WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:13.000 We will get ready. I'll open the city council portion of the meeting and then lift the parks, PNZ and parks open air and then call our one-off work session item. 00:00:13.000 --> 00:00:28.000 So today is Tuesday, December 5th, 2023, and it is 1102 a.m. and we do have a form for the council. So I'll call that meeting in order to turn it over to the chair of the PNZ. 00:00:28.000 --> 00:00:40.000 Thank you mayor. With the quorum present, I will call this joint meeting of PNZ, city council, parks recreation board to order at 1102 a.m. 00:00:40.000 --> 00:00:48.000 And with the quorum, I, George Fieri, the chair of the parks recreation and beautification board, will also call this joint meeting to order. 00:00:48.000 --> 00:01:08.000 Great. So the first item is, and so welcome to everybody and thank you for being here. Our first item is item A, ID 231988, receive report and hold discussion, give staff direction regarding the community priorities for design downtown Denton plan. 00:01:08.000 --> 00:01:22.000 Thank you mayor. So Tina Fergens, deputy director of development services. So thank you all for taking time out of your day and being here for this discussion. So we are excited to be able to share with you where we are with the design downtown Denton project for the city. 00:01:22.000 --> 00:01:33.000 We're delighted to have you all together. We know this is a very important project for the city. We are doing this project per council's direction. So hence why it's even more important as we move forward. 00:01:33.000 --> 00:01:45.000 Today we are going to be seeking your feedback on the community priorities. We will ask you to participate in some minty meter exercises. So it will require your cell phone at a certain point in time in the meeting. 00:01:45.000 --> 00:01:53.000 So if you want to get your electronic devices handy, you can have that. But Zach will be very clear as to when we're seeking your feedback on those community priorities. 00:01:53.000 --> 00:02:01.000 Those community priorities have been developed based upon all of the community engagement that has been done thus far with the project. And Zach will share some of that. 00:02:01.000 --> 00:02:14.000 So what I would like to do is turn the podium over to Zach Lockram. He's with Men Collaborative and is our project manager. Also I'd like to note Cameron Robertson and Sean Jacobson on my team are also leading this effort. 00:02:14.000 --> 00:02:22.000 Cameron is project manager and Sean is assistant. So if you ever have any questions related to the project, you're also more than welcome to reach out to them. So Zach. 00:02:22.000 --> 00:02:32.000 I just want to also do a quick reminder that we are being live streamed. So if we are speaking from the table, just make sure you're speaking up so that we can make sure that we're getting that caught in the microphones as well. 00:02:32.000 --> 00:02:51.000 Thank you, Tina. Very excited to be here with you all today, especially on such a beautiful day in Denton. We've been having a wonderful time interacting with the community over the last few days and have gotten to continue our public engagement, which we will share a little bit about a little bit later as well. 00:02:51.000 --> 00:03:11.000 Just quickly, our agenda will go over quick introductions and the project overview. I'll talk a little bit about our case for action and some of our key findings. Talk about our public engagement results from this first phase. And as Tina said, the main portion of the meeting will be spent looking at our draft project vision and community priorities. 00:03:11.000 --> 00:03:27.000 And the key piece of feedback that we want to make sure we're walking away with these meetings on is making sure that the priorities represent Council PZ and Park Board priorities and making sure that we have the right priorities, as that is what we are going to be building the actions that we will be taking on. 00:03:27.000 --> 00:03:38.000 We'll do a little bit of next steps at the end. And I know all of you have a busy day with additional meetings as well. So we'll try and keep things moving along right on time. 00:03:38.000 --> 00:03:51.000 My name is Zach Lockram. I am a partner at Mend Collaborative. We're an urban planning and landscape architecture firm based in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Austin, Texas. And we are the lead consultant on the Design Downtown Denton plan. 00:03:51.000 --> 00:04:09.000 I'm joined by my partner Michelle Bright, who is the principal in charge and conducts our quality control. Todd Austin, who's our deputy project manager. And at other times when we're having some of the public meetings, you may also meet Sandy Molnar's Comstock, who will be leading our open space component. 00:04:09.000 --> 00:04:22.000 We have a larger team as well. That's really excellent specialists in each of their fields. Host of Preservation is our historic preservation lead. Nelson Nygaard, who's represented by Jackson Archer, who's here, is our mobility lead. 00:04:22.000 --> 00:04:38.000 And then we have two different groups working with us on the economic development strategy from a couple of different perspectives. So Bill Fulton group is an expert on really the city tools and all has a lot of expertise and has actually been both a mayor and a council member. 00:04:38.000 --> 00:04:58.000 In the past as well, and is really an expert on utilizing city school city funding to achieve strategic outcomes. And the catalyst group brings additional expertise on the developer side and really understanding the ways that development works and the ways that that can partner with city to achieve a strategic vision as well. 00:04:58.000 --> 00:05:13.000 For our project overview, we just want to start by telling you the area that we are primarily looking at. It is the area bounded by Carroll Avenue, Eagle, Bell and Mingo, Ruttle, and then University Drive. 00:05:13.000 --> 00:05:33.000 So you can see it is a, you know, there are still times when we're talking to the public where we say downtown and people hear the square, but we're talking about an area that's bigger than the square as we're thinking about the interconnectedness of all of these, these sort of areas and neighborhoods in the central part of Denton as well. 00:05:33.000 --> 00:05:53.000 In our project approach, we started off with a process of gathering public engagement and doing research. So looking at both the data that's available to us from the city, the county, the federal government, as well as looking at best practices and looking at similarly sized communities and some of the different things that they've done. 00:05:53.000 --> 00:06:04.000 All of that research that we do has been combined into something that we call the case reaction, and it's what lays out our key findings and really helps point us towards what some of our key opportunities and challenges might be. 00:06:04.000 --> 00:06:18.000 We also are doing public engagement and we've done and we'll go into a little bit more detail about that. We've done a really robust set of initial engagement that has helped us really develop key themes and priorities that have come directly from the community. 00:06:18.000 --> 00:06:28.000 Those two things have really been put together into what we're calling the community priorities. And again, this is the main thing that we want to hear more from you about today. 00:06:28.000 --> 00:06:42.000 The community priorities give us strategic direction of what it is that we are trying to achieve with this plan, which is really a 10 to 15 year vision. So they're giving us direction on the Denton that we want to be living in in 15 years, right? 00:06:42.000 --> 00:07:00.000 Using those priorities, our next step will be to develop actions that are based on those priorities that will help us get towards the future that will include projects. It will include policies. It will include programs and using all of the strategic tools that the city can use to move towards one vision, which is ultimately the goal of the plan. 00:07:00.000 --> 00:07:14.000 From that, we will also be developing catalyst projects. So these might be a little bit larger projects, but ones that will be especially transformative and will be key elements of moving forward. We'll also be looking at easy wins and pilot projects. 00:07:14.000 --> 00:07:23.000 So thinking about the ways that the steps that we need to take to get towards that vision over this 10 to 15 years that this plan will really be looking at. 00:07:23.000 --> 00:07:38.000 You all may have noticed our great graphic design. One of the things that we wanted to do was really celebrate the artists who are here in the community and we were able to work with a local artist named Jude Landry to help us develop this brand. 00:07:38.000 --> 00:07:54.000 The D as you see it actually contains little elements that really highlight some of the key elements that will be working on the plan. Historic preservation, arts and culture, business and small development, sorry, small business and development, mobility and parks. 00:07:54.000 --> 00:08:08.000 So the case for action document is a roughly 50 page presentation that I'm not going to make you all sit through. So you don't have to worry about that. That includes our research from data sources. It includes best practices and analysis. 00:08:08.000 --> 00:08:18.000 And we will actually be releasing a video recording of the entire case for action so that everyone who wants to dive in and see all of the different data elements will have the opportunity to do that. 00:08:18.000 --> 00:08:26.000 But I have just a little snippet that I wanted to pull out for you all specifically looking at some of the development analysis that we did. 00:08:26.000 --> 00:08:39.000 We approached the development analysis by starting off by looking at our available land area and thinking about how we can analyze to find some of the best blocks for new improvements or new opportunities. 00:08:39.000 --> 00:08:50.000 We combined land value, ownership complexity, tax based trends, infrastructure encumbrances into an aggregate that helped us look at the way that sort of land is laid out. 00:08:50.000 --> 00:08:59.000 What we found from that is that right now as it stands with our current market, much of the downtown land will require some partnership to move projects forward. 00:08:59.000 --> 00:09:18.000 This is mainly due to the ownership complexity and the infrastructure encumbrances that are on many of the blocks within this study area. We also were looking specifically at we wanted to see what impact has bringing land out of the floodplain that used to be in the floodplain had. 00:09:18.000 --> 00:09:29.000 And largely what we found is essentially a big part of our analysis was in the tax based trends and land values and because that's come out so recently we actually don't know the impact yet. 00:09:29.000 --> 00:09:35.000 So we'll be continuing to closely monitor that and look at the ways that that kind of changes our opportunities. 00:09:35.000 --> 00:09:45.000 In addition to doing an analysis of the land, we also did an analysis of forecast and looking at what we might be able to bring in in terms of new development in 10 years in terms of the demand. 