How's that "Vision Thing" Going?

Back on September 11, 2014 the City of Mesa announced appointments to the Downtown Vision Ad-Hoc Committee. The Vision Committee’s work is to be concluded within approximately six months [end of March 2015]
http://apps.mesaaz.gov/news/ArticleView?id=44001

You can see the appointed members, and their qualifications by going to this link: http://www.mesaaz.gov/city-hall/advisory-boards-committees/downtown-vision-ad-hoc-committee


The Downtown Vision Committee was asked to:

• Recommend a shared vision and broad goals to the Mesa Mayor and City Council that set a clear intention and direction for the long-term evolution of Downtown Mesa.
• Collaborate with key downtown partners and agencies that will contribute to the implementation of the shared downtown vision.
• Consider Downtown Mesa’s future opportunities, untapped urban growth sectors, barriers to success, and its existing and future market potential.
• Review existing plans and strategies and how to build on, reaffirm and prioritize those outcomes.

The first meeting took place on September 30, 2014 @ 4:04 p.m. and was off to a fast start!
You can look at all the committee agendas and minutes by clicking on this link: Downtown Vision Committee Agendas & Minutes

ACTIVATING PEOPLE AND SPACE - huh?

As of March 24, 2015 - nearly seven months into the vision process - the committee appears to be having a struggle about what that "shared vision is" or setting "a clear intention and direction for the long-term evolution of Downtown Mesa" . . Chairman Jo Wilson stated that "Downtown has many groups implementing projects their own vision that is not comprehensive or owned by the community. Vision Committee outcome should have a global statement like "activating people and space," with corresponding actions that come from the Central Main Plan and that Vision Committee believes to be priorities. Need to recommend that implementation roles and responsibilities be clarified. Agree that some kind of accountability tool also needed"

At the May 2, 2015 meeting the committee identified 15 elements of a great downtown and 14 bullet-points of what they want for Downtown Mesa, identified 24 "vision words" and 17 priorities.
Here are the what the Downtown Vision Committee believes to be priorities [17]

• Housing/Residential Variety (brownstones, multifamily)
• Mix of Retail (high-end, mom & pop, national, student oriented/need)
• Require use of Form-based Code in Downtown
• Bold lighting—help to activate nightlife
• Police presence/Bike patrol—stay ahead of growth
• Refresh streetscape (hardscape and landscape) (Colonnades, brick sidewalks, add color and artistry) 
• Artistic elements—development and services

• Shade structures
• Linear parks—to connect people from all directions to Downtown
• Intimate public spaces
• Festivals/Community Events large and small
• Outdoor restaurants
• Great streets and wide sidewalks
• Reaffirm and implement priorities of Central Main Plan
• New Wayfinding/Signage
• Accessible and safe parking (well lit, connect to Main, easy to find)
• Consider community parking district in lieu of parking credits for developer

A question was asked in point 8 from the May 2nd Agenda: Committee member(s) volunteer to draft Vision statement and priorities?  Two members responded, with Lorenzo Perez offering to draft the vision statement and priorities, and Charles Huelmantell to assist and find the visuals that represent the committee's ideas. 
These are to be provided to Natalie Lewis, Assistant to City Manager Chris Brady, by May 18th, with comments to staff only from May 18-26 to' avoid violations of Arizona's Open Meeting Law

Staff sends final draft shared with committee by June 1st.

The final committee meeting will be held on June 9, 2015 at 3 p.m. at Mesa Arts Center 3rd Floor South Conference Room and a presentation to the Mesa City Council on June 15, 2015