.Title
Downtown Community Plaza (B)
Explanation
The Downtown Community Plaza has the potential to function as a successful, well-used public place. In fact, it shares many characteristics with some of the world's best public squares, including:
* Easy accessibility by transit, automobile, bicycle, and foot traffic
* Central location in the heart of Downtown
* Proximity to a mixture of high-traffic uses (offices, residences courthouse, restaurants, new hotel)
* Excellent functionality during programmed events (Farmers Market, concert series, etc.)
However despite these strengths, the Plaza fails to live up to its potential as a great community gathering place. While the space is extremely successful and highly utilized during special events, it is otherwise extremely unsuccessful and void of activity. As part of an ongoing process, the DRAB is examining the Plaza to determine how to improve the health and vitality of this important civic square. Throughout this exercise, CRA will not be utilizing a "project approach" to improve the Plaza. In order to achieve lasting success the Plaza improvement strategy must be place-driven, because the ultimate goal of this exercise is to create a usable place, not to merely formulate a design. Indeed, previous project-driven approaches have resulted in the insertion and deletion of a variety of design elements throughout the Plaza's lifetime, yet none of those efforts succeeded in solving underlying problems with the Plaza's functionality as a civic space.
As a first step in understanding the issues at play at the Plaza, Staff and DRAB examined various models and examples from similar spaces around the country and the world. This exercise was designed to provide a better understanding of the elements common to lively, well-used public plazas, as well as those elements shared by dysfunctional spaces. Now that DRAB has established a fundamental understanding of public spaces, the group can apply this knowledge to local conditions at the Plaza in order to understand what features of the space contribute to its success, and which contribute to its disuse. (This discussion and analysis will occur at the December 17th DRAB meeting.)
At future sessions, Staff/DRAB will utilize this analysis to formulate a mission/statement of goals for the Plaza, as well as a statement of the character of the place. This foundation will be essential before use-related planning activities can occur. The Plaza's form must support its function, so it is critical to first understand and identify the nature of the civic plaza, how the community will use the space, and the desired activities at the Plaza. Subsequent to that understanding, the CRA can begin planning to provide the amenities necessary to support those desired activities.
Fiscal Note
$188,149.49 is budgeted in General Government account 332-M660-5190. The CRA is authorized to utilize these funds for Bethel and Plaza improvements.
Recommendation
The CRA hear presentation from staff and provide input as necessary.