00:09:45.000 --> 00:09:51.000 The forecast revealed that we have a market demand for more than 300,000 square feet of retail. 00:09:51.000 --> 00:10:02.000 And despite the covert impacts that we were also showing ability to be able to accommodate about 50,000 square feet of office space as well. 00:10:02.000 --> 00:10:19.000 We also did an analysis looking at the market demand and found that we have an ability to absorb over 900 units within the downtown area in a variety of different housing types, including ownership and rental opportunities and really actually across the board from a financial perspective. 00:10:19.000 --> 00:10:29.000 Some of the biggest needs were really in some of the luxury and upmarket opportunities as well as for seniors and assistive living. 00:10:29.000 --> 00:10:36.000 I'm going to talk for a minute about some of our public engagement results for our initial phase of public engagement. 00:10:36.000 --> 00:10:39.000 We did a number of both pop up opportunities. 00:10:39.000 --> 00:10:46.000 So going out to different events that the community was present at and having conversations with them as well as doing online engagement. 00:10:46.000 --> 00:10:52.000 And we did three kind of main areas of opportunities for each of them. 00:10:52.000 --> 00:10:54.000 You could do them either online or in person. 00:10:54.000 --> 00:11:01.000 We had a social map, we had some visioning activities, and then we did a significant amount of surveys as well. 00:11:01.000 --> 00:11:07.000 On the online component, we received over 900 comments on the online map. 00:11:07.000 --> 00:11:12.000 I like to call out I was the project manager for the city of Houston's downtown plan. 00:11:12.000 --> 00:11:18.000 You guys almost matched their number as a city of 140,000 compared to a city of three and a half million. 00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:22.000 So very impressive results in terms of the number of people who actually participated. 00:11:22.000 --> 00:11:27.000 We had over 3000 people actually visit the online portal. 00:11:27.000 --> 00:11:33.000 People were also able to up vote and down vote other people's comments. 00:11:33.000 --> 00:11:35.000 And we had a lot of interactions there as well. 00:11:35.000 --> 00:11:40.000 More than 3000 total reactions looking at the other different types of comments that people were leaving. 00:11:40.000 --> 00:11:48.000 And then in addition to that, our pop ups, there were 100 additional map comments that were left as a part of that. 00:11:48.000 --> 00:11:52.000 There were some key themes that came out of the public engagement. 00:11:52.000 --> 00:11:57.000 And the circles that you see here are actually sized based on the number of comments we received on each of these areas. 00:11:57.000 --> 00:12:07.000 So you can see that the top four areas were in bicycle and pedestrian mobility, retail and development, parks and public spaces, and arts and entertainment. 00:12:07.000 --> 00:12:18.000 And one of the things that I think is really interesting about that list is one of the things that we've been thinking about a lot is what are the irreplaceable economic drivers of downtown? 00:12:18.000 --> 00:12:26.000 What are the competitive advantages that you don't have anywhere else in the city and that you probably wouldn't be able to replicate, at least not with a lot of work? 00:12:26.000 --> 00:12:30.000 Some of those things that have come up are the walkability downtown. 00:12:30.000 --> 00:12:34.000 So you see that bike pad was one of the key things that we received a lot of comments on. 00:12:34.000 --> 00:12:40.000 The small business environment downtown, the open spaces downtown, and of course the arts and entertainment. 00:12:40.000 --> 00:12:52.000 So in terms of alignment between things that the community cares about and things that are possible economic drivers for downtown, we see actually a lot of alignment between those areas. 00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:59.000 And I think that's really exciting because that really helps us point towards some opportunities and ways forward. 00:12:59.000 --> 00:13:11.000 We also did a visioning activity where we were asking sort of broader, more kind of emotional qualitative questions around why people love downtown and what they think downtown needs more of. 00:13:11.000 --> 00:13:22.000 We received several hundred comments in each of these categories that have also helped us with understanding some of the sentiment and the where and why behind some of the other elements that we've got. 00:13:22.000 --> 00:13:37.000 And then we also did a survey with our businesses, specifically looking for business owners and business managers to tell us a little bit more about what attracted them to downtown, how well the space is serving them today, 00:13:37.000 --> 00:13:45.000 what they feel contributes to their businesses and what they feel they need more of, as well as what challenges that they've had within their businesses. 00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:50.000 And that's another sort of very interesting set of detailed data that we've been able to have. 00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:58.000 Last night we had a really wonderful vision workshop where we talked about some of these community priorities that we're going to be approaching today. 00:13:58.000 --> 00:14:05.000 We had around 50 participants do a variety of different activities, really wonderful night and was really excited. 00:14:05.000 --> 00:14:10.000 And I know at least a few of you in the room were able to attend last night as well. 00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:18.000 So I'm going to get into the meat of our day today. 00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:30.000 Just wanted to bring this back up again and just sort of remind you the case for action engagement have produced a set of community priorities and a vision statement that we've also worked on with our advisory group. 00:14:30.000 --> 00:14:37.000 Those community priorities will then be translated into actions that we need to take in order to achieve the plan's vision. 00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:47.000 And those actions will be further broken down in order for us to think about the phasing, the timing and the emphasis on different types of actions that could be taken. 00:14:47.000 --> 00:15:01.000 So, again, our setting the community priorities correctly is extremely important for our ability to make sure that we are creating actions and recommendations that will move us in the direction that the community wants to go. 00:15:01.000 --> 00:15:08.000 I'm going to start by just pulling up the vision statement that has been developed alongside our advisory committee. 00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:14.000 All of you also have printouts of these just so that you have them in front of you if you want to be able to read them in a little more detail. 00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:19.000 I'm not going to read everything on every slide, but I will read this one out because it's important. 00:15:19.000 --> 00:15:30.000 Design downtown Denton to be a more walkable, beautiful, fun destination for shopping, working, learning and recreation that also serves as a hub of opportunity, welcoming all Dentonites. 00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:43.000 Cultivate a vibrant and diverse residential community, preserve and expand the distinctive local businesses, foster a strong sense of community and safeguard the historic and artistic character while promoting growth and development. 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:46.000 So this is where we're trying to go in the next 15 years. 00:15:46.000 --> 00:15:50.000 This is where we want to land. 00:15:50.000 --> 00:16:02.000 The community priorities have been broken down into these eight categories, which again were the major themes that came up through our public engagement process as well as the research that we have done. 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:08.000 Right now I have them ordered by the number of comments that we received on them in the initial round of engagement. 00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:21.000 Bike and pedestrian safety and mobility, retail and commercial development, parks and public space, arts, entertainment and events, traffic and transit, safety, housing development and culture. 00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:44.000 This is the part where we're going to ask you to bring out your phones because we're going to have a little bit of interactive materials to be able to kind of look at this in the room while we're all together here. 00:16:44.000 --> 00:16:47.000 I'll give you all a minute to get in there. 00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:57.000 If you have trouble with the QR code, you can also join at menti.com and then the passcode here is 19671106. 00:16:57.000 --> 00:17:01.000 We've got about seven people on so far. Let's give it another minute or two. 00:17:01.000 --> 00:17:05.000 If anyone's having trouble, Michelle and Todd could come around and help as well. 00:17:05.000 --> 00:17:11.000 So just raise your hand if you're if you're having trouble getting in there. 00:17:11.000 --> 00:17:25.000 I've got 10 people on, 11, 14. 00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:37.000 These guys will come around and help you out. 00:17:37.000 --> 00:18:01.000 That's a good question. 00:18:01.000 --> 00:18:04.000 Okay, so I'll give you some more instructions as we move forward as well. 00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:07.000 So starting with bicycle and pedestrian safety and mobility. 00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:33.000 Key priorities that came about out of this was a real focus on enhancing walkability, including sidewalks, lighting, landscaping, crosswalks, implementing safety measures at some of the dangerous intersections, connecting the university, the squares, the transit centers, both physically through public realm and in-field development as well as through a common downtown brand, promoting safer environment for cyclists by expanding protected bike lanes. 00:18:33.000 --> 00:18:39.000 And regularly closing some side streets for public events and community gatherings. 00:18:39.000 --> 00:18:44.000 So you have a printout of each of these in front of you so that you can kind of keep looking at them. 00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:51.000 What we're going to do now on your phone, you're going to have two questions that pop up for you, and it's a little slider you can check from one to five. 00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:57.000 First, how well do you feel these priorities capture downtown needs? So are we hitting on the right things in this category? 00:18:57.000 --> 00:19:06.000 The second one is if you're thinking about today, this is for benchmarking a little bit. If you're thinking about today, how well do you think we're currently achieving those priorities? 