Project Update & Next Steps

Since our last update, we closed the online survey and have been combing through responses and developing next steps based on all the community feedback we have received to date. The survey results are available for download on the project’s Engage web page. We met with the Neighborhood Focus Group on July 9 and the Historic Preservation Advisory Board (HPAB) on July 15 to share a summary of engagement and a first look at several draft work products. You can view the HPAB meeting materials or watch the meeting recording online.

Through these updates, we wanted to understand whether the groups felt we were on the right path with our proposed approach as well as the level of detail and formatting of the draft documents. Both meetings were opportunities to check in and hear from the folks who are helping to guide this project. We walked away from the meetings with a clear sense that we need to circle back to City Commission to make sure the project aligns with their vision, and then invest more time in addressing community expectations. That conversation will begin with a Commission work session on 7/28.

Unfortunately, we also walked away from the HPAB meeting knowing we had to make the difficult decision to terminate our contract with the Lakota Group due to unprofessional conduct during the meeting. This decision was not made lightly, and we know that losing our consultants will impact the project. This is a project that many people care deeply about. You all have spent countless hours with us in focus groups, on surveys, at open houses, at board meetings, and more, giving your thoughts on how this update should move forward. One of the things we have heard from neighbors is concern over the project goals, and this action also allows us to reassess, have further discussions at City Commission, and chart a path forward that feels better to all.

The work of updating the NCOD Design Guidelines is important, and there has been great momentum and discussion happening over the past few months. We plan on keeping that momentum going in the coming weeks and months as we continue our historic preservation work through the Local Landmark Project. That work is currently focused on revisions to the City’s demolition regulations. Tune into the City Commission meeting on 7/28 to learn about next steps for both projects.

We will do our best to you all updated, and you can rest assured that there will be more opportunities to get involved and shape what this update looks like. Thanks for being on this journey with us and for your understanding in this tough decision.