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Corte Madera OKs $145,460 contract for 12-month economic strategy, names subcommittee
Summary
The town authorized a contract with Good City Company and EPS to prepare a 12-month economic strategy plan focused on urban design, financing tools and an outreach-driven market study. Vice Mayor Cassissa and Council member Andrews were appointed to an ad hoc advisory group.
Corte Madera’s Town Council voted unanimously on June 16 to authorize the community development director to execute a professional services agreement with Good City Company and Economic Planning Systems for an economic strategy plan not to exceed $145,460.
Community Development Director Amy Lyall told the council the plan will take about 12 months and combine market analysis, urban-design work and public outreach to produce an actionable list of priorities and financing options. “It will start with a deep dive on the research and the economic side…and then move into the actual strategies,” she said.
The council heard from consultants Aaron Aman and Sabina Mura of Good City Company, who described the firm’s experience in Northern California and outlined short-term actions that can follow from the plan, including zoning adjustments, streetscape improvements and programmatic partnerships. The proposal also includes stakeholder meetings, surveys and a market study to assess opportunity sites and catalytic properties. Councilmembers asked how the plan’s benefits could be quantified for taxpayers and how vacant properties such as the old movie-theater site would be addressed; consultants said the plan would identify opportunity-site strategies and potential financing tools.
Councilmembers expressed support for the scope and for engaging a small advisory group to guide outreach. The council appointed Vice Mayor Cassissa and Council member Andrews to an ad hoc economic development subcommittee to work with staff and the consultants. The motion to approve the contract and appointments passed 5–0 (Andrews, Beckman, Ravasio, Cassissa, Thomas).
Next steps: staff will finalize the agreement and begin contracting with the consultants; the plan team will launch outreach and stakeholder interviews as the first phase of work. The ad hoc group will hold several meetings over the 12-month planning process to review outreach materials and draft recommendations.
