Agenda Item Number 3 for January 7,2014
http://www.lawrenceks.org/assets/agenda ... genda.html 3. Receive the recommendations from the joint HRC/PC discussions regarding the issues outlined in the 11/29/12 Downtown Redevelopment Issues & Opportunities Memo. Staff Memo & Attachments Staff Memo - 06/20/13 HRC Minutes - 06/20/13 Correspondence
Concern:
We request that the City engage in strategic planning, and create a Downtown
Corridor Study that addresses more than just redevelopment. We believe that the City
has an opportunity, now, to consider the following facets of our Downtown:
Need for Strategic Planning:
• Current vacancy rates of retail, office, and residential properties Downtown
• Desired services and products that may be missing but needed Downtown
• The viability of shared, incubator and small spaces for startup entrepreneurs
• Options for providing affordable housing Downtown
• The creation of small play areas with benches and natural, low-maintenance
landscaping elements that encourage family-friendly downtown space
• Safer pedestrian friendly river access
• The creation of a more environmentally sustainable Downtown, to include
additional bike parking and safe, well-marked pedestrian crossings; recycling
and trash receptacles; planters with edible plants on New Hampshire and
Vermont streets; low energy lighting; more open green space and permeable
surfaces where possible;