DRAFT: Recommended Goals and Objectives Toward a Thriving, Vibrant, & Resilient Waukon

Transcription

1 DRAFT: Recmmended Gals and Objectives Tward a Thriving, Vibrant, & Resilient Waukn MARCH 13, 2014

2 Purpse f the dcument This dcument is intended t assist Waukn residents in identifying specific initiatives r issues that they wuld like t pursue and include in the actin plan. Upn cmpletin f this stage f the planning prcess, a radmap fr the next stage will emerge that will prvide the grup with cncrete and detailed infrmatin abut what t d next in the shrt, medium and lng- term. The recmmended gals and bjectives are suggestins made t smthly transitin frm a large pl f infrmatin and ideas t a mre structured set f brad gals and specific bjectives. The grup is encuraged t spend time discussing the brad gals first. Once there is unanimus agreement n the list f gals, a priritizatin exercise will select the tp gals, the number t be determined by the Waukn grup. Upn cmpletin f this, the grup needs t fcus n the specific bjectives under each f the priritized and selected gals. At this pint, the grup decides either t adpt the entire set f bjectives r t g thrugh anther rund f priritizatin t select a certain number f bjectives. Prject Objective The main bjective f this Waukn Visining prject is t partner with the City f Waukn t develp a strategic plan fr cmmunity and ecnmic develpment. Iwa State University s rle in this prject is t prvide technical assistance and facilitate the planning prcess in rder t identify and priritize gals fr creating an actin plan. Backgrund Waukn residents are extremely prud f their cmmunity, especially their schl system, husing availability, wellness center, healthcare services, and agriculture. The city and regin als attract visitrs and peple driving thrugh twn, cntributing t the lcal ecnmy in significant ways. There is, hwever, a widespread perceptin that the city has nt created a well- defined identity prtraying Waukn s strengths, assets, and unique qualities.

3 Waukn Visining 3 What has happened s far? Cmmunities t Cmmunity in partnership with a representative grup frm Waukn has cllected, analyzed, and presented relevant sci- ecnmic data and cmmunity survey results. Fcus grups were als cnducted t factr in diverse perspectives in key areas and n critical issues. In additin, the ISU Cmmunity Design Lab studied spatial characteristics f the city and regin and an Interir Design studi prvided selected retail businesses with interir design ptins. The prcess has helped us understand Waukn s ecnmy, scial cmpsitin and needs, and identified the cmmunity s assets, strengths, and pprtunities. What d we d next? The next step in the Waukn Visining prcess is t use the infrmatin we have cllected and needs we have identified t craft an actin plan t help create an identity fr Waukn. This can make it an even mre attractive and prsperus rural cmmunity. Develping this actin plan has the fllwing cmpnents: 1. Identify and priritize key gals r themes that will eventually lead t the desired utcmes. 2. Under each theme r gal, identify and priritize specific bjectives that need t be achieved t realize the gals. The recmmendatins presented here are a culminatin f everything that has gne int r emerged ut f the prcess during the varius stages and every effrt has been made t include input frm all parties invlved. The recmmendatins als include elements that we believe will be helpful in successfully implementing the actin plan and realizing the specific initiatives listed under the brad gals. We believe that implementatin will be mre effective if mre individuals and entities are drawn int the prcess. Actin grups will start t be created fllwing the identificatin and priritizatin f gals and strategies. These grups shuld cntinue t enrll new members and these grups must wrk with pen minds with respect t strategies being adpted in rder t mve frward. What will r will nt wrk is hard t predict; we suggest that the actin grups be flexible and cntinually evaluate ptential ptins t ensure prgress is being made. The gal f these recmmendatins is t create a strategic framewrk that can prvide directin fr creating a mre vibrant and thriving Waukn.

