11.A.
City Council Meeting - FINAL (AMENDED)
- Meeting Date:
- 10/17/2023
- Co-Submitter:
- Michelle McNulty
- From:
- David McIntire, Community Investment Director
Information
TITLE
Update on the Downtown Vision and Action Plan: The Vision & Action Plan will identify priorities and initiatives to guide improvements in Downtown Flagstaff over the next five to ten years.
STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Terry Madeksza, Executive Director for the Flagstaff Downtown Business Alliance (FDBA), will provide an update on the process and status for the Downtown Vision and Action Plan. The desired outcome of this update is to inform City Council on where in the process the Downtown Vision and Action Plan is, the intended scheduled to complete the Plan, and to provide opportunity for feedback.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The mission of the Downtown Vision and Action Plan is to make a more connected, beautified, active environment for people who live, work and visit Downtown Flagstaff. The planning process is being led by the Flagstaff Downtown Business Alliance (FDBA), in partnership with the City of Flagstaff, Coconino County, and NAIPTA (dba Mountain Line).
The Plan area consists of approximately 8 x 8 city blocks with boundaries of: Dale Avenue (north), Elden Street (east), Butler Avenue (south), and Milton Road (west). The area is bisected by the BNSF Railway Company railroad tracks, which run east-westerly.
The objective of the Plan is to: develop a market-based vision through a collaborative process; encourage meaningful engagement from a broad variety of stakeholders, including those who may not typically participate in community processes; identify economic develop opportunities; identify opportunities for local business development and support; identify zoning impacts; identify opportunities for public art and engaging STEAM; prioritize buildings, and setting standards, for historic preservation; assess public infrastructure needs for walking, cycling, transit; explore opportunities for activation of civic and community spaces; explore development of in-lieu parking program; and develop tactical and measurable implementation strategies to support the vision. The Vision & Action Plan will identify priorities and initiatives to guide improvements in Downtown Flagstaff over the next five to ten years.
The Plan area consists of approximately 8 x 8 city blocks with boundaries of: Dale Avenue (north), Elden Street (east), Butler Avenue (south), and Milton Road (west). The area is bisected by the BNSF Railway Company railroad tracks, which run east-westerly.
The objective of the Plan is to: develop a market-based vision through a collaborative process; encourage meaningful engagement from a broad variety of stakeholders, including those who may not typically participate in community processes; identify economic develop opportunities; identify opportunities for local business development and support; identify zoning impacts; identify opportunities for public art and engaging STEAM; prioritize buildings, and setting standards, for historic preservation; assess public infrastructure needs for walking, cycling, transit; explore opportunities for activation of civic and community spaces; explore development of in-lieu parking program; and develop tactical and measurable implementation strategies to support the vision. The Vision & Action Plan will identify priorities and initiatives to guide improvements in Downtown Flagstaff over the next five to ten years.
INFORMATION:
The DRAFT Downtown Vision and Action Plan was written by Progressive Urban Management Associates (PUMA) who is a qualified firm selected through a robust procurement process. As will be addressed in the presentation, there were disruptions in the process due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors, but the draft is being presented to Council for feedback, while also seeking feedback from stakeholder groups and the community. There was also significant public information gathered earlier in the process, with comments from more than 1,500 participants.
The Flagstaff Downtown Business Alliance, along with the City, County and Mountain Line provided funding for the project.
The strategies are not commitments of the City or other partners at this point. Any financial or policy items related to the City, as noted in the proposed plan, would require City Administration, Budget Team, and Legal review and must follow the City’s normal budget processes for any consideration or approval.
The Flagstaff Downtown Business Alliance, along with the City, County and Mountain Line provided funding for the project.
The strategies are not commitments of the City or other partners at this point. Any financial or policy items related to the City, as noted in the proposed plan, would require City Administration, Budget Team, and Legal review and must follow the City’s normal budget processes for any consideration or approval.