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:15.000 So when you put those in and hit submit, we'll actually begin to see them on the screen. 00:19:15.000 --> 00:19:28.000 And what you'll see, the 3.8 and 3.2 that we have right now are the averages. And then you can also see the distribution of the votes. So we can see most people are voting fours and fives in this section. 00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:46.000 In this section, we're sitting kind of in the middle, around a three. We've had 10 people. I think they have a few more coming. 00:19:46.000 --> 00:20:00.000 I think we've got 16. Okay, great. So the results in this one, as you can see, is that we have a fairly wide consensus that this is fairly important and that this is in the right direction. 00:20:00.000 --> 00:20:15.000 And the sort of consensus is that we're doing okay in this area. We're kind of right in the middle in terms of how well we're currently serving this particular area. 00:20:15.000 --> 00:20:19.000 Okay, we'll move on to the next one. 00:20:19.000 --> 00:20:38.000 In retail and commercial development, invest in areas around the square to improve businesses and housing variety, public safety, overall aesthetics, improve public spaces to encourage foot traffic, and inspire building upkeep, emphasize the historical component and preservation, 00:20:38.000 --> 00:20:51.000 protect and promote the local business community, especially -- well, it says including, but I think one of the things we've heard a lot about is continuing to really move beyond the square and really seeing that business community grow. 00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:57.000 And then filling empty storefronts and vacant lots with unique local shops and food and beverage options. 00:20:57.000 --> 00:21:26.000 So we have the same questions. How well do these priorities capture the needs? And how do you think downtown is currently doing in these priorities? 00:21:26.000 --> 00:21:36.000 We're up to 14. I think we had 16 total. 17. Okay, perfect. 00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:47.000 We have a couple more now, too. So you can see on this one, you know, we are at a point where, again, we have a pretty solid consensus that these are capturing downtown's needs pretty well. 00:21:47.000 --> 00:21:57.000 And similarly, you can see that we are kind of doing right about in the middle in terms of how well we're doing currently. 00:21:57.000 --> 00:22:13.000 Parks and public space, creating a network of green spaces and public parks with amenities such as community gardens, picnic areas, kids play areas, adding more trees and landscaping in public places, building outdoor amenities like public seating, restrooms, water fountains, and more. 00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:41.000 Finding ways to activate underutilized areas such as alleys, vacant properties, and sidewalks, and preserving view corridors and viewsheds of downtown, including the courthouse and the Morrison-Milling silos. 00:22:41.000 --> 00:22:55.000 Okay. 00:22:55.000 --> 00:23:02.000 This is the highest one we've had in terms of capturing the priorities so far. And again, we're doing okay. 00:23:02.000 --> 00:23:19.000 The interesting -- this one, the previous distribution was kind of -- most people actually did both three. This one we have some people who are lower down here at two and actually a larger group and then some folks who are a little bit higher as well. 00:23:19.000 --> 00:23:22.600 for arts and entertainment, creating a marketing brand 00:23:22.600 --> 00:23:25.120 for the downtown area and using the brand to tie downtown 00:23:25.120 --> 00:23:27.760 to the surrounding community, encouraging and promoting 00:23:27.760 --> 00:23:30.760 public art and musical initiatives and festivals, 00:23:30.760 --> 00:23:33.000 building on current successes by adding new activities 00:23:33.000 --> 00:23:35.760 and events, especially for children and families, 00:23:35.760 --> 00:23:37.800 supporting the addition of interactive art, music, 00:23:37.800 --> 00:23:40.520 sculptures, and lighting to create engaging spaces, 00:23:40.520 --> 00:23:42.680 and then exploring the addition and improvement 00:23:42.680 --> 00:23:45.200 of a variety of music and art venues, stages, and theaters. 00:23:45.200 --> 00:23:48.680 So again, one of our potential economic development drivers 00:23:48.680 --> 00:23:50.160 downtown as well. 00:24:19.240 --> 00:24:20.400 Thank you, Greg. 00:24:20.400 --> 00:24:23.200 So again, a fairly strong consensus 00:24:23.200 --> 00:24:26.560 that we have captured some of the needs pretty well. 00:24:26.560 --> 00:24:27.920 In this case, we're actually seeing 00:24:27.920 --> 00:24:29.960 that people feel that we're actually 00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:31.640 doing a little bit better in this area 00:24:31.640 --> 00:24:33.760 than we are in some of the other ones as well. 00:24:33.760 --> 00:24:38.680 In traffic and transit, improve roadway safety 00:24:38.680 --> 00:24:40.200 for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists 00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:41.560 by implementing traffic closures 00:24:41.560 --> 00:24:43.400 on certain streets during events, 00:24:43.400 --> 00:24:45.160 as well as exploring road right sizing 00:24:45.160 --> 00:24:47.160 and traffic calming initiatives. 00:24:47.160 --> 00:24:50.040 Improving parking availability and management 00:24:50.040 --> 00:24:52.320 by upgrading lots with trees landscaping, 00:24:52.320 --> 00:24:54.960 adding wayfinding signage, considering construction 00:24:54.960 --> 00:24:57.560 of public parking garage in downtown area, 00:24:57.560 --> 00:25:00.040 enhancing accessibility and expanding 00:25:00.040 --> 00:25:01.680 and improving bus routes to the transit center 00:25:01.680 --> 00:25:03.040 and other key destinations. 00:25:17.160 --> 00:25:22.160 So again, a good consensus a little bit higher 00:25:22.160 --> 00:25:39.400 than some of the other ones, but this is another one 00:25:39.400 --> 00:25:40.880 where it looks like folks feel 00:25:40.880 --> 00:25:43.640 that we are not doing quite as well currently. 00:25:46.800 --> 00:25:49.440 Safety, improving perception of safety 00:25:49.440 --> 00:25:51.080 by partnering with service providers 00:25:51.080 --> 00:25:53.480 to address homelessness concerns and needs, 00:25:53.480 --> 00:25:54.880 designing streets with infrastructure 00:25:54.880 --> 00:25:58.040 to enable street closures and support outdoor events, 00:25:58.040 --> 00:25:59.720 define key pedestrian corridors, 00:25:59.720 --> 00:26:01.760 improve streetscapes, shade canopy and lighting, 00:26:01.760 --> 00:26:04.520 and improving maintenance and cleanliness on sidewalks. 00:26:16.800 --> 00:26:19.800 So another one, we have, again, a fairly good consensus 00:26:19.800 --> 00:26:22.800 that we're addressing the right areas, 00:26:22.800 --> 00:26:25.200 and it looks like the, especially looking 00:26:25.200 --> 00:26:28.640 at the distribution, this is one that a lot of people feel 00:26:28.640 --> 00:26:31.280 that we need some sort of improvement 00:26:31.280 --> 00:26:33.040 in the way that we are doing it. 00:26:33.040 --> 00:26:35.520 So again, a little bit higher than some of the other ones, 00:26:35.520 --> 00:26:38.560 but this is another one where it looks like folks feel 00:26:38.560 --> 00:26:40.800 that we are not doing quite as well currently. 00:26:40.800 --> 00:26:43.600 So again, a little bit higher than some of the other ones, 00:26:43.600 --> 00:26:45.520 but this is one that a lot of folks feel 00:26:45.520 --> 00:26:48.000 that we'd need some significant work in. 00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:53.560 In housing development, address rising rents 00:26:53.560 --> 00:26:55.880 and housing affordability through increased housing supply, 00:26:55.880 --> 00:26:58.200 mixed-use development, and more residential options 00:26:58.200 --> 00:27:00.560 to buy vibrant local communities. 00:27:00.560 --> 00:27:02.760 Providing more housing options downtown, 00:27:02.760 --> 00:27:04.200 establishing a variety of housing stock 00:27:04.200 --> 00:27:06.600 that will appeal to many different residents. 00:27:15.880 --> 00:27:32.880 [ Noise ] 00:27:32.880 --> 00:27:34.920 So it looks like this one has, I think, 00:27:34.920 --> 00:27:36.920 probably rated the lowest out of the priorities 00:27:36.920 --> 00:27:40.080 that we have so far. 00:27:43.880 --> 00:27:46.800 This is the final one, culture. 00:27:46.800 --> 00:27:48.800 Foster increased diversity and inclusion 00:27:48.800 --> 00:27:50.120 through the acknowledgement of history 00:27:50.120 --> 00:27:53.160 and increased opportunities for all Dentonites. 00:27:53.160 --> 00:27:56.000 Protect and continue to embody what people love most 00:27:56.000 --> 00:27:58.280 about the feel of Denton, including the community pride, 00:27:58.280 --> 00:28:00.960 welcoming atmosphere, and the historic scale. 00:28:00.960 --> 00:28:04.760 Celebrate and connect downtown to Denton's colleges 00:28:04.760 --> 00:28:07.440 and universities, and then highlight downtown culture 00:28:07.440 --> 00:28:10.720 within the broader Denton community and county. 00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:42.720 [ Noise ] 00:28:44.720 --> 00:28:48.720 I think we've stopped moving. 00:28:48.720 --> 00:28:52.160 So again, a fairly strong consensus, a little bit lower 00:28:52.160 --> 00:28:53.560 than some of the other areas. 00:28:53.560 --> 00:28:56.160 And then this, I think, is maybe the highest one we've seen 00:28:56.160 --> 00:28:58.080 in terms of how we are currently doing 00:28:58.080 --> 00:29:00.440 in terms of the culture area. 00:29:00.440 --> 00:29:05.880 One of the other things that we want to do with you, 00:29:05.880 --> 00:29:08.440 and this will be coming up on your screens now, 00:29:08.440 --> 00:29:10.720 is just understanding what your priorities are 00:29:10.720 --> 00:29:12.280 within these different categories. 00:29:12.280 --> 00:29:14.520 If you were sort of organizing them. 00:29:14.520 --> 00:29:18.920 So, as I said, our initial sort of, these are currently, 00:29:18.920 --> 00:29:21.040 the order that I gave you, was the order of the number 00:29:21.040 --> 00:29:23.000 of comments that we received from them. 00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:26.040 And we really believe that all of these areas are important, 00:29:26.040 --> 00:29:28.000 and these are all areas where when we're thinking 00:29:28.000 --> 00:29:31.120 about improvements and catalyst projects especially, 00:29:31.120 --> 00:29:34.960 we want projects that will address multiple of these areas. 00:29:34.960 --> 00:29:37.920 We want things that are working in common with each other. 00:29:37.920 --> 00:29:42.000 However, the benchmarking that we just did, as well as thinking 00:29:42.000 --> 00:29:45.160 about how the community sort of prioritizes these as kind 00:29:45.160 --> 00:29:47.360 of key needs and key opportunities, 00:29:47.360 --> 00:29:52.200 is also an important component of the ways that we would work 00:29:52.200 --> 00:29:55.120 to select some of those projects and put emphasis 00:29:55.120 --> 00:29:57.480 on some projects over others. 