs and work with a diverse set of stakeholders across the federal agencies to ensure there is a common understanding of the importance and needs of infrastructure reuse projects. These projects have a significant and measurable impact on communities through:

• Environmental Justice: Radically increasing access to clean and healthier environments for residents, these spaces mitigate pollution and increase natural disaster resilience.

• Connectivity/Equity: Reconnecting neighborhoods across cities that often have been divided by interstates, railways, and major roadways by providing public space and cultural amenities, and offering multi-modal options to residents including transit, roads, multi-use trails, and greenspace.

• Public-Private Partnerships: Creating economic development throughout the country by leveraging and contributing millions of dollars to communities through increased tax revenue, tourism, and job creation.

Currently, over 170 infrastructure reuse projects are dedicated to creating public spaces across the US. Over 50% focus on former transportation infrastructure, including highways and freeways, rail and trail ways, industrial water and riverfront projects, and many other models. Projects are leveraging over $40 billion nationwide in capital costs to generate hundreds of millions of dollars for their cities in increased tax revenue and creating thousands of jobs. They bring together a diverse mix of stakeholders: community organizations, city planners, designers, philanthropists, corporations, and government agencies at all levels.