Title
Center of the City Task Force Final Report - February 28, 2020 Presentation
Memo
In April 2019, Ann Arbor City Council passed resolution R-19-135 to establish the Center of the City Task Force with the charge "to engage citizens in visioning, long term planning, and immediate and intermittent uses, building toward the final vision for the Center of the City on the Library Block" (now being referred to as the Center of the City Block). This Final Report of the Task Force includes "recommendations to help determine the next steps to advance the development of a central park and civic center commons known as the Center of the City." The Task Force was tasked with submitting its report and recommendations to Council by February 28, 2020.
The attached report is the result of that effort, which involved a compact, but rigorous, planning process that took into account past work, community member input, research, and expertise. As stated in the report, the vision developed for the Center of the City is to create spaces that are:
* Inclusive and welcoming to everyone
* Safe, active, and foster a culture of peace and non-violence
* Easy to see, easy to get to, and easy to get through
* Flexible, adaptable and sustainable
* Inspiring and promote life-long learning
The six main recommendations are:
1. Facilitate the formation of the Ann Arbor Council of the Commons
2. Schedule regular meetings of a Center of the City Block partners group
3. Remove ground-level parking on the Library Lot parking structure and begin efforts to redesign as an active public space
4. Authorize initial planning for the long-term development of the Center of the City Block as a priority under the City's Master Plan
5. Negotiate potential agreements/easements that allow for future expansion and connections
The report details goals and actions steps to support the vision and the recommendations in addition to detailing the planning and engagement process. Members of the Task Force and Cit...
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