00:29:57.480 --> 00:29:59.400 So it looks like someone has kind of figured it out, 00:29:59.400 --> 00:30:02.640 and all you do is you kind of drag them up and start 00:30:02.640 --> 00:30:06.520 to put them in order, and we'll be seeing the averages pop 00:30:06.520 --> 00:30:10.920 up here in terms of the way that you all organize them. 00:30:10.920 --> 00:30:12.840 Once you've got them all in there in the order 00:30:12.840 --> 00:30:14.360 that you want, you just hit submit, 00:30:14.360 --> 00:30:17.040 and then we'll see it pop up on here, as well. 00:30:17.040 --> 00:30:46.680 [ Background noise ] 00:30:46.680 --> 00:31:15.720 [ Background noise ] 00:31:15.720 --> 00:31:30.480 [ Background noise ] 00:31:30.480 --> 00:31:32.680 >> Okay, we've got 17 folks in there. 00:31:32.680 --> 00:31:37.520 We're maybe waiting for-- we had a couple more submitting earlier. 00:31:37.520 --> 00:32:06.080 [ Background noise ] 00:32:06.080 --> 00:32:22.040 [ Background noise ] 00:32:22.040 --> 00:32:40.680 [ Background noise ] 00:32:40.680 --> 00:32:45.720 >> Okay. Okay, okay, I think we're here then. 00:32:45.720 --> 00:32:48.360 So the order that you all just gave us, 00:32:48.360 --> 00:32:52.080 retail and commercial development, first. 00:32:52.080 --> 00:32:54.800 Traffic and transit priorities, second. 00:32:54.800 --> 00:32:57.880 Bike and pedestrian safety and mobility, third. 00:32:57.880 --> 00:33:00.640 Safety is fourth. 00:33:00.640 --> 00:33:04.200 Very close to a tie in fifth is arts and entertainment 00:33:04.200 --> 00:33:06.920 and events and parks and public space. 00:33:06.920 --> 00:33:08.800 And then housing development 00:33:08.800 --> 00:33:13.040 and culture are the last areas here. 00:33:13.040 --> 00:33:15.800 So definitely a very interesting organization. 00:33:15.800 --> 00:33:17.400 You know, we continue to see retail 00:33:17.400 --> 00:33:19.920 and commercial development being one of those key drivers 00:33:19.920 --> 00:33:22.120 of what makes downtown, downtown. 00:33:22.120 --> 00:33:23.560 That makes a lot of sense. 00:33:23.560 --> 00:33:25.440 And part of the reason that we asked some 00:33:25.440 --> 00:33:27.720 of these questions is you'll remember 00:33:27.720 --> 00:33:28.880 in the mapping exercise 00:33:28.880 --> 00:33:31.120 where we were getting the initial comments, 00:33:31.120 --> 00:33:33.920 people were making specific comments about, you know, 00:33:33.920 --> 00:33:37.200 specific opportunities for improvement. 00:33:37.200 --> 00:33:39.480 So the top one that came 00:33:39.480 --> 00:33:42.360 out of that was the pedestrian safety and bike safety. 00:33:42.360 --> 00:33:44.960 And a lot of that we think is because people were putting, 00:33:44.960 --> 00:33:46.320 like there were 20 pins looking 00:33:46.320 --> 00:33:49.040 at specific different intersections whereas in some 00:33:49.040 --> 00:33:51.400 of the other categories people might just make one comment 00:33:51.400 --> 00:33:53.680 that was more general for a larger area. 00:33:53.680 --> 00:33:56.080 So that's part of the reason that we're kind of asking 00:33:56.080 --> 00:33:58.960 about priorities in multiple ways in order 00:33:58.960 --> 00:34:00.640 to kind of think about that. 00:34:00.640 --> 00:34:02.920 And as I said, I think one of the key things 00:34:02.920 --> 00:34:05.400 that we'll be really looking at is what types 00:34:05.400 --> 00:34:08.320 of catalyst projects could move forward retail 00:34:08.320 --> 00:34:12.160 and commercial development, the transportation priorities, 00:34:12.160 --> 00:34:15.720 parks and open space and the arts all at the same time. 00:34:15.720 --> 00:34:17.880 You know, so these aren't mutually exclusive. 00:34:17.880 --> 00:34:19.040 But it does help us in terms 00:34:19.040 --> 00:34:21.440 of thinking a little bit about our emphasis. 00:34:21.440 --> 00:34:23.600 We actually asked this question last night as well 00:34:23.600 --> 00:34:27.000 and I will show you the order that they came in in terms 00:34:27.000 --> 00:34:29.880 of the community that visited us last night. 00:34:29.880 --> 00:34:34.440 So again, retail and commercial development at the top 00:34:34.440 --> 00:34:38.520 in both times that we've done this, bike, pedestrian safety 00:34:38.520 --> 00:34:40.080 and mobility came in second. 00:34:40.080 --> 00:34:42.160 Safety, I think, and I'm going to switch back 00:34:42.160 --> 00:34:43.120 and forth here real quick. 00:34:43.120 --> 00:34:47.920 Safety came in fourth but came in third with the general public. 00:34:47.920 --> 00:34:51.760 We saw the parts in public space, arts and housing, 00:34:51.760 --> 00:34:55.120 all being fairly close together in that other one. 00:34:55.120 --> 00:34:58.080 And then we had traffic and transit and culture coming 00:34:58.080 --> 00:35:02.080 up as the last couple with the public group. 00:35:02.080 --> 00:35:04.640 We're going to kind of continue asking these prioritization 00:35:04.640 --> 00:35:07.400 questions so there will be some online activities as well 00:35:07.400 --> 00:35:09.600 that will match up with this as we're kind of continuing 00:35:09.600 --> 00:35:13.880 to broaden the feedback from a variety of different areas. 00:35:13.880 --> 00:35:16.440 But the council member here actually brought 00:35:16.440 --> 00:35:17.680 up a very interesting question 00:35:17.680 --> 00:35:19.600 that I'm wondering if you would mind restating. 00:35:19.600 --> 00:35:25.080 >> Yeah, I just asked why is number 8 separate from number 4 00:35:25.080 --> 00:35:27.880 on the previous list, why is culture a separate item 00:35:27.880 --> 00:35:30.840 than arts, entertainment and events? 00:35:30.840 --> 00:35:34.800 >> Yeah, I mean I think that's a really, really good opportunity 00:35:34.800 --> 00:35:37.480 and actually I think in looking at some 00:35:37.480 --> 00:35:40.360 of these a little bit more deeply another potential 00:35:40.360 --> 00:35:43.600 opportunity is the traffic and transit and the bike 00:35:43.600 --> 00:35:45.320 and pedestrian safety and mobility, 00:35:45.320 --> 00:35:48.680 a lot of those improvements are the same types of improvements. 00:35:48.680 --> 00:35:51.240 They're just looked at from a couple of different perspectives. 00:35:51.240 --> 00:35:54.280 So I do think that there might be some opportunities for us 00:35:54.280 --> 00:35:57.160 to potentially combine some of these categories in order 00:35:57.160 --> 00:36:00.880 to simplify things a little bit more that might again sort 00:36:00.880 --> 00:36:05.520 of change some of the ways of people looking at it. 00:36:05.520 --> 00:36:07.280 In the way that we had originally developed it, 00:36:07.280 --> 00:36:10.800 that arts, entertainment and events was a little bit more 00:36:10.800 --> 00:36:15.360 about like the Big Bang things if you will, the festivals 00:36:15.360 --> 00:36:17.440 and those sorts of areas whereas culture is more 00:36:17.440 --> 00:36:20.520 of an everyday lived experience. 00:36:20.520 --> 00:36:22.840 But they really play into each other. 00:36:22.840 --> 00:36:26.360 So I think your point is actually a very good one. 00:36:26.360 --> 00:36:28.960 Yeah. I think at this point we want to open it 00:36:28.960 --> 00:36:31.360 up to other questions or opportunities. 00:36:31.360 --> 00:36:34.760 It seems like we have a fairly good consensus in the room 00:36:34.760 --> 00:36:37.000 that we're pointing in a lot of the right directions 00:36:37.000 --> 00:36:40.400 that there may be some things here and there 00:36:40.400 --> 00:36:44.840 that could be added or expanded upon, challenges that we might want 00:36:44.840 --> 00:36:48.320 to address as well but it seems like from this group 00:36:48.320 --> 00:36:53.080 that we have here we actually have a fairly strong direction 00:36:53.080 --> 00:36:57.800 that we have kind of a lot of the right things going on here. 00:36:57.800 --> 00:37:01.400 So Mr. Mayor maybe I will allow you first 00:37:01.400 --> 00:37:04.360 if you have any statements or questions you'd like to bring 00:37:04.360 --> 00:37:06.640 up and then we can open it up to the room as well. 00:37:06.640 --> 00:37:09.440 >> Yeah. So I thank you, great presentation. 00:37:09.440 --> 00:37:13.640 And so what I'll just kind of shotgun my notes, right, 00:37:13.640 --> 00:37:18.120 and you work them in as needed, right? 00:37:18.120 --> 00:37:21.840 So you talk about an early in your presentation you talked 00:37:21.840 --> 00:37:24.040 about bringing properties out of the floodplain 00:37:24.040 --> 00:37:27.720 and that hadn't been studied enough or there's not enough time. 00:37:27.720 --> 00:37:30.800 I'm curious about that because West Prairie Street was done I 00:37:30.800 --> 00:37:33.360 think two, three years ago and so it seems 00:37:33.360 --> 00:37:35.240 like we should have some data from that 00:37:35.240 --> 00:37:37.920 but I'll take your direction from that. 00:37:37.920 --> 00:37:43.360 Then you touched on luxury market if you will, 00:37:43.360 --> 00:37:46.120 I think you said residences, maybe retail. 00:37:46.120 --> 00:37:49.400 Maybe you said retail and then we had our own study on housing 00:37:49.400 --> 00:37:54.120 that said from a housing stock we need higher end housing as well. 00:37:54.120 --> 00:37:58.120 So I want to know more about that component 00:37:58.120 --> 00:38:00.840 because I think that's important for us to capture 00:38:00.840 --> 00:38:03.840 and understand what your analysis is showing there. 00:38:03.840 --> 00:38:07.160 I want to hear about your process on accounting for voices 00:38:07.160 --> 00:38:08.480 that you don't hear from. 00:38:08.480 --> 00:38:12.320 Out of 151,000 people you heard from a percentage of those, 00:38:12.320 --> 00:38:15.320 how do you then factor in those others in your analysis? 00:38:15.320 --> 00:38:17.440 So I'd love to hear how the sausage is made. 00:38:17.440 --> 00:38:23.120 And then definition of local, that's a big one for me 00:38:23.120 --> 00:38:26.520 because you have like the shop local, all those things 00:38:26.520 --> 00:38:29.720 but you could have a local person that owns a franchise, right? 00:38:29.720 --> 00:38:32.160 Is that local or is that franchise? 00:38:32.160 --> 00:38:35.040 You know, so just kind of how this document is going to guide 00:38:35.040 --> 00:38:38.400 those decisions I think are what they're leveraging 00:38:38.400 --> 00:38:40.560 as a definition for that is important to me. 00:38:40.560 --> 00:38:43.880 From an art standpoint, I want to understand how you account 00:38:43.880 --> 00:38:50.280 for the prohibition or the anxiety or the dissenting opinions 00:38:50.280 --> 00:38:53.200 on using taxpayer dollars for payment, right? 00:38:53.200 --> 00:38:57.400 So there is a hill to overcome. 00:38:57.400 --> 00:39:00.800 We can debate on how big that hill is, but how do you account 00:39:00.800 --> 00:39:05.840 for that in your analysis of suggestion for art and that need 00:39:05.840 --> 00:39:08.480 and how do we overcome that and understanding those challenges 00:39:08.480 --> 00:39:10.280 that would face anything we move there. 