Title
CRA Community Vitality Report Update: What’s Left to Do?
Explanation
At the February 2017 CRA Board meeting Staff introduced the Community Vitality Report as a way to take inventory of completed projects and better understand their effects on the quality of life in the CRA Districts. The objectives of the effort are to measure the impacts of community initiatives, to gauge progress towards the redevelopment objectives, and to strengthen the ability to identify future projects with the greatest potential to contribute to community vitality. A framework was introduced that recognizes that the success of the CRA isn’t measured simply by increased property values. Instead, ‘community vitality’ is envisioned as a cumulative, long-term, multi-level outcome of redevelopment.
At the April 2017 CRA Board meeting Staff provided an update on the first stage of the Vitality Report, which was guided by the question: “What’s been done?” This was an opportunity to review all initiatives completed throughout each district and to examine which initiatives have most successfully contributed to community vitality. Through this process, it was generally observed that the most successful projects have been those that address multiple redevelopment objectives and make connections to other initiatives. It was also recognized that the size of a project does not necessarily predict success-both small and large projects can have unique, yet profound impacts on community vitality.
The current stage of this effort focuses on “What’s left to do?” By reviewing the redevelopment plans, the 2013 strategic plan, and the most recent work plan, staff has identified projects that have been proposed but not yet completed. This process is also informed by feedback received from multiple community engagement activities. A topic on the EngageGNV platform was launched to collect additional community input on how future redevelopment initiatives can contribute to community vitality (
Click here for full text