February 5, 2008
(530) 879-6813
City’s General Plan Update Turns Focus to Downtown Chico
Special Workshop, Walking Tour Scheduled
Chico, CA – Downtown Chico will receive special attention on Tuesday, March 25 at a public meeting dedicated to discussing the important issues for this area. The City will be creating a separate Downtown Element in the General Plan update and this Downtown Vision Workshop is designed to discuss how to preserve the historic aspects of the heart of Chico, while revitalizing areas that need special attention. The Downtown Vision Workshop is part of the ongoing public outreach being conducted by the City as it updates Chico’s General Plan.
The City has also convened a Downtown Committee in order to effectively address the unique issues related to the area. The newly formed committee is tasked with focusing in greater detail those issues surrounding downtown Chico. They will be responsible for communicating the community’s vision to the City as it updates Chico’s General Plan. Committee members will also function as ambassadors who fully understand the history of downtown and will discuss and deliberate over the key issues as well as the full range of possible solutions.
The first Downtown Vision Workshop will include a walking tour (weather permitting) to identify things the participants feel should be preserved as well as areas that may need improvement. Workshop attendees will also participate in exercises designed to create a visual representation of what they envision for the area and help communicate their ideas for downtown Chico.
“The City is very proud of downtown Chico and is committed to listening to residents’ ideas about how we can improve the heart of our city,” said Steve Peterson, Planning Services Director. Peterson added, “Downtown Chico is an important part of what defines our great city, and revitalizing the downtown core will provide cultural and economic benefits to the entire community.”
Downtown Chico is known for being the heart of the community and functions as the cultural focal point of the city. Within walking distance from CSU Chico, the downtown area is home to over 450 diverse businesses, a farmers’ market and a variety of cultural events throughout the year. The City has worked to maintain the downtown area by restoring monuments such as the Senator Theatre, the City Plaza, and now the old Municipal Building.
The Downtown Vision Workshop is open to any Chico resident interested in participating in the process. Interested Chicoans are encouraged to visit the City’s Web site dedicated to the General Plan Update process at www.chicogeneralplan.com.
Downtown Vision Workshop
March 25, 2008; 6:00-8:30 p.m.
The Arroyo Room
131 W. 1st Street, Chico
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