00:39:10.280 --> 00:39:13.320 And then definition of affordable, you said affordable. 00:39:13.320 --> 00:39:17.800 Obviously not trying to get you to, you know, co-op something 00:39:17.800 --> 00:39:20.040 but just kind of what is your definition? 00:39:20.040 --> 00:39:23.440 What is that range and what does that look like when you say 00:39:23.440 --> 00:39:25.640 that in your study or in your report 00:39:25.640 --> 00:39:28.520 or whatever we're having these conversations would be helpful. 00:39:28.520 --> 00:39:33.000 And then lastly, we get into this a lot when you're talking 00:39:33.000 --> 00:39:35.200 about downtown area, you talk about bringing stuff 00:39:35.200 --> 00:39:36.520 out of the floodplain. 00:39:36.520 --> 00:39:38.640 Well, how much of that land is developable? 00:39:38.640 --> 00:39:42.680 Truly accessible, able to be developed versus, hey, 00:39:42.680 --> 00:39:45.160 there's a piece of land here that we're never going 00:39:45.160 --> 00:39:48.960 to do anything with or there's a traffic encumbrance or something. 00:39:48.960 --> 00:39:53.360 But just that developable land analysis or kind 00:39:53.360 --> 00:40:00.400 of specific areas where you see opportunities despite other areas 00:40:00.400 --> 00:40:02.160 where there may be opportunity but you can't get to it 00:40:02.160 --> 00:40:05.640 or it's too far off or make a left turn here is not doable 00:40:05.640 --> 00:40:06.960 but it's an empty piece of land. 00:40:06.960 --> 00:40:10.960 So Google Maps view versus reality analysis. 00:40:10.960 --> 00:40:13.480 >> Yeah, and those are all great. 00:40:13.480 --> 00:40:15.880 We're going to-- I'm going to take down notes 00:40:15.880 --> 00:40:17.120 on everybody's comments here. 00:40:17.120 --> 00:40:18.920 I might not be able to actually address them all 00:40:18.920 --> 00:40:21.560 in the room today but they're all definitely elements 00:40:21.560 --> 00:40:23.400 that we will follow up on. 00:40:23.400 --> 00:40:28.000 I think I will just-- to that last point with regards 00:40:28.000 --> 00:40:31.440 to the components that just came out of the floodplain most recently 00:40:31.440 --> 00:40:37.320 with the most recent projects, a large portion of that is developable. 00:40:37.320 --> 00:40:39.720 There are some challenges in terms of some 00:40:39.720 --> 00:40:42.240 of the infrastructure encumbrances and other things like that 00:40:42.240 --> 00:40:46.840 but that actually is an area that we would, I think, see a lot of. 00:40:46.840 --> 00:40:48.800 The data that we were getting and you remember 00:40:48.800 --> 00:40:51.680 that floodplain map was just updated this last June. 00:40:51.680 --> 00:40:55.080 So the most recent assessment data that we have is a year old 00:40:55.080 --> 00:40:56.760 and those assessments haven't been updated yet. 00:40:56.760 --> 00:40:59.480 So as we're getting more information from that, 00:40:59.480 --> 00:41:01.920 we'll be able to continue to update that. 00:41:01.920 --> 00:41:04.600 And as we're getting into the development of some 00:41:04.600 --> 00:41:07.920 of these catalyst projects, we really will be working to drill 00:41:07.920 --> 00:41:10.840 down on what the real numbers look like in terms 00:41:10.840 --> 00:41:13.520 of thinking about how we are. 00:41:13.520 --> 00:41:17.280 I will just say flat out that one of my goals is to make sure 00:41:17.280 --> 00:41:19.800 that the city doesn't spend a cent on something 00:41:19.800 --> 00:41:24.200 that it wouldn't have to in order for a development to happen, right? 00:41:24.200 --> 00:41:27.640 But we want to understand what is that math problem 00:41:27.640 --> 00:41:30.880 that the developers are doing so that we can be smart about thinking 00:41:30.880 --> 00:41:33.040 about where incentives are needed and when they're not 00:41:33.040 --> 00:41:35.560 and when they're providing public benefit and when they're not. 00:41:35.560 --> 00:41:38.240 So that will be a portion of our analysis that will kind 00:41:38.240 --> 00:41:40.480 of continue to get deeper as well. 00:41:40.480 --> 00:41:46.120 But these are all great comments and it may be the only, again, 00:41:46.120 --> 00:41:48.200 I don't want to dive too deeply into everything. 00:41:48.200 --> 00:41:53.000 But I do want to say we see a need for units 00:41:53.000 --> 00:41:55.200 across the income spectrum. 00:41:55.200 --> 00:41:58.840 Right now, the higher end part of the spectrum is an area 00:41:58.840 --> 00:42:02.280 that has been missing from new development downtown. 00:42:02.280 --> 00:42:06.400 But we also do see challenges in affordability for people 00:42:06.400 --> 00:42:09.160 who have been in the community for a long time. 00:42:09.160 --> 00:42:14.280 And when I say affordable, I mean homes that are affordable 00:42:14.280 --> 00:42:16.920 to people based on their incomes, right? 00:42:16.920 --> 00:42:20.880 So every single one of us needs an affordable home based 00:42:20.880 --> 00:42:23.760 on our income and we all probably have different incomes. 00:42:23.760 --> 00:42:27.440 So we're looking at the actual distribution of people 00:42:27.440 --> 00:42:31.680 who are in the community now as well as the trend lines 00:42:31.680 --> 00:42:34.080 in terms of what people we see are moving to the community 00:42:34.080 --> 00:42:36.280 and want to be in the community and looking 00:42:36.280 --> 00:42:40.000 at how we approach finding housing that is going 00:42:40.000 --> 00:42:43.000 to match those needs in the long term. 00:42:45.000 --> 00:42:46.320 - Thank you. 00:42:46.320 --> 00:42:47.680 - Council Member? 00:42:47.680 --> 00:42:50.560 - Yeah, I'll let you call on whomever, 00:42:50.560 --> 00:42:51.400 it's easier that way. 00:42:51.400 --> 00:42:53.000 - Okay, yeah, Council Member Byrd. 00:42:53.000 --> 00:42:58.120 - From what I understand, the city of Denton is running 00:42:58.120 --> 00:43:03.120 at about 50% somewhere there in rental units, 00:43:03.120 --> 00:43:09.980 which personally, I think it's rather high. 00:43:09.980 --> 00:43:13.480 I just had an opportunity to speak 00:43:13.480 --> 00:43:17.160 with the President of University of North Texas 00:43:17.160 --> 00:43:20.520 in our conversation related to housing. 00:43:20.520 --> 00:43:25.240 He noted that they had to turn away 2,500 students 00:43:25.240 --> 00:43:28.520 that were trying to find housing on campus. 00:43:28.520 --> 00:43:30.480 So of course, that's pushing those students out 00:43:30.480 --> 00:43:33.860 into the community, into our rental space, 00:43:33.860 --> 00:43:37.800 which is quite concerning. 00:43:37.800 --> 00:43:39.160 Of course, they can take care of that 00:43:39.160 --> 00:43:42.800 with all the money that they have in purchasing. 00:43:43.640 --> 00:43:48.640 But my thing is the traffic and transit. 00:43:48.640 --> 00:43:52.240 I think our traffic and transit system here in Denton 00:43:52.240 --> 00:43:53.640 needs a lot of work. 00:43:53.640 --> 00:43:57.400 Everyone knows in the room that I'm not a fan 00:43:57.400 --> 00:44:00.420 of our current transit situation. 00:44:00.420 --> 00:44:05.680 But I'm also thinking about the folks that we do invite 00:44:05.680 --> 00:44:09.600 into our community that stays at the embassy suites 00:44:09.600 --> 00:44:14.600 in all of our hotels, tourism folks that are outliers 00:44:14.600 --> 00:44:17.360 out there on 35. 00:44:17.360 --> 00:44:19.560 And then we invite them into downtown 00:44:19.560 --> 00:44:25.720 to go to our breweries and do adult stuff that adults do. 00:44:25.720 --> 00:44:28.840 And then we expect them for them to come go back out 00:44:28.840 --> 00:44:32.680 to wherever they came from in whatever manner 00:44:32.680 --> 00:44:33.600 that they came from. 00:44:33.600 --> 00:44:37.280 It could be driving in with a car, looking for parking, 00:44:37.280 --> 00:44:39.440 which we got a parking problem. 00:44:39.440 --> 00:44:42.240 And then they got to go home in that same car. 00:44:42.240 --> 00:44:44.960 So we don't know what they're doing in between. 00:44:44.960 --> 00:44:48.400 So I think the traffic and transit needs to be a little higher 00:44:48.400 --> 00:44:49.920 on the list of concerns. 00:44:49.920 --> 00:44:53.460 And of course, that goes along with safety for all of us. 00:44:53.460 --> 00:44:57.480 I think our arts and entertainment area, 00:44:57.480 --> 00:44:59.440 it seems like to me right now, 00:44:59.440 --> 00:45:01.560 because we're at a crossroads, 00:45:01.560 --> 00:45:05.740 it seems like we've got to start looking at districts. 00:45:05.740 --> 00:45:07.360 We have an entertainment district. 00:45:07.360 --> 00:45:10.240 If we have an arts district, if we have a building district, 00:45:10.240 --> 00:45:12.400 I don't know what we're gonna call those districts. 00:45:12.400 --> 00:45:15.520 But, and that means that we're growing 00:45:15.520 --> 00:45:18.480 and people have different interests. 00:45:18.480 --> 00:45:22.900 So I think that if we can get our traffic and transit, 00:45:22.900 --> 00:45:26.360 if people don't wanna walk, 00:45:26.360 --> 00:45:29.200 I'm talking about walkability and bikeability. 00:45:29.200 --> 00:45:33.780 How does all of that translate to us getting them, 00:45:33.780 --> 00:45:38.780 our visitors from 35E over into downtown 00:45:38.780 --> 00:45:41.920 and back to 35E after they've done 00:45:41.920 --> 00:45:43.180 whatever they're gonna do. 00:45:43.180 --> 00:45:45.760 That's concerning to me. 00:45:45.760 --> 00:45:49.080 That's a couple of my priorities there. 00:45:49.080 --> 00:45:53.780 And so the arts and entertainment and events, 00:45:53.780 --> 00:45:56.440 and then the traffic and transit, 00:45:56.440 --> 00:45:59.640 and then the culture that we're sending out there 00:45:59.640 --> 00:46:02.120 to the world is that if you wanna be inclusive, 00:46:02.120 --> 00:46:04.440 if you're a creative person, 00:46:04.440 --> 00:46:06.720 if you're an academic person, 00:46:06.720 --> 00:46:10.080 you know, and if you're working and living and playing here, 00:46:10.080 --> 00:46:12.200 that's part of our culture. 00:46:12.200 --> 00:46:15.480 We wanna capture you into all of this. 00:46:15.480 --> 00:46:16.640 You know, that's the other thing. 00:46:16.640 --> 00:46:18.720 And of course, I'm safety. 00:46:18.720 --> 00:46:21.280 Safety is a priority for me. 00:46:21.280 --> 00:46:25.040 I'm glad that our city has taken on the opportunity 00:46:25.040 --> 00:46:27.080 to have ambassadors downtown now. 00:46:27.080 --> 00:46:30.680 I think that's coming up very soon. 00:46:30.680 --> 00:46:35.680 That's important, but the whole traffic and transit thing 00:46:35.680 --> 00:46:38.480 bothers me terribly. 00:46:38.480 --> 00:46:42.360 So with that being said, 00:46:42.360 --> 00:46:50.160 I believe that our downtown area also is exuding this era 00:46:50.160 --> 00:46:57.320 and feeling of the 19, whatever, 30s and 40s. 00:46:57.320 --> 00:47:00.000 We kinda like that, apparently. 00:47:00.000 --> 00:47:03.340 We like the old-ness, but the new-ness of it all. 00:47:03.340 --> 00:47:09.320 So we gotta bring these developers in 00:47:09.320 --> 00:47:11.720 that has that same kinda mindset. 00:47:11.720 --> 00:47:14.000 Where do we find these folks? 