4 Shuld the stakehlders desire it, Iwa State University welcmes the pprtunity t be assciated with develping and implementing actin steps depending n the types f initiatives being undertaken. This will allw us t measure utcmes and bserve types f impacts as a result f the strategic actins being taken while prviding technical assistance fr the cmmunity. Observatins The majr bjective f the cllabrative prject is brad cmmunity and ecnmic develpment fr the City f Waukn. Our recmmendatins are based n a cre set f unique bservatins derived frm ur research int and interactins with Waukn as well as sme general cmmunity and ecnmic develpment guidelines: 1. Waukn shuld build n its ecnmic strengths, abundance f existing natural capital, and its excellent healthcare and schl systems. 2. Waukn needs t use its existing assets and capacities t target grwth in selected areas. 3. Waukn needs t create an identity r brand that is unique, based n existing advantages, and ffers ptential fr sustained grwth. 4. Waukn shuld integrate design and sci- ecnmic elements t make Waukn an attractive (quality f life fr residents, alluring t visitrs) and sustainable (in a multi- dimensinal sense ecnmic, financial, envirnmental etc.) cmmunity in the future. 5. Recmmendatins will nt nly fcus n Waukn but will include reginal cmpnents, requiring partnerships with ther cities in the regin fr the benefit f all cmmunities. Fr example, the natural capital that the regin has ffers great ptential fr building r strengthening multi- city r multi- cunty partnerships. This culd als prvide greater ptential t access federal r state funding. 6. Waukn needs t create gals that will have shrt- term, medium- term and lng- term impacts. 7. Fr each identified gal/bjective, effrt shuld be made t indicate ptential surces f funding fr implementing varius initiatives.

5 Waukn Visining 5 Recmmended Gals Six majr gals were identified based n bservatins and data analyses. The Waukn cmmunity shuld priritize these gals accrding t ptential impacts and current needs: Increase cmmunity engagement Sustain and grw the ecnmy Revitalize Dwntwn Waukn Imprve built and technlgical infrastructure Build upn and retain existing strengths and assets Prmte Waukn as an attractive destinatin and cmmunity Increase Cmmunity Engagement Grw the Ecnmy Imprve Infrastructure Revitalize Dwntwn Build n Strengths & Assets Prmte as an Attractive Destinatin Gals are brad and are presented in bld. Belw each gal are its respective bjectives and strategies. Objectives are mre specific and need t be realized t attain a gal (bullet list with letters, i.e. a). Strategies are actin items that will lead t achieving each f the bjectives (bullet list ); these are t be included nce gals and bjectives are priritized.

6 Increase cmmunity engagement in Waukn a. Create actin grups fr gals and bjectives b. Create participatry budgeting and planning prcesses c. Create r expand grant writing grup d. Create an initiative fr events and celebratins e. Identify and recruit additinal cmmunity leaders t supprt, spearhead initiatives Sustain and grw the ecnmy a. Create an initiative t increase prductivity f existing business Cnduct a needs assessment survey fr existing businesses City and business spnsred training in specific areas invlving lcal businesses in manufacturing and service b. Create an initiative t expand capture f retail dllars Imprve retail design Innvative pricing c. Educate retail businesses n strategies fr increasing prfitability, custmer retentin City supprted seminars by netwrking with Iwa educatinal institutins and ther cnsulting grups d. Attract new retail, manufacturing, and healthcare business City/Cunty initiative fr retaining and attracting businesses t sustain and expand ecnmic activity thrugh tax incentives Initiative t imprve bradband cnnectivity and cellphne cverage Identify apprpriate lcatins fr varius business types t ensure cntinuity with ther gals e. Fster and nurture entrepreneurship Initiative t prvide necessary supprt t start- up businesses using a mentring prgram Business incubatr in unused dwntwn buildings f. Create venture capital fund t incentivize existing business expansin and fund start- ups Revitalize dwntwn Waukn a. Initiate a business wners assciatin t cllabrate n dwntwn retail initiatives b. Create dwntwn design standards Identify key qualities desired fr dwntwn, leading t standards that may include: facades and signage standards, energy efficiency standards t reduce utility csts fr wners and tenants, strm water management t prevent flding, and streetscaping c. Address issue f unused buildings by creating pprtunities fr temprary building uses d. Prmte dwntwn t shppers, investrs, new residents, new businesses, turists, and thers City website develpment t present a thriving and attractive dwntwn Turism prmtin in the regin Engagement with reginal netwrks, partners

