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2 Tonight s presentation and conversation is being conducted by CityVisions Associates and Gamble Associates, who have been selected by the City and County to conduct the Downtown Frankfort Master Plan and Community Engagement Process. 2
CityVisions Associates is a firm created to plan, design, and develop unique and special urban places, not merely buildings or spaces. We are dedicated to seeking innovative and creative approaches tailored to the market, size, density, and culture of the downtown and neighborhoods of specific cities, recognizing their particular assets and understanding the challenges that they face. Urban Mixed-Use Development Urban Economic Development Strategies Downtown Master Plans Development Project Management Implementation Project Assistance 3 CityVisions Associates of Louisville, Kentucky is a firm strongly committed to the vitality and vibrancy of downtown and urban areas, and undertakes a variety of activities in the pursuit of this mission, including the development and redevelopment of urban property as well as conducting economic development strategies similar to the work in Frankfort. 3
GAMBLE ASSOCIATES Architecture, Urban Design and Planning Gamble Associates focuses on the revitalization of urban centers. David Gamble, AIA AICP LEEP AP Principal, Gamble Associates Lecturer, Harvard Graduate School of Design Areas of Expertise: - Urban Waterfront and Downtowns - Institutional Planning - Campus and Large scale planning - Neighborhood Revitalization - Transportation and Public Infrastructure - Community Engagement Gamble Associates of Boston is one of the leading urban design firms in the nation, with a particular emphasis on improving the public environment in downtown areas and integrating such improvement programs into proactive economic development strategies. It has been working in a variety of small and mid sized communities recently in Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana. 4
CityVisions Associates is a firm created to plan, design, and develop unique and special urban places, not merely buildings or spaces. Buildings 5 Our work is quite varied and includes the redevelopment of individual buildings, some quite large 5
CityVisions Associates is a firm created to plan, design, and develop unique and special urban places, not merely buildings or spaces. Districts/Development Tracts 6 Downtowns and urban districts 6
CityVisions Associates is a firm created to plan, design, and develop unique and special urban places, not merely buildings or spaces. Riverfronts 7 Riverfront redevelopment 7
CityVisions Associates is a firm created to plan, design, and develop unique and special urban places, not merely buildings or spaces. Downtowns 8 And entire downtown areas. 8
Louisville Slugger Museum 9 Some may be familiar with a number of our projects in Louisville, such as the Louisville Slugger Museum 9
Louisville Glassworks 10 The Glassworks Building and District 10
11 Whiskey Row Lofts adjacent to the YUM Center 11
Hilton Garden Inn / 8UP 12 The downtown Hilton Garden Inn and the rooftop 8UP restaurant 12
OWENSBORO, KY 13 We ve also been very involved with the revitalization effort that has been taking place during the past few years in Owensboro, Kentucky. 13
Quality Excellence Synergy A Critical Mass of Activity! 14 In all of these initiatives, our focus is always to produce high quality development, and above all, to move the downtown or the district to a much more intensive level of activity; during the day, during the evenings, and during the weekends. 14
CityVisions Associates is a firm created to plan, design, and develop unique and special urban places, not merely buildings or spaces. Master Plan/ Vision 15 Our team has been engaged by the community to assist in the creation of an overall Master Plan and Vision for downtown Frankfort. What exactly does this mean, and is it merely a set of suggestions as what everyone hopes will happen? 15
CityVisions Associates is a firm created to plan, design, and develop unique and special urban places, not merely buildings or spaces. Master Plan/ Vision Development Strategy 16 Our approach is to consider this a true Development Strategy, designed to encourage, support, and proactively bring additional development, investment, and activity to downtown Frankfort. 16
CityVisions Associates is a firm created to plan, design, and develop unique and special urban places, not merely buildings or spaces. Development Strategy Vision Specific Goals and Objectives Economic and Market Realities Unique Assets/Sense of Place Public Actions/Infrastructure Private Actions/Investment Catalytic Project(s) Implementation Strategy 17 The approach to such a Development Strategy includes these important elements 17