00:47:14.000 --> 00:47:15.360 We'll leave it right there, thank you. 00:47:15.360 --> 00:47:17.200 - Thank you, those are very astute observations. 00:47:17.200 --> 00:47:18.120 I appreciate that. 00:47:18.120 --> 00:47:22.440 Let's go to Metzler and then Council Member. 00:47:22.440 --> 00:47:26.880 Right, yeah, I'm sorry. 00:47:26.880 --> 00:47:29.920 I know your first name, and I was blanking, my bad. 00:47:29.920 --> 00:47:30.960 Go to our back. 00:47:30.960 --> 00:47:32.880 - People always just call me Meltzer. 00:47:32.880 --> 00:47:35.680 (audience laughing) 00:47:35.680 --> 00:47:38.720 First of all, I would just say I'm really heartened 00:47:38.720 --> 00:47:43.720 by how well I feel this captures community sentiment. 00:47:43.720 --> 00:47:46.460 I recognize Denton in this. 00:47:46.460 --> 00:47:51.680 Secondly, just my main focus would be 00:47:51.680 --> 00:47:54.680 that the whole out-of-the-flood-plane thing, 00:47:54.680 --> 00:47:59.680 it's not an asterisk, it's not one more column. 00:48:00.040 --> 00:48:02.280 It's a historic opportunity. 00:48:02.280 --> 00:48:04.280 It's a very unique moment that the voters 00:48:04.280 --> 00:48:06.680 have just approved the funding to make that happen. 00:48:06.680 --> 00:48:09.200 If you look at the landmass, they were talking about it, 00:48:09.200 --> 00:48:11.960 if we can really embrace the directions 00:48:11.960 --> 00:48:14.140 that come out of the vision and look holistically 00:48:14.140 --> 00:48:17.480 at what the greater downtown experience would be 00:48:17.480 --> 00:48:22.480 and create an aspirational vision to enroll people in 00:48:22.480 --> 00:48:27.640 that comes from the community. 00:48:29.200 --> 00:48:31.120 This is a truly long-term-- 00:48:31.120 --> 00:48:33.040 - And if I may, I think that matches so well 00:48:33.040 --> 00:48:35.080 with Council Member Byrd's conversation 00:48:35.080 --> 00:48:37.400 about districts as well, yeah. 00:48:37.400 --> 00:48:39.840 Thank you. 00:48:39.840 --> 00:48:47.720 Just to speak to the community sentiment, 00:48:47.720 --> 00:48:49.920 in addition to all of the engagement we've done, 00:48:49.920 --> 00:48:51.640 we've also done a significant number 00:48:51.640 --> 00:48:53.840 of stakeholder interviews as well with people 00:48:53.840 --> 00:48:56.280 from a variety of different perspectives. 00:48:56.280 --> 00:49:01.240 I will be frank that I think it's astonishing, 00:49:01.240 --> 00:49:05.120 we've heard far more consensus than not 00:49:05.120 --> 00:49:08.720 from a wide variety of very, very different people 00:49:08.720 --> 00:49:10.520 with very, very different perspectives. 00:49:10.520 --> 00:49:12.400 There's a lot of different perspectives 00:49:12.400 --> 00:49:16.440 on how to get there, but there is a community 00:49:16.440 --> 00:49:21.440 that is unified around a broad and I think good consensus 00:49:21.440 --> 00:49:25.840 around what downtown can be for Denton. 00:49:25.840 --> 00:49:29.600 So it's very exciting to work in that atmosphere. 00:49:29.600 --> 00:49:33.600 - Yeah, I appreciate the comments of the mayor 00:49:33.600 --> 00:49:34.760 and then you're following with him 00:49:34.760 --> 00:49:38.640 because my comments relate sort of the reverse of that 00:49:38.640 --> 00:49:42.360 and that is, so if we're trying to achieve these goals 00:49:42.360 --> 00:49:45.480 and you two had a dialogue about, 00:49:45.480 --> 00:49:49.720 yes, those are goals in alignment with Denton 00:49:49.720 --> 00:49:52.040 and Council Member Metzler also mentioned 00:49:52.040 --> 00:49:53.520 that this seems to be in alignment. 00:49:53.520 --> 00:49:58.160 I think we've always been trying to meet our citizens goals. 00:49:58.160 --> 00:50:03.160 So if we're agreeing with the goals of the goals, 00:50:03.160 --> 00:50:06.280 we mostly were getting four pluses 00:50:06.280 --> 00:50:07.960 on a lot of those categories, 00:50:07.960 --> 00:50:11.280 but we were getting two to three at best 00:50:11.280 --> 00:50:14.160 on how well we're attaining it. 00:50:14.160 --> 00:50:16.760 We've been trying to attain it for a hundred years, 00:50:16.760 --> 00:50:21.880 maybe since the downtown and Dent blew up in the 70s or so. 00:50:21.880 --> 00:50:26.360 So what, I guess, what aren't we achieving 00:50:26.360 --> 00:50:30.320 and why aren't we achieving would be the questions I have 00:50:30.320 --> 00:50:33.160 because we've been trying to get to these things 00:50:33.160 --> 00:50:35.560 for 50 years. 00:50:35.560 --> 00:50:37.760 - And that's extremely astute 00:50:37.760 --> 00:50:42.760 and I think that one of the real opportunities here 00:50:42.760 --> 00:50:46.120 is this issue of the devil being in the details. 00:50:46.120 --> 00:50:49.000 I don't know, while we've had this sort of consensus 00:50:49.000 --> 00:50:50.400 and we have a strong idea, 00:50:50.400 --> 00:50:52.960 I think of where downtown needs to be, 00:50:52.960 --> 00:50:55.120 we haven't yet had a moment that I'm aware of, 00:50:55.120 --> 00:50:56.520 at least in the research that we've done, 00:50:56.520 --> 00:51:00.800 where all of the city's sort of tools and strategies 00:51:00.800 --> 00:51:04.000 were all aligned towards a singular vision at the same time. 00:51:04.000 --> 00:51:07.520 And I think that really working through the details 00:51:07.520 --> 00:51:10.240 and how to think about the funding tools, 00:51:10.240 --> 00:51:12.840 the different types of regulatory tools, 00:51:12.840 --> 00:51:14.440 the different types of programmatic tools 00:51:14.440 --> 00:51:16.520 and how important things like the ambassadors, for example, 00:51:16.520 --> 00:51:19.280 can be as a component of that as well, 00:51:19.280 --> 00:51:22.840 as well as working to align a public vision 00:51:22.840 --> 00:51:26.320 and then the private and even nonprofit responses, 00:51:26.320 --> 00:51:28.440 again, all moving towards the same thing 00:51:28.440 --> 00:51:31.760 so that we really have a lockstep ability 00:51:31.760 --> 00:51:34.080 to move those things forward 00:51:34.080 --> 00:51:36.800 in a really cohesive and comprehensive way. 00:51:36.800 --> 00:51:40.440 So as we are moving into the development of these catalysts 00:51:40.440 --> 00:51:42.440 and the development of these recommendations, 00:51:42.440 --> 00:51:45.360 we're gonna be looking deeply at the funding sources, 00:51:45.360 --> 00:51:47.040 the different types of tools, 00:51:47.040 --> 00:51:48.840 both that the city already has, 00:51:48.840 --> 00:51:51.360 but also ones that are available to the folks 00:51:51.360 --> 00:51:53.200 in the state of Texas that we haven't used yet 00:51:53.200 --> 00:51:56.920 to see if they're appropriate for opportunities. 00:51:56.920 --> 00:51:58.680 And so I think that's gonna be 00:51:58.680 --> 00:52:01.760 a really important component of that. 00:52:01.760 --> 00:52:03.600 - Let me have just a real brief follow-up, 00:52:03.600 --> 00:52:05.600 and that is another comment 00:52:05.600 --> 00:52:07.320 that came out of last night's workshop 00:52:07.320 --> 00:52:12.320 was over-planning versus organic. 00:52:12.320 --> 00:52:15.720 So while I 100% agree with what you just said, 00:52:15.720 --> 00:52:19.120 I think we do need to be mindful 00:52:19.120 --> 00:52:23.440 to let it form the way it needs to form on its own 00:52:23.440 --> 00:52:26.040 as opposed to pushing a particular narrative. 00:52:26.040 --> 00:52:28.160 - No, I totally agree with that as well, 00:52:28.160 --> 00:52:30.960 and I think that it comes back to, 00:52:30.960 --> 00:52:33.560 I started my career in Houston. 00:52:33.560 --> 00:52:36.040 We didn't have zoning, we didn't have regulatory tools, 00:52:36.040 --> 00:52:38.040 we didn't do any of that stuff. 00:52:38.040 --> 00:52:41.880 We had to work with the public and the private landowners 00:52:41.880 --> 00:52:43.880 to achieve strategic visions 00:52:43.880 --> 00:52:45.840 and be sophisticated about the ways 00:52:45.840 --> 00:52:47.720 that we're nudging in certain ways, 00:52:47.720 --> 00:52:49.840 but there's other things that need to happen organically 00:52:49.840 --> 00:52:52.440 and that we're facilitating in the right ways 00:52:52.440 --> 00:52:54.640 to get some of the things that we need for the community, 00:52:54.640 --> 00:52:55.680 especially if they're things 00:52:55.680 --> 00:52:58.120 that ultimately the market won't produce, 00:52:58.120 --> 00:52:59.320 but that in a lot of cases, 00:52:59.320 --> 00:53:01.080 we're letting the market do its thing 00:53:01.080 --> 00:53:03.720 and making sure that we can move in the right directions. 00:53:03.720 --> 00:53:05.480 And that's gonna be an important part 00:53:05.480 --> 00:53:07.280 of really thinking through the strategy 00:53:07.280 --> 00:53:10.600 and thinking through how to bring partners to the table 00:53:10.600 --> 00:53:12.720 in terms of the private sector or nonprofits 00:53:12.720 --> 00:53:14.840 that are also going to be strategically aligned 00:53:14.840 --> 00:53:17.320 with the city's goals in those pieces as well 00:53:17.320 --> 00:53:18.600 in order to achieve that. 00:53:18.600 --> 00:53:21.000 That's a great question. 00:53:21.000 --> 00:53:23.000 Sir, I can't see your name plate, I'm sorry. 00:53:23.000 --> 00:53:23.920 - Joe Holland. 00:53:23.920 --> 00:53:29.720 - I think it goes without saying that safety 00:53:29.720 --> 00:53:33.800 is or ought to be the first priority. 00:53:33.800 --> 00:53:38.800 It doesn't make any difference how entertaining anything is. 00:53:39.720 --> 00:53:42.880 If somebody isn't safe or doesn't perceive 00:53:42.880 --> 00:53:46.640 that they're gonna be safe, that's gonna keep them away. 00:53:46.640 --> 00:53:50.600 Now, and I wanna bounce off, the bird is the word, 00:53:50.600 --> 00:53:54.240 so I'm gonna bounce off of that a little bit. 00:53:54.240 --> 00:53:56.560 People who come to our community-- 00:53:56.560 --> 00:53:58.840 - They hear about the downtown square. 00:53:58.840 --> 00:54:00.520 - I can actually talk better than this, 00:54:00.520 --> 00:54:01.920 it's my microphone, I think. 00:54:01.920 --> 00:54:08.800 They come downtown and they're slapped 00:54:08.800 --> 00:54:12.600 with a feeling of not being safe. 00:54:12.600 --> 00:54:14.720 Now, I don't think that there's crime 00:54:14.720 --> 00:54:18.880 going on this downtown, but the perception, 00:54:18.880 --> 00:54:21.720 the boogeyman coming out from the shadows, 00:54:21.720 --> 00:54:24.840 boom, that kind of a thing frightens people, 00:54:24.840 --> 00:54:28.360 and if they don't feel safe, they're gonna stay away. 00:54:28.360 --> 00:54:30.840 I think that's hugely important. 00:54:30.840 --> 00:54:35.800 I was walking on the square yesterday, 00:54:35.800 --> 00:54:40.120 and I'm sure a very, very nice, very well-educated man 00:54:40.120 --> 00:54:42.840 rolled down his window, and there wasn't anybody else 00:54:42.840 --> 00:54:44.960 next to him, because I know he was talking to me. 00:54:44.960 --> 00:54:48.800 He said, hey, when are you gonna fix the, 00:54:48.800 --> 00:54:51.800 some word I don't know, streets? 00:54:51.800 --> 00:54:56.800 And I told him it was coming, it was happening very soon, 00:54:56.800 --> 00:54:58.240 but that's what I hear. 00:54:58.240 --> 00:55:00.360 I hear the problem from downtown. 