Rapid City Downtown Area Master Plan Draft Plan Concepts April 2016
CALL TO ACTION! A Thriving Downtown = Regional Economic Prosperity Rapid City is competing nationally for a limited supply of young skilled talent. Downtowns are an essential civic asset to retain & recruit talent, central to regional economic development strategies. Rapid City has a limited window (next 5 to 7 years) to focus on downtown and capitalize on favorable trends.
Downtown Area Master Plan Reviewed past plans and studies Market assessment with influence of trends Community outreach process Framework to set priorities for public realm Action plan for implementation Design guidelines and zoning revisions
Market Assessment Highlights Influenced by P.U.M.A. Global Trends Report demographics and lifestyles favoring downtown Assessment of downtown for next 5 to 10 years There is pent up demand for a variety of downtown residential housing types 210 to 370 units A market exists to expand the retail niche Innovative and creative office space is in demand employment projections support up to 200,000 sq.ft. Hotel opportunities limited to boutique niche
Community Aspirations for Downtown 1,700 + stakeholders have participated 100+ participants in working groups and interviews 1,400 responses to online survey 200+ participants in Open Houses
Community Aspirations for Downtown
Top Actions for Achieving Survey Vision Improve the safety of Downtown, including better lighting (24%) Improve the parking experience for customers and visitors (14%) Activate Downtown east of 5 th Street with more development (11%) Make Downtown Rapid City more walkable and bikeable (9%) Attract neighborhood serving retail and amenities (7%)
Top Priorities from All Outreach Provide housing everywhere Create and promote jobs and innovation Make Rapid City a College Town, not a town with a college Develop places for people Implement a parking management program Make downtown safe and clean Improve key streets for pedestrians and bicyclists Enhance connections to Rapid Creek, SDSM&T, and surrounding neighborhoods Revise the zoning and land use code to be more mixed-use friendly
Downtown Master Plan Core Values Prosperous Hub for jobs & innovation Connected Walkable, bikeable, intuitive Active Lively districts & public spaces Welcoming Inclusive and safe Livable An emerging neighborhood
Master Plan Framework PLACES FOR PEOPLE Frameworks Districts Connectivity Strategies Public Development Design Guidelines Form Character
Master Plan Framework - Districts Focus Development Activity Centers Influence Areas Defining Character Development Form Design Character Districts Historic Downtown Innovation (E. of 5 th )
Master Plan Framework - Districts Historic Downtown Main St. Square Urban Pattern Historic Character Innovation (E. of 5 th ) Define Public Spaces Mixed Pattern Mixed Character
Master Plan Framework - Connectivity Network Streets grid connections trails Civic Spaces parks rights of way greenway
Master Plan Framework - Connectivity Multi-modal Network Pedestrians Cyclists Transit Automobiles
Master Plan Framework Public Public Street Types Roadway Design Urban Design Building Relationship Public Spaces Civic Space Right-of-way Gateways
Master Plan Framework Public Street Types Pedestrian Main, St. Joseph, 6 th, 3 rd, Elm Cycle Kansas City, 6 th, East Blvd. Trails RR, Rapid Creek, University Automobile Omaha, 8 th, 5 th, cross connectivity Public Spaces Main St. Square 3 rd Street Elm Street
Master Plan Framework Development Place Types Activity Center Downtown Neighborhood Downtown Edge Development Sites Prioritize Illustrate Concepts
Master Plan Framework Development Development Attributes (by place type) Development Form Use Building Type Character (Activity Centers)
Master Plan Framework Design Guidelines Design Guidelines Development Form Scale/Mass Setback Orientation Landscape Character (by District) Materials Design Details Administration City BID Review Board
Action Plan
Action Plan ECONOMY 1. Housing Everywhere Encourage the development of new housing in a variety of types and price points throughout downtown. Aim for 350+ new units over the next five years. 2. Jobs & Innovation Create a live/work makers and innovation district east of 5 th Street. Position this part of Downtown as a regional center for innovation and entrepreneurship 3. College Town Strengthen all connections between the SDSM&T campus and downtown physical, economic development and programming to have downtown look, feel and be a true college town.
Action Plan Precedents for East of 5 th Innovation District
Action Plan EXPERIENCE 4. Places for People Create a sense of destination for Downtown through enhancements to the public realm and amenities that signal arrival and quality. 5. Parking Management Improve the parking experience in Downtown, including availability, pricing, customer and employee convenience. 6. Safe & Clean Maintain a consistently clean and safe experience throughout the downtown core, including improvements in lighting.
Action Plan ENVIRONMENT 7. Key Streets Develop the amenity infrastructure pedestrians, bicycles, wayfinding to attract more investment to specific downtown corridors. 8. Connections & Gateways Enhance and expand biking and walking connections to and through downtown to SDSM&T, surrounding neighborhoods, and Rapid Creek/Civic Center. 9. Zoning & Land Use Revise the zoning code east of 5th Street to make it easier to attract and build housing, maker and innovation space, and mixed use development.
Action Plan Key Streets: 3 rd Street Spine of the Innovation District?
Action Plan Key Streets: 3rd Street Spine of the Innovation District?
Action Plan: Quick Wins! ECONOMY 1. Pilot tax abatement program for housing 2. Create housing credit enhancement pool from employers 3. Explore economic initiative with SDSM&T 4. Create new downtown event(s) targeted to SDSM&T EXPERIENCE 5. Implement the lighting plan 6. Conduct a new parking management study 7. Identify sites for new pocket parks East of 5th ENVIRONMENT 8. Implement new zoning package East of 5th 9. Install demonstration 2-lane pilot on Main or St. Joseph 10. Install more bike racks throughout downtown 11. Install new wayfinding to connect to mountain trails
Plan Implementation To come. Implications for the City, Destination Rapid City and stakeholders - organizational alignment and funding Priorities, sequencing, civic partners Measuring progress
Plan Implementation To come. Late April May 26 May 31/June 1 June 1 June 2 30 July 21 Aug 1 Draft Plan document, design standards and guidelines Rapid City Planning Commission Present draft plan City Council Committees Public Open House to celebrate the draft plan Public Review and revisions to final document Planning Commission City Council Adoption
Open House Conversations: 1. Framework Concepts 2. Design Guidelines 3. Action Plan Priorities