Sustainable Neighborhoods: Downtown

Create a vibrant cohesive downtown character that diversifies the urban fabric, reconnects east and west, and accommodates key civic, business, and cultural resources.

Priorities from Public Feedback

• Diversify downtown commercial profile
• Densify medical district
• Improve pedestrian connections
• Convert 4th street to pedestrian or transit corridor
• Invest in a “signature street” along 1st Avenue
• Support farmers market expansion
• Reinvest in library as an important civic resource
• Support local businesses to rebuild and reinvest
• Replace relocated civic facilities downtown within a vibrant dynamic commercial environment
• Invest in cultural/arts corridor along 3rd Street

Downtown Development Opportunities

• Locate and develop multi-modal transit hub in conjunction with phased development of transit infrastructure.
• Activate riverfront park with vibrant local market place for regular farmer’s market, as well as periodic artisan and cultural fairs and festivals.
• Develop a vibrant mixed-use district around a new civic center that consolidates civic services
• Create a “Downtown U” that fosters community gathering and learning.
• Diversify retail-commercial profile of the business district to activate street edges and create a vibrant “destination downtown”
• Create signature street along 1st Avenue
• Maintain and support existing cultural facilities on 3rd Avenue and connect to cultural arts corridor along 3rd Street
• Develop street hierarchy consistent with adjacent land uses to locate appropriate parking resources, improve streetscape, and create a more walkable downtown.
• Improve pedestrian infrastructure and streetscapes Add urban housing options to promote 24/7 activity.
• Densify medical district to create vibrancy.