Development Services outlines Main Street plan and acquisition priorities for East Park Avenue

Development Services staff presented a conceptual plan on Aug. 4 asking the Community Redevelopment Agency board to prioritize land purchases and direction for creating a Main Street on East Park Avenue.

The presentation, delivered by Development Services staff, laid out property targets identified from a Kimley‑Horn survey and a 2008 study and noted that the city has already purchased 104 North Park Place and has 114 North Riverside Drive under contract. "Since then, city staff have purchased 104 North Park Place and we have under contract, 114 North Riverside Drive," the presenter said, summarizing acquisitions and the parcels staff wants to prioritize next.

Why it matters: the CRA has a limited remaining lifespan, and staff said prioritizing vacant parcels that are most likely to appreciate will best use taxpayer funds while preserving single-family homes where possible. Staff estimated roughly $6.8 million could be available from CRA funds before the final CRA year to build downtown, and noted an additional $1.4 million might be available if façade grants were paused in a later fiscal year.

Details of the concept include diagonal parking, widened sidewalks, large plantings and a small number of buildings to maintain a smaller-scale, nature-oriented Main Street consistent with existing residential height limits east of U.S. 1. Staff also flagged topography and drainage as design constraints: the site’s high point sits between Wilkinson and the police station, with drainage dropping toward the river. The presenter said the current city hall site could logically host stormwater infrastructure and that staff will engage historic-preservation officials about Dr. Hawk’s house, which the plan intends to preserve.

Staff showed examples (including Bar Harbor, Maine) and sketched a phased implementation that would allow the city to assemble parcels incrementally rather than sell all land at once. The presenter described undergrounding utilities on Riverside and Park Avenue and proposed selecting a form‑based code with public feedback to regulate building form and create a consistent architectural identity.

Reaction from board members was mixed. One committee member said they were "taken aback" and concerned about buying private homes in their district and said some residents are unlikely to sell; another committee member expressed support for moving toward a long-term goal even if the timeline shifts. The chair and staff noted the idea traces to earlier studies back to 2008 and said the Kimley‑Horn work and other materials would be provided for fuller council review.

Next steps: staff said they will continue property purchases around City Hall and will return with a more detailed recommendation and budget discussion; the chair suggested holding a special meeting with resident comment to refine the vision and next actions.