The third and final public workshop to discuss the future of Downtown Yakima is set for Monday, September 9th in room “E” at the Yakima Convention Center. The meeting, which will begin at 6:30 pm, will provide community members with another opportunity to give input on the development of a comprehensive master plan for downtown.
Earlier this year the City hired two consulting firms to help develop strategies for downtown. Crandall Arambula, a Portland, Oregon-based urban design, architecture, and planning firm that specializes in downtown revitalization, is heading up the downtown master planning process. Thomas Consultants, an international retail strategy company headquarter in Vancouver, B.C., is responsible for crafting a retail recruitment plan.
Based on public input from two previous workshops, the City’s consultants have developed concepts related to downtown circulation and urban design. At the September 9th workshop, community members will have a chance to review and comment on key elements including creation of a Yakima Plaza and Front Street public market, traffic calming on Yakima Avenue, creating a retail (Main Street) plan, and determining future parking needs in the downtown area.
Everyone who attends the September 9th workshop will have the opportunity to vote on the various concepts using a response sheet.
“Public participation in the workshops will play a key part developing a successful approach that will lead to redevelopment and make Downtown Yakima a vibrant destination for both residents and visitors alike,” said City of Yakima Economic Development Manager Sean Hawkins. “The workshops that we’re holding are providing community members with the chance to share ideas, to ask questions, and to gain a better understanding of where Downtown Yakima might be headed”
The final master plan, along with a strategy for implementation, and the retail development strategy are expected to be completed by the end of this year.
Additional information on the Downtown Yakima Master Plan is available at on the City’s website at www.yakimawa.gov/downtown/
Contact: Yakima Economic Development Director Sean Hawkins — 575-6274
Communications & Public Affairs Director Randy Beehler – 901-1142