00:55:02.840 --> 00:55:07.560 In my world, people are concerned about the streets 00:55:07.560 --> 00:55:12.000 and about the perceived safety of the downtown area. 00:55:12.000 --> 00:55:13.400 - You've hit on something I think 00:55:13.400 --> 00:55:15.240 that's really important there as well, 00:55:15.240 --> 00:55:20.240 is that a lot of the little things that we do 00:55:20.240 --> 00:55:22.600 can help some with those perceptions. 00:55:22.600 --> 00:55:24.480 Then there's other bigger things that we need to do 00:55:24.480 --> 00:55:28.160 in order to more directly address some of the challenges 00:55:28.160 --> 00:55:31.280 that we have with unhoused people, with drug abuse, 00:55:31.280 --> 00:55:32.760 with some of those other issues, 00:55:32.760 --> 00:55:35.960 and so I think that our strategy is likely 00:55:35.960 --> 00:55:39.080 to kind of take both approaches in terms of 00:55:39.080 --> 00:55:44.080 how do we help bring resources to downtown 00:55:44.080 --> 00:55:48.400 that can help with some of the big needs that folks have, 00:55:48.400 --> 00:55:50.240 things like the ambassadorship program, 00:55:50.240 --> 00:55:52.920 which would actually allow there to be folks 00:55:52.920 --> 00:55:57.240 that are present and able to assist with challenges, 00:55:57.240 --> 00:56:01.520 while also working to build up more activity downtown. 00:56:01.520 --> 00:56:04.680 I was there on Saturday, obviously, for the tree lighting, 00:56:04.680 --> 00:56:09.680 and I didn't feel at any point in anything that I saw 00:56:09.680 --> 00:56:13.240 that there were any safety concerns during that. 00:56:13.240 --> 00:56:15.080 There were so many people. 00:56:15.080 --> 00:56:18.000 There was so active, and so I think 00:56:18.000 --> 00:56:21.720 it's one of the big things is we do need to deal with that. 00:56:21.720 --> 00:56:23.600 We also need to do things that are gonna continue 00:56:23.600 --> 00:56:27.280 to attract more people and have more people 00:56:27.280 --> 00:56:28.960 in downtown, around downtown, 00:56:28.960 --> 00:56:31.040 because that's also gonna improve that perception, 00:56:31.040 --> 00:56:33.440 while also taking care of the little things, 00:56:33.440 --> 00:56:34.880 like, and it's not a little thing, 00:56:34.880 --> 00:56:36.880 but the streets and the sidewalks, 00:56:36.880 --> 00:56:40.760 and making sure that it's safe, pleasant, beautiful, 00:56:40.760 --> 00:56:43.480 and feels well-managed, I think, 00:56:43.480 --> 00:56:45.880 as a key component of that as well. 00:56:45.880 --> 00:56:47.000 So I think you've hit on some really, 00:56:47.000 --> 00:56:49.560 really important components of how all of these things 00:56:49.560 --> 00:56:52.800 ultimately tie together as well, I believe, 00:56:52.800 --> 00:56:54.480 and I apologize, I can't see your name plate. 00:56:54.480 --> 00:56:56.120 - You're good, my name is George Ferry, you're great. 00:56:56.120 --> 00:56:57.600 - George, thank you. 00:56:57.600 --> 00:56:59.520 - Hi, thank you. 00:56:59.520 --> 00:57:02.160 Speaking of perceptions, I have a couple questions 00:57:02.160 --> 00:57:04.080 regarding who created the bullet points 00:57:04.080 --> 00:57:06.080 for each of your slides, 00:57:06.080 --> 00:57:09.360 particularly the one that addresses housing. 00:57:09.360 --> 00:57:15.440 I think it's important, no, I'm sorry, safety. 00:57:15.440 --> 00:57:16.280 It's safety. 00:57:16.280 --> 00:57:20.560 Speaking of perception in downtown, 00:57:20.560 --> 00:57:22.400 because all of our perceptions are different, 00:57:22.400 --> 00:57:24.440 I'd like to know who's crafting these, 00:57:24.440 --> 00:57:26.320 because I think the first bullet point, 00:57:26.320 --> 00:57:28.280 improve perception of safety by partnering 00:57:28.280 --> 00:57:29.520 with service providers to address 00:57:29.520 --> 00:57:31.160 homelessness concerns and needs. 00:57:31.160 --> 00:57:32.920 What are those concerns and needs? 00:57:32.920 --> 00:57:34.080 Who defined that? 00:57:34.080 --> 00:57:35.280 Who assessed that? 00:57:35.280 --> 00:57:37.160 And then who are the stakeholders that you said 00:57:37.160 --> 00:57:38.920 that you worked with to create these slides, 00:57:38.920 --> 00:57:40.400 specifically this one? 00:57:40.400 --> 00:57:45.000 As someone who works as a social worker in communities, 00:57:45.000 --> 00:57:47.360 I just would wonder how that came up, 00:57:47.360 --> 00:57:48.520 how you're addressing that, 00:57:48.520 --> 00:57:50.560 what that really means and entails. 00:57:50.560 --> 00:57:52.280 'Cause when we talk about people's perceptions 00:57:52.280 --> 00:57:54.080 of unhoused folk and people who experience 00:57:54.080 --> 00:57:55.880 different levels of unhouseness, 00:57:55.880 --> 00:57:59.520 and we talk about, as a city, we've multiple conversations 00:57:59.520 --> 00:58:01.800 have happened about pushing people off of the square, 00:58:01.800 --> 00:58:05.240 which is why Monsignor King is now all the way off 288 00:58:05.240 --> 00:58:07.240 in the middle of nowhere. 00:58:07.240 --> 00:58:11.400 In district one, district two, where I live, 00:58:11.400 --> 00:58:14.120 I just wonder what that means, 00:58:14.120 --> 00:58:16.240 and how you've come to that conclusion 00:58:16.240 --> 00:58:19.320 in this four bullet point safety measure. 00:58:19.320 --> 00:58:21.880 - Sure, so wherever it was possible, 00:58:21.880 --> 00:58:26.200 we utilized and combined actual comments 00:58:26.200 --> 00:58:28.960 that were coming directly from the public. 00:58:28.960 --> 00:58:30.960 Again, wherever it was possible. 00:58:30.960 --> 00:58:35.960 Sometimes trying to bring together thoughts 00:58:35.960 --> 00:58:38.240 that were in the same track, 00:58:38.240 --> 00:58:39.880 but had slightly different things, 00:58:39.880 --> 00:58:42.560 these might be an overly broad statement. 00:58:42.560 --> 00:58:44.440 One of the things that we will also be doing 00:58:44.440 --> 00:58:47.160 is actually releasing all of the original comments, 00:58:47.160 --> 00:58:48.200 so there will be a spreadsheet 00:58:48.200 --> 00:58:49.800 that actually has all of them. 00:58:51.040 --> 00:58:53.000 I will say that, unfortunately, 00:58:53.000 --> 00:58:55.680 some of the comments in that area that we received 00:58:55.680 --> 00:58:58.800 were, I would perceive, as derogatory, 00:58:58.800 --> 00:59:02.480 so we've tried to write this statement 00:59:02.480 --> 00:59:05.760 in a way that is sensitive, 00:59:05.760 --> 00:59:08.440 but may not go far enough, 00:59:08.440 --> 00:59:12.000 especially for someone who actually knows this area 00:59:12.000 --> 00:59:14.320 really intimately, and so, I mean, 00:59:14.320 --> 00:59:17.160 I believe that we are very open to thinking about ways 00:59:17.160 --> 00:59:19.760 that we can kind of continue to tailor that message, 00:59:19.760 --> 00:59:21.880 but even, I think, more importantly, 00:59:21.880 --> 00:59:25.760 is working with folks that have that knowledge and expertise 00:59:25.760 --> 00:59:28.320 as we are actually crafting what the strategies look like 00:59:28.320 --> 00:59:30.880 and the actions that we would take will look like. 00:59:30.880 --> 00:59:32.440 - So other than public comment, 00:59:32.440 --> 00:59:34.800 have you reached out to stakeholders 00:59:34.800 --> 00:59:37.840 for these initiatives already in the crafting of these? 00:59:37.840 --> 00:59:39.960 - We have had some conversations 00:59:39.960 --> 00:59:43.080 with some service providers regarding that, 00:59:43.080 --> 00:59:46.240 so sort of in more of an interview format, 00:59:47.440 --> 00:59:51.920 probably not extensively yet in any sort of specific area. 00:59:51.920 --> 00:59:56.280 And the stakeholders, we've had conversations 00:59:56.280 --> 00:59:58.960 with stakeholders who are service providers in this area. 00:59:58.960 --> 01:00:00.680 We've also had conversations 01:00:00.680 --> 01:00:02.840 with folks that represent musicians. 01:00:02.840 --> 01:00:05.440 We've had conversations with folks that represent 01:00:05.440 --> 01:00:07.040 a lot of different sectors 01:00:07.040 --> 01:00:10.120 as we're starting that information gathering, 01:00:10.120 --> 01:00:13.080 but I think we really welcome, and this is an area, 01:00:13.080 --> 01:00:15.040 especially where I think the nonprofit sector 01:00:15.040 --> 01:00:17.640 plays a really extremely important role. 01:00:17.640 --> 01:00:22.080 So I think we're very open to really having discussions 01:00:22.080 --> 01:00:25.280 and thinking about how we can craft recommendations 01:00:25.280 --> 01:00:29.960 that are workable and move in the right directions. 01:00:29.960 --> 01:00:33.520 - You mentioned you have a focus-- 01:00:33.520 --> 01:00:36.280 - Yes, yes, and that is, and I have a slide in a moment 01:00:36.280 --> 01:00:38.720 that'll talk a little bit about some of our next steps, 01:00:38.720 --> 01:00:41.640 but as we're identifying some of these areas 01:00:41.640 --> 01:00:44.760 that have come up as being especially important to downtown, 01:00:44.760 --> 01:00:46.720 we will be bringing together some focus groups 01:00:46.720 --> 01:00:50.640 and being able to expand upon our research in those areas. 01:00:50.640 --> 01:00:54.480 But as I said, I mean, I would love if you have 01:00:54.480 --> 01:00:57.480 especially specific comments we can follow up after, 01:00:57.480 --> 01:01:00.800 and we would be excited to continue to tailor that 01:01:00.800 --> 01:01:04.720 in a way that really represents the goals 01:01:04.720 --> 01:01:06.080 as well as possible. 01:01:06.080 --> 01:01:08.000 So thank you for that comment. 01:01:08.000 --> 01:01:10.280 - Is it possible to see today's vote? 01:01:10.280 --> 01:01:11.120 - Yes. 01:01:11.120 --> 01:01:12.800 - Thank you. 01:01:15.280 --> 01:01:17.560 (papers rustling) 01:01:17.560 --> 01:01:18.400 - Eric. 01:01:18.400 --> 01:01:21.320 Oh. 01:01:21.320 --> 01:01:22.360 (laughing) 01:01:22.360 --> 01:01:24.040 - Sorry, I'm gonna wait or just go? 01:01:24.040 --> 01:01:24.880 - Eric Hu. 01:01:24.880 --> 01:01:26.240 - Eric Hu. 01:01:26.240 --> 01:01:27.560 - Sorry, yes, Mr. Pruitt. 01:01:27.560 --> 01:01:29.880 - I, it's quite all right. 01:01:29.880 --> 01:01:32.080 I've been called many names in my life. 01:01:32.080 --> 01:01:35.280 The one common thing I see here, 01:01:35.280 --> 01:01:37.720 both from the community and from us this morning, 01:01:37.720 --> 01:01:41.600 is that people know downtown as retail, small business. 01:01:41.600 --> 01:01:43.000 Everybody loves it, right? 01:01:45.000 --> 01:01:46.680 It may sound counterintuitive, 01:01:46.680 --> 01:01:48.560 but I'm going to flip that on this head 01:01:48.560 --> 01:01:51.600 and try to be the standard bearer for housing. 01:01:51.600 --> 01:01:54.320 As I see the future of downtown, 01:01:54.320 --> 01:01:57.160 I understand why people interpret 01:01:57.160 --> 01:01:58.760 the existing downtown as that. 01:01:58.760 --> 01:02:04.920 But when I see growth, I see that if we grow that 01:02:04.920 --> 01:02:08.600 and depend on basically in commuting 01:02:08.600 --> 01:02:11.680 for supporting all of the additional businesses, 01:02:11.680 --> 01:02:15.240 we make almost every one of the challenge points 01:02:15.240 --> 01:02:17.320 that we've heard about worse, right? 