Simplified: The city planning department is taking an interactive approach to its Downtown 2035 plan. Here's how you can give feedback along the way.
Why it matters
- The downtown 10-year plan is nothing new, but it's never been done like this, said Dustin Powers, community development director for the city.
- Residents can leave comments and reactions in a live, interactive map, and then they can leave comments and reactions to other people's comments as well.
- You'll see this type of interactive planning again.The city is using the interactive software as part of a contract with design group Confluence, the same group assisting the city in developing a Falls Park master plan. Confluence will be using the same software to seek feedback on the vision for Falls Park's future, Powers said. Â
"It gives us the ability to be flexible and actually adjust this," Powers said.
How can I give feedback?
The city website has a landing page specific to the 2035 plan. You'll find a survey and the interactive map here.
Meanwhile, the city is also contracting with Leland Consulting Group, an outside agency that'll conduct a market analysis of downtown.
What's the cost of all of this?
The consulting group is budgeted for $46,000, and the partnership with Confluence is costing the city another just over $50,000.
What happens next?
The city, along with its advisory committee, will review the feedback from both the interactive online page and in-person groups throughout the summer.
In September, the city will report its findings along with the findings from the consulting group.
Then, a draft plan is expected to be released by the end of the year, with a final plan up for a council vote likely in early 2023.