Frankfort blends warm Southern hospitality with a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit, making this a city on the rise Cedar Rapids Gazette 18 Since we began our work in January, we have been taken with the charm and the qualities of downtown Frankfort that make it a special place. Clearly, others are beginning to take note as well. 18
19 Downtown Frankfort has a lot to offer its citizens and visitors... 19
20 The quality of the downtown environment is clearly one of its prime assets 20
21 And its historic building stock is very impressive 21
22 People who live, work and play downtown have a strong sense of pride in downtown Frankfort. 22
23 And there are many groups working every day to make it an even better place 23
24 There has been great deal of interest in the future redevelopment of the Capital Plaza Phase B property, and part of our work is to assess the community s interest and analyze the development potential of this important assembly of acreage. 24
Downtown Frankfort - Capital Plaza Redevelopment 25 While this is an important element of our work, the scope of the downtown master plan is much greater than just the Capital Plaza redevelopment. 25
Downtown Frankfort - Capital Plaza Redevelopment - Connect with historic downtown - Activate Two Riverfronts - Optimize Tourism, Especially Bourbon - Improve Circulation and Visibility - Welcome Visitors/Celebrate Frankfort - Additional Residential Units - Improve Development Economics - Embrace W. Broadway Tracks - Proactive Downtown Retail Approach 26 Our work will focus on the entire downtown area, including historic downtown, the riverfront(s), connections to the major tourism attractions, and the ability to easily access downtown by vehicle, on bike, and as a pedestrian. 26
Healthy Small Downtowns Historic Fabric Few Gaps Appropriate Scale Activity on the street Residential Population Strong First Floor Retail Attractions/Arts Color/Vibrancy Civic Focal Points Green Spaces Accessible Waterfronts Bike and Ped Trails Pedestrian Amenities On-Street Parking Ease of Access Active Programming 27 We often like to begin these efforts by taking inventory of the elements that tend to result in healthy and vibrant downtowns. This is a list of some of the major components of a healthy small downtown. 27
Healthy Small Downtowns Historic Fabric Few Gaps Appropriate Scale Color/Vibrancy Civic Focal Points Green Spaces Pedestrian Amenities On-Street Parking Active Programming Third Places 28 Downtown Frankfort does well in terms of a number of these healthy downtown assets. 28
Healthy Small Downtowns Activity on the street Residential Population Strong First Floor Retail Attractions/Arts Accessible Waterfronts Bike and Ped Trails Ease of Access 29 Clearly, though, there are a number of items where more progress needs to be seen. But overall, downtown Frankfort has a very good base upon which to build. 29
30 There are, in addition, a number of somewhat unique aspects to downtown Frankfort. For example, in viewing this aerial photo, one can easily see that the downtown appears to have two distinct areas with much different character. 30
31 One area is the part of downtown commonly referred to as historic downtown Frankfort 31
32 It has the bulk of the historic properties, a nice pedestrian scale, and an ease of walkability. 32
33 The areas primarily north of Broadway, however most of which is composed of State government facilities - presents a much different character 33
34 This area breaks with the historic street grid, much of the existing Capital Plaza is at a different level, and the streets have been designed primarily for the rapid flow of vehicles into and out of Frankfort, rather than for pedestrians to comfortably move about. Connections between these two areas are weak, and movement between these two areas remain difficult to navigate. 34
35 Nonetheless, the location of State government in and adjacent to downtown provides for a large number of additional people in the area every day, an asset not available to many communities the size of Frankfort. 35
36 How does this downtown dichotomy affect downtown Frankfort overall? Let s begin with the approach into downtown from 127. After driving through the very beautiful and impressive limestone cut, one approaches downtown 36
Frankfort Board of Commissioners Oct. 9 2017 37 Vehicles cross the bridge and stop at Wilkinson Boulevard 37
Frankfort Board of Commissioners Oct. 9 2017 38 Just a very short distance from this major downtown gateway, these assets await 38
39 However, this is the image in front of you. There is no indication of what awaits you in downtown, and no signage or wayfinding directing you to downtown, Buffalo Trace, the riverfront, etc. 39
40 Compare that entry gateway with the approach to downtown from the Capitol Bridge 40
41 Where you are guided into this image of downtown Frankfort. 41
