Buckeye officials outline downtown specific-area plan and Monroe Avenue demonstration striping

Development Services Director Brian Craig said the city has completed a downtown specific-area plan (DSAP) that lays out short-term action items to transform Monroe Avenue from a high-speed throughway into a pedestrian-friendly main street.

Craig said business owners, residents and stakeholders participated in the DSAP process and that the plan emphasizes streetscape, shade, parking, outdoor seating and other features to support retail and dining. “The DSAP is really about what are some action items to get downtown transformed from being auto oriented to being really a place for business, place for pedestrians, and a place to live, work, and play in downtown,” Craig said.

Why it matters: City officials said new multifamily projects on the east and west sides of downtown will provide housing that supports local businesses and evening activity.

City staff described a demonstration striping project on Monroe that reduced four lanes (two in each direction) to one lane each way with widened parking and curb space intended for parklets and outdoor seating. Staff said the striping was chosen to test changes without major curb or pavement work and that tweaks such as introducing a center turn lane may be tested to improve access and public-safety response.

Craig said the city will hold additional public meetings and noted a community workshop on Monroe on April 23 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall. He and the mayor named downtown projects including Solana Villas for workforce housing and the Lanai Living Project (about 400 small-unit bungalows) as expected to add evening activity.

Ending: City officials asked residents to attend upcoming workshops and provide feedback as Monroe and downtown are adjusted through demonstration projects and incremental improvements. No formal regulatory action was taken at the meeting.