YAKIMA DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN REPORT ACTION STEP SUMMARY - November 2013 ________________________________________ The Yakima Downtown Master Plan Report identifies essential concepts for land use, transportation and design issues, a retail strategy and implementation framework for the core commercial area of the Central Business District along Yakima Avenue and the surrounding vicinity. Establishing implementation momentum early has been identified as a critical component to success. This summary provides an over-view of the essential tasks and projects. ________________________________________ ACTION STEPS 1. Initiate Plaza as the Game-Changer. Develop scope of work for consultant and initiate the Request for Proposals (RFQ) process to produce a detailed design for the plaza. Use Downtown Plan Implementation Committee in process. Review design alternatives and select preferred design. Review phasing plans, if any. Consider Economic Feasibility analysis. Bid documents/process and construction will be later phase. Expected Budget for Design of Plaza: $145,000. Timeframe: 1st Q 2014 2. Appoint Implementation Committee and Retail Task Force members. The Implementation Committee is proposed to have 9 to 12 citizens and the 3 Council members on the Built Environment Committee. The Retail Task Force will likely have 9 to 12 citizens and the use the 3 Council Members on the Economic Development Committee. Expected Budget for Committees: $10,000 Timeframe: Appoint Immediately 3. Implement Retail Marketing Outreach effort. One of the principal strategies for attracting new retail investments involves participating in priority conferences and events, as well as promotional material Expected Budget for Retail Marketing: $25,000 annually. If Economic Development funds are available, the budget may be increased to $40,000 annually. Timeframe: 1st Q 2014 4. Short and Long Term Parking Strategy and Study. Replacement strategies for parking spaces that will be displaced by the plaza include some low-cost options that require restriping and new signage. The paving of a new parking lot requires funding. Upgrade of the Dragon Inn Structure and a new 3rd Street ramp facility into the former Yakima Mall parking garage are longer term projects for employee or event parking needs. The parking study will also review a market strategy for parking. Expected Budget for Parking Changes: TBD Expected Budget for Parking Study: $25,000 Timeframe: Re-stripe CBD 3rd Q 2014, Study 2nd Q 2014 5. Conduct a Market Feasibility Study for Public Market and Downtown Plan Projects. Contract professional services of an urban economist to develop recommendations related to the appropriate size of a public market, assess market demand for the public market. This analysis will include an economic review of overall project elements, implementation issues, expected economic benefits and performance benchmarks. The timing, phasing and scope of necessary public and private investment will be analyzed Expected Budget Market Feasibility Study: $50,000 Timeframe: 2nd Q 2015 6. Prepare Downtown Subarea Plan for Comprehensive Plan Amendment and develop SEPA Strategy. Using materials developed in the public process of the Downtown Master Plan Report prepared by Crandall Arambula (October 2013) and the Retail Strategy prepared by Thomas Consultants (October 2013) as well as Council direction and public comments, staff will prepare a Downtown Yakima Subarea Plan as an amendment to the Yakima Urban Area Comprehensive Plan. This Subarea Plan is required for consistency reviews. Expected Budget for Subarea Plan: existing city staff resources Timeframe: Begin 1st Q 2014 7. Design Standards/Guidelines. The development of a set of guidelines that provide a framework for maintaining and improving the urban character of downtown, without dictating or prescribing a specific style or theme. The guidelines would be the primary tool for design review process of all new projects or modifications and would address pedestrian emphasis, architecture, lighting and signage. Expected Budget to develop Design Guidelines: $75,000 Timeframe: Begin 1st Q 2015 8. Zoning/Regulatory Amendments. Clarify and strengthen essential permitted use types, site design and improvement standards in the Central Business District. Align current code to the Downtown Master Plan elements. Consider a Downtown Overlay process, adjustments to mixed use standards, floor area ratio standards, parking adjustments to the parking exempt area. Expected Budget: May be included in Design Standards Timeframe: Begin 1st Q 2015 9. Yakima Avenue Boulevard Project. The goal for Yakima Avenue is to create a boulevard atmosphere that is more pedestrian friendly. The Modifications to Yakima Avenue are proposed to occur over several phases. Phase 1 of Yakima Avenue improvements would include a green median area from Front Street to Naches Avenue. Expected Budget for Yakima Avenue Median Plan: $65,000 Timeframe: Begin 3rd Q 2015 10. Street Standards for Downtown. A specific set of development standards for public improvements within the Downtown Area will ensure that all new or modified projects construct a unified and consistent frontage, sidewalk and fixtures. Much of the design work has been completed for the existing Yakima Avenue. Standards need to be articulated and fine-tuned. Expected Budget for Street Design Standards: $25,000 Timeframe: Begin 1st Q 2016 11. Chestnut Avenue/Retail Frontage improvements. Engineering design study for street improvements to Chestnut Avenue related to the Retail Main Street” on Chestnut between Front Street and 3rd Street. Expected Budget for Street Design Study: $50,000 Timeframe: Begin 3rd Q 2015
Posted on: Thu, 21 Nov 2013 01:20:51 +0000
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