Title
Explanation & Attachments
Report
Staff Contact:
Amy Buckler, Senior Planner, Community Planning & Development, (360) 570-5847, abuckler@ci.olympia.wa.us
Background:
We have just completed step 2 of the process to form Olympia's Downtown Strategy (attachment 1), and a framework to guide future steps has taken shape.
REVIEW GUIDING FRAMEWORK
On April 26, the City Council held a study session with the staff and consultant team to review the draft framework that has taken shape to guide future steps. The presentation was well-received by the City Council, and the Council will provide any additional direction at their business meeting on May 10.
The framework (attachments 4, 5 & 6) reflects priorities that have evolved out of the public input and analysis completed thus far. The character areas have been well vetted with the community and provide a picture of the unique function and character people to be created or enhanced in various areas of downtown - a more objective vision upon which to build implementation steps. The chart represents a work in progress, what tasks are yet to be completed in 2016 and some potential actions for future years that have arisen from the process. The draft transportation investment map (attachment 7) provides guidance when forming design concepts for streets, and sets the stage for an anticipated traffic study, potential future capital investments and for taking advantage of opportunities as they arise, such as grants or partnerships.
Updates have also been made to the set of guiding framework maps first shared with the work group in March (attachment 6). As the strategy evolves and 2016 steps are completed, these maps will be updated to reflect the priority steps for the next 6 years and will be included as a visual element within the Downtown Strategy.
At the Stakeholder Work Group meeting, staff will present an overview the framework. The aim of the presentation is to demonstrate how all the v...
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