Title
Downtown Community Plaza (B)
Explanation
The Lunch box Café is moving forward. The lease is being routed for execution, construction plans are complete and the contractor has applied for the building permit. The CRA is pursing an expedited building permit for this project, and assuming the application is processed in a timely manner, site mobilization and construction will begin in late December. This construction schedule will allow for project completion in late February, with a Grand Opening soon to follow.
The CRA is also considering the Plaza as a whole. Through a series of discussions, stakeholders have identified elements of the Plaza which contribute both positively and negatively to function of the space. With the help of design professionals, the CRA is using this information to explore new possibilities for the site and its relationship to the adjacent downtown area. Two design teams have provided suggestions for the Plaza. Both the Plaza and these concepts are being evaluated by a third party reviewer with expertise in urban design. Staff will provide a presentation detailing the findings, and will summarize the challenges and opportunities of the Plaza, including the significance of the role that a public plaza plays in a downtown and how it both influences and is influenced by the surrounding context. The presentation will also analyze the challenges and opportunities associated with reconfiguring the Plaza, and identify specific issues that will impact the future design, and provide imagery to help explain the issue.
Fiscal Note
$138,587.18 is budgeted in General Government account 332-M660-5190. The CRA is authorized to utilize these funds for Bethel and Plaza improvements.
Recommendation
1) Hear presentation from Staff; 2) Provide input as necessary.