Staff proposes downtown planning study, seeks grant to update Beaumont comprehensive plan

City planning staff urged commissioners and council members to begin a planning study for downtown revitalization rather than immediately designating an "entertainment district," and said the city has applied for grant funding to support a comprehensive plan update.

Staff noted the city’s comprehensive plan has not been updated since February 2003 and said planning studies can guide whether downtown should pursue an entertainment, innovation, cultural or other type of district. "A comprehensive plan is a long range plan for a community's future," staff said, describing the plan's role in shaping land use, transportation, housing and economic development. Staff recommended a planning study be completed first and used to evaluate specific‑use permits and rezoning requests in the downtown area.

Staff said a planning study could be completed by existing planning staff, but a full comprehensive plan update is a multi‑departmental process that would benefit from outside consultant support. The city has submitted an application to the Texas General Land Office (GLO) seeking about $300,000 to fund a comprehensive plan update; if awarded, staff said the city would have 24 months to complete the plan. "We've submitted an application to the GLO for about $300,000 and we're hopeful to receive that money," staff said.

Staff pointed to recent and planned public investments—restoration of Riverfront Park, improvements to Calder Avenue, acquisition and demolition of 555 Main Street, facade grant incentives through the Main Street program—and said those investments are intended to attract private investment. Staff also said a hotel feasibility study is underway with results expected in April.

Council and commission members asked procedural and scope questions about boundaries, funding and community engagement. Staff said a district, if pursued later, would likely be concentrated to a small area within the Central Business District rather than the entire downtown footprint, and that public input would be built into any planning or comprehensive plan process. One council or commission member told staff, "Sounds like a great idea." Another asked specifically whether the community would be involved; staff replied it would and that staff plans to invite property owners and tenants to meetings.

Staff recommended initiating a planning study to guide downtown policy and to seek the comprehensive plan grant; no formal vote was recorded on the planning study during the joint session, but council and commission members expressed general support in the discussion recorded on March 17.