Planning and Urban Design

Happening Now – Downtown Public Space Management

Staff is working with a Committee of the Downtown Commission on the development of Downtown Public Space Management Guidelines as the first section of updates to the Downtown Master Plan. The Public Space Management Committee is chaired by Andrew Fletcher and generally meets on the first Thursday of the month at 2 p.m. More information about the Downtown Commission and its Committees is here.

A survey was available between August 12 and September 23 to get feedback on how downtown public spaces (most specifically streets and sidewalks) are currently used and experienced, and to get input on what priorities should be considered in the guidelines.

Programs and issues that the guidelines will ultimately help inform may include street/sidewalk closures, street performances, push carts/vending, outdoor dining and other structures and activities that the City has the ability to manage in public areas.

A summary of survey results is available here.

Full results are available here. 

Informed by survey feedback, the Public Space Management Committee is in the process of prioritizing areas of focus and providing input on the development of guidelines.

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Downtown Master Plan Updates – Background

The Downtown Master Plan Updates will build on the Downtown Master Plan and Appendices (completed in 2009), to take a deeper dive into specific topics of focus related to the public realm. The Master Plan Updates will help address concerns about management of public spaces, enhancement of community character and expanded options for place-making. The Updates will respond to the growing popularity and number of people experiencing downtown, with goals to expand downtown vitality, facilitate local business and enhance livability while managing growing demands on downtown services and competing interests for use of space.

The Downtown Master Plan Updates will result in policy statements, best management procedures, possible UDO changes and downtown corridor/district studies to create better management guidance for downtown.

The three sections of the updates include:

I. Public Space Management

Public space management guidelines

Management framework

II. Urban Design / Ordinance Updates

UDO amendments

Zoning map amendments

Design Guideline updates

Preservation Plan recommendations

III. Corridor / District Placemaking and Streetscapes

Downtown-wide development/streetscape standards (such as lighting, signage, seating, crosswalks)

Consideration of sub-district areas that may have unique elements/standards that pertain to the character area/neighborhood of downtown such as sidewalk patterns, trees, seating and other enhanced place-making

Planning for additional green spaces in downtown in order to enhance quality of life and quality experiences

 

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Contact Information

Dana Frankel, Downtown Specialist
828-251-4051

Todd Okolichany, Planning and Urban Design Director
828-259-5840