Oakdale council adopts 12th & Geneva redevelopment study as a framework

The Oakdale City Council on Oct. 14 voted unanimously to adopt the 12th & Geneva redevelopment study as a general framework, a nonbinding planning document intended to guide future redevelopment discussions in the area.

City community development staff member Max presented the report, saying, “Excited to present to you tonight the 12th And Geneva redevelopment study for approval,” and explained the report was prepared through a two-day Technical Assistance Program workshop led by the Urban Land Institute and informed by a public survey that received more than 300 responses. Max also credited the Washington County Community Development Agency for grant funding that supported the work.

Council members stressed the study should be treated as a starting point rather than a final plan. A council member told colleagues the study “is still open to public feedback” and emphasized the council would review any concrete proposals that follow. The council then moved, seconded and approved the study as a general framework.

The study highlights the area’s older commercial buildings and aims to guide public- and private-sector conversations about redevelopment, market conditions and community priorities. Council members and staff said any future projects will return to the council for formal approvals and that public engagement will continue as proposals emerge.

The council’s action does not adopt a specific development plan, zoning change or funding commitment; it establishes the study as a reference document to guide subsequent steps, including feasibility work, stakeholder outreach and potential project proposals. The item was presented during the regular council meeting; no formal vote totals beyond the unanimous ayes were recorded in the transcript.

Next steps described by staff include continued outreach, potential refinements to the framework based on community input, and return to the council should developers bring specific proposals.