Meeting Date: May 18, 2023
To: Members of the Planning Commission
From: Mikayla Schmidt, City Planner
Title
Riverfront Action Plan Update and Discussion.
Body
Action Requested:
The Planning Commission receives an update from staff and the consultant team for the Riverfront Action Plan and related planning and design efforts.
Summary Report:
In 2014, the City created a Vision Plan for Bridge Square, and not quite a decade later, implementation is underway. When the City began updating its Strategic Plan, the 2018-2020 version included within the "Economic Development" Strategic Priority area a strategic initiative for "Riverfront Enhancement." To assist in policy review and process guidance on exploring how to achieve this goal, the City Council established the Riverfront Enhancement Advisory Committee (REAC) via Resolution 2018-115 in November 2018 as a temporary committee to advise development of a Riverfront Enhancement Action Plan. The intent was to further the City's strategic priorities, including:
* "riverfront enhancement";
* "enhanced tourism"; and
* "expanded downtown"
All of these contribute to "Economic Development: A Community That's Economically Thriving".
The Council adopted a resolution that further established an expectation for a Riverfront Enhancement Action Plan that includes the following elements:
* Prioritization to align with the strategic plan; and
* Concept plans for strategic park improvements; and
* Identified short-term and long-term projects and funding sources; and
* Preservation and conservation of the riverfront; and
* Identification of stormwater management project priorities; and
* Strategies for increased active use of the riverfront; and
* Opportunities for business expansion on the corridor.
In December 2020, the City Council approved the Riverfront Enhancement Action plan, a framework to guide improvements along the River and future design of park spaces. It is intended to create enthusiasm, and identify actions...
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