Council reviews draft Rucker Boulevard corridor plan, staff urges focus on western 'A' area

City staff presented a draft Rucker Boulevard corridor plan and asked the Enterprise City Council to review it for possible adoption at a future meeting. City Planner Tim Milstead said the plan, roughly 60 pages, targets improved mobility, enhanced business nodes and stabilization of adjacent neighborhoods and recommended the council begin implementation in the plan's 'A' area, from Bowl Weevil Circle to Dixie Drive.

"The highest priority for this plan would start at the west end of the corridor," Tim Milstead said, noting concepts for multimodal improvements, a proposed Rucker Boulevard connector and potential bike and pedestrian facilities east of Freedom Drive. The plan also includes design suggestions for commercial nodes, lighting, signage and "gathering and event spaces" within large parking areas to boost downtown activity.

Milstead walked council through nine code-change tie-ins staff proposes to support implementation, including adjustments to frontage-road standards, traffic-impact study thresholds and landscaping minimums. He also described a blight-elimination program already active in the corridor and said public-infrastructure investments would be prioritized in older western neighborhoods.

The plan frames potential funding approaches, including tax-increment or similar financing mechanisms, and asks the council to provide guidance on which zones to prioritize. Staff recommended the council consider introducing the plan for adoption at the next regular meeting so that staff could direct the first dollars toward specific subareas.

Council members asked for time to review the emailed draft and noted they would return with comments at a future meeting. No formal vote on the plan was taken at the session.