Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Downtown Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council adopts Downtown Development Authority plan of development with amendments
Summary
The governing body adopted the DDA—s 2024 plan of development as amended to include Planning Commission and council recommendations on parking, walkability, work plan creation and references to grant programs.
The governing body voted to adopt the Downtown Development Authority—s 2024 plan of development, approving a substitute amendment that incorporated recommendations from the planning commission and the council.
Why it matters: The plan consolidates multiple prior plans into a single guiding document for downtown strategy, and council members said the amended package adds a clear implementation work plan and references to grant programs and parking/walkability recommendations.
What proponents said: Charles Bloom, the city—s planning and development director, summarized changes made after public hearings and introduced the consultant. Brian Bau, a volunteer DDA board member and task-force participant, said the plan will provide a foundation for strategic action and that the plan was funded through the DDA mill levy. Wendy Volk, DDA vice chair, said the plan consolidates historical information and urged ongoing engagement from property owners and businesses. Danica Rosinski, a downtown business owner and DDA board member, said the plan is a "living document" designed to guide implementation and emphasized the need for extensive partnership across city departments and stakeholders.
Council discussion and amendment: Mister Seagrave moved a substitute to include planning-commission and council recommendations such as parking and walkability measures, creation of a work plan, references to grant programs, and additional appendices (including the corrected graphic on page 61 noted by Director Bloom). Doctor Aldridge, Mister Layborn and other council members supported the substitute, noting a recent staff-consultant meeting on implementation and snow management as the first work-plan step.
Vote and next steps: The council adopted the substitute and then passed the resolution as amended. Council members said the memorandum of understanding between the city and the DDA will be reviewed this spring and asked the DDA to prioritize implementable steps such as garage improvements, sidewalk repairs and snow management.
Ending: Council members urged the DDA and staff to translate the plan into concrete actions and to maintain public engagement during implementation.
