Downtown Advisory Committee

MINUTES Downtown Master Plan Advisory Committee Wednesday, December 3, 2014, 6:30 p.m. Carbondale Civic Center 200 South Illinois Avenue Mr. Langowski called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m. Members Present: Bleyer, Bukowski, Carter, Cole, Colombo, Gorton, Gregory, Langowski, Miller, Ramseyer, Dr. Reddy, Schachel, Stevens Members Absent: Boeckman, Clow, Sheffer, Sigler, Terry Staff Present: Baity, Price, Williams ______________________________________________________________________________ Approximately 50 persons in attendance. 1) Bring to order: J. Langowski made his opening remarks. 2) Approval of minutes: J. Langowski asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the November 12th, 2014, meeting. A. Miller made the motion and D. Gorton seconded the motion and all were in favor. 3) Introductory Remarks: J. Langowski made introductory remarks and discussed the architectural student’s project that was on display. The students spent the semester reimagining downtown. They have provided their work to us to help the consultants get started. J. Langowski reviewed where the committee’s reports and minutes could be found on the City website. During the eight meetings the committee has hosted, over 230 unique ideas were presented. If the survey done by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute is included, that number of ideas jumps to over 5,000. The committee narrowed those ideas down into 30 suggestions that contained the majority of the comments. A vision statement places all stake holders on the same page and allows them to work toward a common goal. J. Langowski introduced the four members of the steering committee for the Downtown Advisory Committee. They were; Meghan Cole, Maria Bukowski, D. Gorton, and Jack Langowski. He also stated that a downtown sidewalk survey had been completed and 1 would be included in the final report to the City Council. J. Langowski introduced John Washburn (Facilitator) to continue the meeting. J. Washburn (Facilitator) stated the committee used the comments to define overall problems and to ensure ideas and meanings are conveyed in a clear and concise manner. He reviewed the top 5 ideas from each meeting, then identified the top 7 or 8 core themes from those. He then discussed the types of vision statements and concluded with a presentation and discussion of a proposed vision statement offered by the steering group. J. Washburn (Facilitator) covered the top five ideas from each meeting. Transportation 1. Create a business route 51 and a Highway 51. Make them both two- way. 2. Create a multi-modal transportation center. 3. Build a downtown parking garage. 4. Create a bicycle friendly community. 5. Have pedestrian friendly streets. Business Development 1. Code enforcement/revision. 2. Façade rehabilitation (beautification). 3. Expand the codes to support outdoor cafes. 4. Deal with IDOT issues. 5. Move the farmer’s market and other local activities to the downtown area. SIU/SIH/Neighborhood interfaces 1. Establish a downtown Hotel. 2. Housing (condos/apartments) downtown. 3. Have a wireless network downtown –Gigabit City. 4. Address the Mill Street interchange between downtown and campus. 5. Enforce landlords taking care of property. 6. Connect campus with downtown and other areas. Signage and streetscapes 1. Bury the utility lines in the downtown area. 2. Take care of major infrastructure issues. 3. Use appropriate lighting in the downtown area. 4. “Way Finding” directional signage and technology. 5. Adopt the Complete Streets Program. Art and Entertainment 1. Form an Arts and Entertainment coalition. 2. Expand public art in downtown, possibly interactive. 3. Need a specific area in downtown to host events. 4. Embrace Carbondale’s role as the entertainment capital of Southern 2  Illinois. 5. Museum downtown-piggyback off SIU. Economic, Civic, and Neighborhood Viability 1. Comprehensive review of city codes – education – assure compliance- don’t sacrifice safety. 2. Slow down traffic through downtown 3. Assure responsibility of business owners to improve their buildings (civic responsibility) 4. Farmers market 5. Bucky Path –walk and bike. J. Washburn (Facilitator) then discussed the core themes for the committee. 1. Infrastructure should be addressed; two-way traffic on 51, a better plan for the Mill Street intersection, buried utility lines, and lighting are fundamental to any other changes in the downtown. 2. Parking, way-finding, sidewalks, and crosswalk issues must be addressed, with Complete Street principles. 3. A multimodal transportation center should be built, and we should promote a safe and accessible environment. 4. A review of, and public guide to, regulations and codes is mandatory. 5. Branding of the downtown with festivals, farmers markets, parks, walking and bike paths, music venues, and entertainment spots is needed with an eye to the uniqueness of Carbondale. 6. New housing, hotels, and other facilities that will enhance the medical centers and SIU are needed, with world-class digital access. A general cleaning up and beautification of the district is needed. 7. Development of an Arts and Entertainment Coalition, a downtown museum, and public art is key. J. Washburn (Facilitator) discussed the four different kinds of vision statements. 1. Externally-focused and narrow in scope 2. Externally-focused and broad in scope 3. Internally-focused and narrow in scope 4. Internally-focused and broad in scope J. Washburn (Facilitator) identified and gave an example of each. He stated the vision statement for downtown Carbondale is an “Internally-focused and broad in scope” statement. 3 J. Washburn (Facilitator) discussed the difference between a tag line and a vision statement. J. Washburn (Facilitator) presented a draft vision statement for the committee’s discussion and approval. The committee and the public discussed minor changes to the draft statement and a consensus was reached. The following statement is the proposed vision statement. “Downtown Carbondale is the soul of our college town where commerce, culture, and community converge. With a distinct sense of place, the downtown celebrates a rich heritage. It is a mix of business, dining, arts, entertainment, lodging, housing, and recreation. Downtown is vibrant and creative in a beautiful, safe, and sustainable setting. It is inviting for all ages and cultures within a technologically advanced world-class community.” J. Langowski asked for a motion to adopt the above stated vision statement. A. Miller moved to adopt the vision statement. M. Bukowski seconded the motion. D. Gorton asked if the public had any comments before they voted. There were no comments. The committee voted and all were in favor. J. Langowski reviewed upcoming events for the committee. He then asked for a motion to adjourn the meeting. A. Miller motioned to adjourn the meeting. D. Gorton seconded the motion and all were in favor. J. Langowski closed the meeting at 7:45 p.m. 4