42 Quite a difference as to what is projected as the image of downtown if one continues into downtown across Wilkinson, which most vehicles will do. 42
Frankfort Board of Commissioners Oct. 9 2017 43 Nonetheless, as stated earlier, overall the presence of State Government is definitely an asset for downtown Frankfort. 43
Unique Opportunities State Government 44 And one of its unique opportunities 44
Frankfort Board of Commissioners Oct. 9 2017 45 A second rather unique asset for downtown is the Kentucky River, which has played a key role in the history of Frankfort. 45
46 While many cities have a riverfront, it is somewhat unique that downtown Frankfort has TWO riverfronts 46
Unique Opportunities State Government Two Riverfronts 47 This also should be seen as a unique asset for downtown 47
Kentucky River 48 Each of the riverfronts have a distinct character, ease of access, and different potential but both are clearly part of downtown 48
Frankfort River Frankfort Board of Commissioners Oct. 9 2017 49 The opportunities for downtown include greater views of the River, greater opportunities along the River, and greater opportunities to be on the River. 49
Unique Opportunities State Government Two Riverfronts Bourbon Tourism 50 A third unique opportunity relates to Bourbon Tourism, and cultural tourism as a whole. 50
Frankfort Board of Commissioners Oct. 9 2017 51 Downtown Frankfort is centrally located in the heart of a major area of bourbon tourism, with Buffalo Trace immediately adjacent to downtown 51
52 And a number of other bourbon tourism draws nearby as well as others opening shortly. 52
53 Bourbon tourism is in the midst of a historic boom that continues to grow and shows no sign of slowing dow. And cultural tourism in general is the fastest growing segment of the tourism industry. 53
54 Frankfort is certainly aware of this, and has been increasing its brand as a center of bourbon in recent years. 54
55 While this is a very good start, downtown Frankfort still has a ways to go before it is recognized as a headquarters for bourbon tourism in the region. But it is certainly well positioned in this regard. 55
56 Other cities in the State have stepped up their bourbon tourism strategies. We have been involved, for example, with the branding of Main Street in Louisville as its Bourbon District. These efforts have become much more sophisticated and multi-faceted. 56
Unique Opportunities Kentucky State Clark Center Grand Theatre 57 So Frankfort has a number of opportunities that are not typically available to communities of its size: a large pool of state government employees, two riverfronts that have been underutilized, a central location amidst hundreds of thousands of tourists and visitors. And it has these other assets as well that are additional opportunities for downtown. 57
Authenticity and Sense of Place 58 In addition, Frankfort has begun to highlight the arts and cultural opportunities that it has to offer 58
59 And reinforcing its connection to the region s bourbon attractions is a very smart idea 59
Strengthen Markets Residents Employees Tourists 60 All of these potential opportunities and the development of a strategic plan to optimize them, are designed to strengthen the markets in downtown; stronger markets for residents, employees, and tourists 60
Challenge: Ease of Access 61 While capitalizing on opportunities is a critical part of the initiative, identifying and removing some of the obstacles that inhibit downtown s growth is equally important. The difficulty of accessing downtown is a prime example of such an obstacle. With Clinton and Mero Streets having been designed years ago primarily to move track in and out of town, the inability to easily access downtown is a major impediment. 61
Challenge: Ease of Access 62 Signage is important 62
Challenge: Ease of Access 63 But it needs to help people navigate the community, not make it more confusing 63
Challenge: Residential 64 And there are other challenges that must be understood as to why, and then determined how they can be overcome. Everyone wants more residents living downtown, but how to make it economically viable must be addressed. 64
Challenge: Downtown Retail 65 While there are many interesting and locally owner and operated retail establishments downtown, 65
Challenge: Downtown Retail 66 More are needed 66
Challenge: Vacant Property 67 And some of the most prominent and important downtown buildings remain vacant 67
Challenge: Skepticism 68 One of the biggest challenges to overcome is skepticism that any real change will occur 68
69 But change is definitely occurring, in recent weeks right before our eyes with the Tower demolished 69
70 And with Clinton Street converted into two-way traffic, at least temporarily. 70
71 So the goal is to change spaces like these in downtown Frankfort 71
72 Activated in ways that present more of this type of energy and vitality throughout downtown Frankfort. 72