Discussion and possible action on any and all matters regarding the San Luis Downtown Redevelopment Plan. 

The Economic Development Department is working on revitalizing the downtown area, to this end the City of San Luis contracted with J2 Design and Matrix Design Group to develop a Redevelopment Plan Area for Downtown.

A Redevelopment Area Plan is an economic development tool to promote reinvestment in a focused area of the community. The purpose of a Redevelopment Area Plan is to identify goals and objectives for a specific community area, which culminate in the development of a unified strategy for promoting the long-term prosperity, health, and welfare of an area within the community. A Redevelopment Area Plan provides a community with greater flexibility in encouraging desirable projects with incentives and assistance while promoting and facilitating investment and the appropriate development in the area. 

The area of focus was between Urtuzuastegui Street (“U” Street) and Cesar Chavez Boulevard along Main Street, and from Archibald Street to 4th Avenue for side-street evaluation. The Downtown Redevelopment Plan has six major goals:  

• accomplish Mayor and City Council Strategic Plan goals; 
• enhance and revitalize downtown; 
• increase property values; 
• attract new infill development; 
• encourage reinvestment; and
• improve quality of life for residents and visitors. 

The scope of the project included evaluation and conceptualization of streetscape enhancements, pedestrian amenities, bike lane evaluation, on-street parking concepts, shade systems, signage and gateway monumentation, street tree system, roadway and pedestrian lighting, hardscapes and aesthetics, open space planning, cost estimates, an implementation strategy, and public outreach.

The recommendations outlined in this report include concepts for a revitalized urban core that will continue to serve as a downtown destination environment for the city and region for decades to come. 

As per State Statute 36-1479.D, prior to the approval of a redevelopment plan, the local governing body shall submit a redevelopment plan to the planning commission of the municipality for review and recommendations as to its conformity with the general plan for the development of the municipality as a whole. The planning commission shall submit its recommendation to the governing body within thirty days after receipt of the plan for review. 

Jeff Velazquez, PLA, ASLA, from J2 Design presented this item to the Commission during their regular meeting on May 9, 2023, this gave the Commission time to review the document and provide any comments or questions prior to making a recommendation to City Council for plan adoption. 

City Council will be holding a public hearing during their regular meeting on June 28th to consider the adoption of the San Luis Downtown Redevelopment Plan.