Riverfront master plan public involvement
Recognizing the level of community interest in the future of the riverfront property, EWEB
Commissioners and the City Council agreed that it was critical to provide opportunities for the public to participate in the planning process.
Establishing the Community Advisory Team
was the first step.
Locally-based Cogito Partners was also contracted to develop and implement a public
engagement plan. Specific public involvement opportunities included:
- Interviews and focus groups
- An AIA-sponsored design charrette with the local design community and public
- Public speaking engagements and tabling at multiple community events
- Site tours for community members
- Four public events
During the two-year process, more than 1,000 people participated in the master planning process.
Read the public engagement plan and summaries of all public events
(5MB PDF, as seen in the Master Plan Appendix)
From the beginning, public input helped shape the Riverfront Master Plan.
In fact, Rowell Brokaw Architects considered feedback received at the project kick-off, design charette,
and interviews and focus groups when creating five preliminary concepts.
Later, RBA presented three distinct design concepts at a second public event. Comments from more
than 200 attendees helped direct the development of a single design option. The design team also
considered feedback collected in the following months through numerous interviews, outreach events and small group
presentations.
The 300 people who attended the third public event were able to review and give input
on this single design option. With an average 85% approval rating derived through electronic poling, the
public showed clear support for the Riverfront Master Plan's vision: to create an urban, active "people place"
that connects our city to an enhanced riverfront environment.
The design team made final adjustments before presenting the final plan
to EWEB Commissioners for approval in June 2010.