Jonesboro council approves $855,000 contract for comprehensive growth and master street plan

The Jonesboro City Council voted 10-2 on Aug. 19 to contract with Portland-based DPZ CoDesign for a comprehensive growth plan and a master street plan at a purchase price of $855,000, funded by American Rescue Plan Act restricted revenue replacement funds.

City planning staff said the city’s last comprehensive growth plan was completed in 1998 and that the master street plan and related studies have not been updated in recent years. The contract was approved following a request-for-qualifications process and a referral from the Jonesboro MIPC Commission.

Planning staff member Daryl said the last master street plan update was in 2018 and the land-use plan was completed in 2017, and noted a comprehensive plan “was done in 1998.” Daryl added that the typical horizon for a comprehensive plan is 20 to 25 years and communities generally begin reviewing a plan after about 15 years. “So it's definitely time to update this,” Daryl said.

Council members pressed city staff on timing and funding. One council member asked for the remaining ARPA balance; city staff replied that the report provided at the prior meeting showed an ARPA balance of $1,536,000, and that approving the DPZ contract would reduce that balance. Another council member asked whether ongoing and near-term projects — including Caraway Road and Prospect Road improvements — were being considered and whether trails and connectivity would be included; staff replied that “everything will be included in the document.”

Some council comments and public remarks raised the timing of the contract relative to an impact-fee study whose results were expected within days. A council member noted the city should consider the impending impact-fee study and multiple active roadway projects before proceeding; another council member suggested the 18-to-24-month consultant timeline would mean the city will look different by the time the plan is completed.

The resolution authorizes the mayor and the city clerk to execute documents needed to contract with DPZ CoDesign, 7435 NE Halsey Street, Portland, Oregon 97213, and to amend the 2025 professional services budget for the planning department to appropriate ARPA restricted revenue replacement funds for the project. The staff presentation said DPZ was chosen through a qualifications process as the most qualified applicant.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution to contract with DPZ CoDesign for a comprehensive growth plan and master street plan (purchase price $855,000; funding: ARPA restricted revenue replacement funds): Approved, 10-2. - Ordinance 25-02-6 (approval of a bridal/beer/wine/permit for Slate Association d/b/a Rock and Roll Sushi): Carried (final vote count not specified in the transcript). - Ordinance 25-02-7 (zoning change from I-2 to C-3 for property at 500 N. Culverhouse St.): Carried (final vote count not specified in the transcript).

Council and staff said the planning process will include public engagement such as ward meetings, open houses and stakeholder committees; staff said the consultant’s outreach cycle emphasizes “inform, propose, discuss, revise.” At least one council member urged the city to ensure consistent application of development rules during the planning and permitting process.

The contract and budget amendment are expected to begin the formal planning process, which staff said will take roughly 18 to 24 months to complete. The council did not specify an implementation timeline beyond the consultant’s projected schedule.