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Council reviews proposed 2026 downtown strategic options; staff recommends steering committee
Summary
City staff presented three paths for downtown vitality—continue façade grants, hire consultants for planning, or form a downtown steering committee to guide a 3–5 year strategy. Council emphasized broad stakeholder engagement and ordinance review before major spending.
City staff presented a three-option framework for a 2026 downtown strategic plan and recommended forming a downtown steering committee to guide a 3–5 year strategy. Presenter Steve told the council that the city allocated $50,000 this year toward downtown vitality through the DREDC and said downtown "generates a disproportionately large share of our property tax value." He described three paths: spend the $50,000 on façade grants and acquisitions; hire consultants for planning and ordinance review; or create a steering committee, bank part of the funds pending a refined vision, begin ordinance review and pursue phased implementation.
Steve said the preferred option would include property inventories, expanded façade guidelines and ordinance changes to encourage upper-story housing and discourage long-term vacancies. He asked the council if they were "opening to exploring these kinds of tools" including vacant-building registration and zoning adjustments. Council members repeatedly urged extensive public engagement, naming businesses and community groups they wanted included in the outreach. No formal action was taken at the study session; staff said proposals would return to the council later in ordinance or resolution form.
