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Civic Area concept plan advances; debate flares over covering a 19th‑century irrigation ditch
Summary
City planners and consultants unveiled a multi‑zone Civic Area concept plan aimed at creating a more unified downtown park, enlarging the farmers market plaza and improving creek access; the design team proposed bridging one short ditch segment to create a larger lawn while maintaining water flow.
Mark Davidson, senior planning manager in Parks & Recreation, and landscape architect Shihomi Hiragawa walked PRAB through the Civic Area concept plan and explained the design drivers and phasing for a multi‑year buildout. Abby Stone, a senior urban designer with consultant firm Rios, presented four design zones (West End, Boulder Beach, East End/Festival Street and Arboretum Path) and described recommendations the team considers priority for Phase 2 construction: an expanded farmer’s market plaza on 13th Street, a larger central lawn, a nature hub pavilion with restrooms, creek‑edge access and improved wayfinding.
On the contentious question of an existing, historically important irrigation ditch, several public commenters — led by Margo Smith — urged that the ditch be retained and daylighted…
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