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Crescent City approves Phase 1 of downtown master plan despite federal grant pause
Summary
Council authorized a $134,000 phase-1 contract with consultants to develop a downtown master plan and marketing package for grant applications, using existing city match funds and limited reallocations while federal EDA funding remains paused.
The City of Crescent City on a unanimous vote authorized Phase 1 of a downtown master plan and associated contract work intended to make downtown revitalization "shovel ready" for future grant funding. Staff said the contract totals $134,000 and is being phased so the city can spend its portion now while awaiting potential federal (EDA) and CDBG funding.
City Manager and staff explained the financing package: $94,000 in previously identified city match (including $30,000 from an economic-resiliency award and $64,000 in defederalized CDBG program income), $18,000 available in the current economic-development budget to begin a market analysis before June 30, and $22,000 for the RV-park portion (of which $10,000 is available this fiscal year and $12,000 is requested in next year's budget). Staff said moving now preserves consultant availability and produces a market-ready package to pursue larger implementation grants later.
Consultant Don Ramblu described Phase 1 scope as background analysis, market and land-use assessment, streetscape review in a core downtown "hub," stakeholder interviews and a visioning workshop; he estimated completion in three to four months and said the deliverable will include a concise marketing packet for grant applications. The scope also adds alternatives for Lighthouse Cove RV Park to coordinate downtown and waterfront planning.
Council members asked about timing for community outreach and whether summer schedules would limit public participation; consultants said background work and stakeholder interviews will start immediately with visioning workshops tentatively planned for August or September. Public comment urged ambitious revitalization and better curb appeal along U.S. 101.
Council directed the city manager to execute the contract and approved associated budget adjustments to reallocate the $64,000 CIP match and authorize the one-time use of available economic-development and RV-park funds to begin Phase 1.
