The Downtown Plan process kicked off last winter with the selection of Design Workshop, Inc. as the project consultant. A 14 member citizens Working Group was recruited to work with the city and consultants while representing a broad spectrum of downtown business, property, community and cultural interests. The Working Group hosted the initial round of public workshops on April 11.
While the April public workshops only attracted 35 participants, the on-line survey received 634 individual responses in late April and early May. The Working Group met again in June to discuss the input from the survey.
A second set of public open houses was held at the Steamboat Art Museum on July 12. Those meetings were attended by approximately 57 persons.
Based on the input of the public and the Working Group (see plan appendix) Design Workshop submitted an initial draft document for public review and vetting on September 10. The Plan addresses a broad vision for downtown with specific discussion of Land Use and Zoning, Connectivity, Parking and Mobility, Art, Culture and Heritage and the Character of the Built Environment.
The Working Group will reconvene with the consultants to provide comments and direction on September 20. Pending the outcome of the Working Group meeting and agreement on final direction we will schedule a work session and public hearing with the Planning Commission and subsequently, the same at City Council.
The public is strongly encouraged to provide input in this process through feedback on the web site as well as attendance at public discussions.