2006/07/12 Council Agenda Packet

CHAPTER 6 Open Space and Other Public Amenities As I tell city and regional leaders around the country, the key to success today lies in Summary developing a world-class people climate. . . . Adequate parks and open space are essential to a successful downtown for they By this I mean a general strategy aimed at serve a wide variety of human needs including passive recreation such as attracting and retaining people—especially, but not limited to, creative people. This resting, eating lunch, or meeting a friend, active recreation such as children's entails remaining open to diversity and play, dog exercise, and court sports, celebrations, public events, festivals and actively working to cultivate it, and investing performances, a setting for art and other amenities, and simply providing in the lifestyle amenities that people really sunlight, air greenery and visual relief from a dense urban setting. While in most want and use often, as opposed to using American cities, streets and sidewalks provide for some of these functions, there financial incentives to attract companies, is still the need for dedicated, multi-purpose open space. Analysis of local needs build professional sports stadiums or develop retail complexes. The benefits of this kind of in downtown Everett identified the following emerging needs. Although some strategy are obvious. Whereas companies— types of spaces are not immediately necessary, they will become increasingly or sports teams for that matter—that get essential as downtown Everett evolves toward its vision. financial incentives can pull up and leave at virtually a moment's notice, investments in • Neighborhood oriented public open space for residents, particularly in the amenities like urban parks, for example, last Grand/Rucker/Hoyt Avenues vicinity. for generations. Other amenities—like bike • Small public or private seating areas integrated into adjacent business lanes or off-road trails for running, cycling, activities rollerblading or just walking your dog— benefit a wide swath of the population. • A focal park or open space that is identified as the center of town and that can be used for celebrations, festivals, performances and other civic events. Richard Florida: The Rise of the Creative Class • Open space enhancements to civic facilities to increase their use and attractiveness. • Better connections to recreational and open space opportunities outside downtown. The recommendations below address these five needs. In addition the following three considerations are especially critical in planning and designing successful downtown parks and open space. • Mix of park uses: Parks should not be designed as single purpose spaces. The greater the mix of compatible uses, the more active and vibrant the park and the more the park will be used during all times of the day and seasons of the year. Cl, gp MAKERS architecture and urban design ~' 0509_rpf_draft.00c•6/29/00