The Greater Downtown Area Plan was the first Area Plan in the City Planning Department’s transition from the use of neighborhood plans to area plans (Adopted 2010). The area spanned from the Downtown Airport to 31st Street and from State Line to Woodland Avenue. The diversity of neighborhoods and stakeholders involved in this planning process was striking. From the Downtown Council to the Paseo Gateway; from River Market to Crown Center, the differences in density, land use, economic strength, and day-to-day priorities were pronounced. However, our team designed a process of discovering the priorities stakeholders and residents had in common, and bringing neighborhoods together to determine a vision, goals and strategies for this area. The five primary goals that resulted were:

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1. Create a walkable downtown

2. Double the population downtown 

3. Increase employment downtown

4. Retain and promote safe, authentic neighborhoods 

5. Promote sustainability

The process also united municipal departments and created an effective implementation committee that has continued to steward the plan recommendations forward.