7 Waukn Visining 7 e. Create tax incentives and abatements fr existing and prspective businesses f. Create an initiative fr dwntwn events and celebratins Imprve Waukn built and technlgical infrastructure a. Create plan fr city street imprvements and maintenance b. Create initiative t expand and maintain sidewalks c. Imprve traffic flw t minimize, reduce disruptin t lcal residents d. Imprve public buildings appearance and energy efficiency e. Imprve and expand bradband cnnectivity and cellphne cverage f. Imprve cmmunity cnnectivity Imprve pedestrian, bicycle cnnectins t ther parts f the city Imprve cnnectins t reginal recreatinal amenities, e.g. distance bike rutes Imprve cnnectin between medical zne and retail Evaluate traffic flws, particularly trucks g. Imprve strm water management with initial fcus n dwntwn as a key pint f cnvergence h. Demnstrate innvative systems in visible areas Fr example, change a large parking nly asphalt lt t a multi- use space with permeable paving and plantings Build upn and retain existing Waukn strengths and assets a. Sustain and grw healthcare services Evaluate existing physical plant including access, parking, adjacent buildings Develp future plan fr ptential additins, e.g. medical ffice building Increase cnnectivity with dwntwn b. Cllabrate with schl district n a cmmunity- wide initiative t imprve the schl system Merit recgnitin initiative fr students and teachers Intrduce new mentring prgrams Public- private partnership t ffer real- wrld business and wrk experiences t students Expand the lcal cmmunity cllege with a separate infrastructure c. Prmte and integrate the wellness center as a brader cmmunity center Create wellness themed city events d. Prmte and expand the prductin sectr e. Prmte and expand the retail sectr f. Prmte lcal agriculture by explring agribusiness ptential such as a dairy museum, shwcasing dairy prductin thrugh new retail initiatives g. Prmte cmmunity amenities such as parks, theater, and mre h. Maintain high cmmunity safety standards i. Prmte lcal and reginal recreatin destinatins and activities

8 Prmte Waukn as an attractive destinatin and cmmunity a. Craft and prmte a unique cmmunity theme using lcal histry, strengths, and unique qualities b. Cmmunicate a psitive city image by prmting lcal assets and effectively using the internet and scial media c. Develp mre recreatin and entertainment ptins fr residents and turists Develp strategies fr lcating new businesses related t recreatin and entertainment based n lng- term gals d. Increase the number f cmmunity events e. Develp recreatin and arts prgrams fr yuth Prmte art, music and ther talents within cmmunity f. Develp affrdable and adequate husing t attract families, yung prfessinals, and retirees Initiative t sustain and expand the husing market (New lw incme husing develpment, New medium and high incme husing develpment, New rental husing develpment all targeted at yung families, empty- nesters, elderly) g. Prmte turism by cllabrating with ther cities in the regin...and justice fr all The US Department f Agriculture (USDA) prhibits discriminatin in all its prgrams and activities n the basis f race, clr, natinal rigin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religin, sexual rientatin, genetic infrmatin, plitical beliefs, reprisal, r because all r part f an individual s incme is derived frm any public assistance prgram. (Nt all prhibited bases apply t all prgrams.) Persns with disabilities wh require alternative means fr cmmunicatin f prgram infrmatin (Braille, large print, auditape, etc.) shuld cntact USDA s TARGET Center at (vice and TDD). T file a cmplaint f discriminatin, write t USDA, Directr, Office f Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue SW, Washingtn, DC , r call (vice) r (TDD). Issued in furtherance f Cperative Extensin wrk, Acts f May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cperatin with the US Department f Agriculture. Cathann Kress, directr, Cperative Extensin Service, Iwa State University f Science and Technlgy, Ames, Iwa.