01:02:17.320 --> 01:02:20.000 However, if we build a whole lot more housing, 01:02:20.000 --> 01:02:22.920 then traffic in transit gets easier 01:02:22.920 --> 01:02:24.400 because you have more density 01:02:24.400 --> 01:02:26.760 that you can more effectively move people on transit 01:02:26.760 --> 01:02:29.320 and you're not trying to in commute as many people. 01:02:29.320 --> 01:02:31.000 Bike and pedestrian safety gets easier 01:02:31.000 --> 01:02:33.520 'cause you have more people walking, more people biking, 01:02:33.520 --> 01:02:34.720 it just makes sense. 01:02:34.720 --> 01:02:36.920 Safety is better, you have eyes on the street. 01:02:36.920 --> 01:02:38.360 Arts and entertainment and events, 01:02:38.360 --> 01:02:40.200 you've got more people already there enjoying it, 01:02:40.200 --> 01:02:42.240 so you're maximizing the bang for the buck. 01:02:42.240 --> 01:02:45.000 Parks and public space, same thing, bang for the buck. 01:02:45.000 --> 01:02:49.280 Culture, it goes without saying that I think, 01:02:49.280 --> 01:02:51.320 as you pointed out before COVID, 01:02:51.320 --> 01:02:52.600 there were many people around here, 01:02:52.600 --> 01:02:54.600 not disparaging any thoughts, 01:02:54.600 --> 01:02:56.920 but who were saying we need more Class A office, 01:02:56.920 --> 01:02:58.520 we need more Class A office. 01:02:58.520 --> 01:03:00.360 And now we're in this wonderful position 01:03:00.360 --> 01:03:04.120 where we don't have 30% of our building stock 01:03:04.120 --> 01:03:05.720 just sitting there. 01:03:05.720 --> 01:03:08.120 So let's capitalize on that, 01:03:08.120 --> 01:03:11.200 make sure we're not overcompensating, 01:03:11.200 --> 01:03:14.120 but also make sure that we are planning 01:03:14.120 --> 01:03:17.680 for allowing a place that the comp plan talks about, 01:03:17.680 --> 01:03:18.720 live, work, and play. 01:03:18.720 --> 01:03:22.960 Quite honestly, the 900 unit assessment there 01:03:22.960 --> 01:03:25.440 is less than 5% of the growth in Denton 01:03:25.440 --> 01:03:27.560 that the comp plan says we'll have in 10 years. 01:03:27.560 --> 01:03:29.720 I'd like to see that 25%. 01:03:29.720 --> 01:03:34.040 - No, you've just done a wonderful job for me 01:03:34.040 --> 01:03:36.160 of really talking about the way 01:03:36.160 --> 01:03:37.960 that these strategies are interlinked 01:03:37.960 --> 01:03:40.560 and that the opportunities of them are interlinked, 01:03:40.560 --> 01:03:44.600 that ultimately we can approach housing goals 01:03:44.600 --> 01:03:48.040 in a way that supports local development, 01:03:48.040 --> 01:03:49.520 that supports your comment about districts, 01:03:49.520 --> 01:03:52.640 that supports your comment about the importance 01:03:52.640 --> 01:03:55.760 of the floodplain and so on as well. 01:03:55.760 --> 01:03:58.560 And I think you've really kind of hit the nail on the head 01:03:58.560 --> 01:04:00.000 in terms of the way that we think about the way 01:04:00.000 --> 01:04:02.440 that these things can actually interweave with each other 01:04:02.440 --> 01:04:05.760 in order to move towards the same strategic goals. 01:04:05.760 --> 01:04:08.280 Sir, and then we're gonna come to you next. 01:04:08.280 --> 01:04:11.160 - This question, I'm not familiar with the square. 01:04:11.160 --> 01:04:16.840 Some of the businesses, are they open till 2 a.m. 01:04:16.840 --> 01:04:18.760 like some of the restaurants are? 01:04:18.760 --> 01:04:20.960 'Cause I'm tying that in with the transit. 01:04:20.960 --> 01:04:22.840 - There's at least one 24-hour restaurant. 01:04:22.840 --> 01:04:25.720 - Okay, well, as far as transit goes, 01:04:25.720 --> 01:04:29.120 what are the hours of the transit, I know the buses. 01:04:29.120 --> 01:04:33.040 I would go on what Councilman Byrd said. 01:04:33.040 --> 01:04:35.600 If you wanna pull someone in from 35 01:04:35.600 --> 01:04:40.160 to come into downtown, and if I come 01:04:40.160 --> 01:04:42.360 and I know the transit ends at 11 o'clock, 01:04:42.360 --> 01:04:44.360 I'm more prone to drive a car. 01:04:44.360 --> 01:04:46.960 So that would be a big safety concern 01:04:46.960 --> 01:04:48.280 if I know I'm gonna be here 01:04:48.280 --> 01:04:51.280 and I can only be here till 11 o'clock to get back home. 01:04:51.280 --> 01:04:55.560 So traffic and transit, it's one of my biggest concerns. 01:04:55.560 --> 01:04:56.520 - Yeah. - All right, thank you. 01:04:56.520 --> 01:04:58.320 - Perfect, thank you so much, George. 01:04:58.320 --> 01:05:03.320 - I wanted to piggyback off what Erica said, and I agree. 01:05:03.320 --> 01:05:06.160 And I think it's important that for me, 01:05:06.160 --> 01:05:08.160 when I saw the priorities being number one, 01:05:08.160 --> 01:05:10.040 retail and commercial, I was surprised. 01:05:10.040 --> 01:05:11.400 'Cause for me, I'm thinking of like 01:05:11.400 --> 01:05:13.400 in the Terz district, downtown, 01:05:13.400 --> 01:05:15.840 there's so much vacant office space. 01:05:15.840 --> 01:05:17.920 Like a high percentage of office space 01:05:17.920 --> 01:05:20.680 just remains vacant in our downtown district, 01:05:20.680 --> 01:05:24.200 which is an opportunity missed to get more money 01:05:24.200 --> 01:05:26.940 to then get back into the revitalization of downtown, 01:05:26.940 --> 01:05:29.880 the square specific, that small like four block 01:05:29.880 --> 01:05:31.660 or whatever area. 01:05:31.660 --> 01:05:35.320 So I was just interested to see why retail and commercial 01:05:35.320 --> 01:05:37.120 is like one of the biggest priorities 01:05:37.120 --> 01:05:39.080 and another part close to that area 01:05:39.080 --> 01:05:40.800 when we have so much vacant space 01:05:40.800 --> 01:05:43.280 already waiting to be filled. 01:05:43.280 --> 01:05:45.420 And I think it plays into my actual ask, 01:05:45.420 --> 01:05:47.680 which is the educational piece, right? 01:05:47.680 --> 01:05:49.680 So like from my own lens, 01:05:49.680 --> 01:05:53.260 I think of when I'm gonna do a needs assessment 01:05:53.260 --> 01:05:55.140 in my community, I wanna make sure 01:05:55.140 --> 01:05:57.120 that I'm providing the education 01:05:57.120 --> 01:06:01.200 to help them answer the questions I really want data on. 01:06:01.200 --> 01:06:02.760 'Cause I wanna make sure that they understand 01:06:02.760 --> 01:06:04.520 when they say residential and commercial, 01:06:04.520 --> 01:06:06.760 we actually have quite a bit like right up the road 01:06:06.760 --> 01:06:09.160 from this little area that is accessible 01:06:09.160 --> 01:06:11.320 to these folk that wanna open businesses. 01:06:11.320 --> 01:06:13.760 So I just wanted to make sure 01:06:13.760 --> 01:06:16.560 that that's where we're coming from 01:06:16.560 --> 01:06:18.120 when we're asking these questions. 01:06:18.120 --> 01:06:20.800 Do they have this educational knowledge to tie into it? 01:06:20.800 --> 01:06:23.760 We currently have this much open space four blocks north. 01:06:23.760 --> 01:06:26.000 However, this is, you know what I'm saying? 01:06:26.000 --> 01:06:27.880 - Yeah, I absolutely, absolutely agree. 01:06:27.880 --> 01:06:30.600 And you know, I will say too to the comments 01:06:30.600 --> 01:06:33.120 on some of the office space and vacancies, 01:06:33.120 --> 01:06:35.120 one of the things that we're trying to dig into 01:06:35.120 --> 01:06:37.080 is why aren't those renting? 01:06:37.080 --> 01:06:38.520 What's been the barrier to that? 01:06:38.520 --> 01:06:39.600 Is it about the spaces? 01:06:39.600 --> 01:06:43.620 Is it about the affordability for small businesses? 01:06:43.620 --> 01:06:47.160 I think one of the things, 01:06:47.160 --> 01:06:48.640 and just to speak a minute 01:06:48.640 --> 01:06:51.520 to the small business opportunity especially, 01:06:51.520 --> 01:06:56.520 is that right now, looking from a market perspective, 01:06:56.520 --> 01:06:58.720 it is very difficult to build new buildings 01:06:58.720 --> 01:07:02.940 that are affordable for retail and restaurant spaces, 01:07:02.940 --> 01:07:06.320 which means our historic building stock 01:07:06.320 --> 01:07:08.280 is a very important asset 01:07:08.280 --> 01:07:09.880 because we have places where we might be able 01:07:09.880 --> 01:07:11.200 to accommodate that. 01:07:11.200 --> 01:07:15.000 At the same time, we see opportunities and gaps 01:07:15.000 --> 01:07:17.020 in terms of the spaces that are available, 01:07:17.020 --> 01:07:20.080 especially for people who want to try out new business ideas, 01:07:20.080 --> 01:07:21.920 who wanna integrate a new business idea, 01:07:21.920 --> 01:07:24.300 and that that's also been a barrier for folks 01:07:24.300 --> 01:07:27.120 who might not have the capital or the wealth base 01:07:27.120 --> 01:07:29.920 to be able to move into that entrepreneurship space fully. 01:07:29.920 --> 01:07:33.280 So expanding on the types of office spaces 01:07:33.280 --> 01:07:34.920 that might be available, 01:07:34.920 --> 01:07:37.400 sorry, not office, retail spaces that might be available, 01:07:37.400 --> 01:07:42.400 thinking about the pathway from an idea to brick and mortar, 01:07:42.400 --> 01:07:45.080 there's a lot of steps in between there 01:07:45.080 --> 01:07:47.440 that we can use to kind of create more opportunities, 01:07:47.440 --> 01:07:49.080 and that that may also be a place 01:07:49.080 --> 01:07:51.840 where we can continue to diversify the businesses 01:07:51.840 --> 01:07:53.740 and who they serve within downtown. 01:07:53.740 --> 01:07:56.320 So there's a lot of little pieces and a lot of details 01:07:56.320 --> 01:07:57.920 that I think we're excited to get into, 01:07:57.920 --> 01:08:01.800 and I also just, I love your point about the messaging, 01:08:01.800 --> 01:08:04.360 the education, and making sure that people feel 01:08:04.360 --> 01:08:07.240 that they have the data in order to make good decisions 01:08:07.240 --> 01:08:09.200 about these things, and that's definitely something 01:08:09.200 --> 01:08:11.700 that we'll continue to work towards. 01:08:11.700 --> 01:08:12.540 Thank you. 01:08:12.540 --> 01:08:14.480 Mayor. 01:08:14.480 --> 01:08:16.040 - You wanna touch on next steps? 01:08:16.040 --> 01:08:16.880 - Sure. 01:08:16.880 --> 01:08:20.520 So just to speak a little bit 01:08:20.520 --> 01:08:23.640 to some of the most important next steps 01:08:23.640 --> 01:08:25.480 that will be coming up. 01:08:25.480 --> 01:08:28.400 We will be recording a video of the entire case for action 01:08:28.400 --> 01:08:31.440 as well as releasing the data analysis that we have, 01:08:31.440 --> 01:08:35.800 and we will have one video that's all 50 slides, 01:08:35.800 --> 01:08:38.840 that's probably an hour of me and other people talking. 01:08:38.840 --> 01:08:41.560 We will also cut them up into smaller segments, 01:08:41.560 --> 01:08:43.920 so if you're really interested in the business data, 01:08:43.920 --> 01:08:46.400 you can just watch that piece and so on and so forth, 01:08:46.400 --> 01:08:49.240 so being able to actually be able to get into that, 01:08:49.240 --> 01:08:52.080 as well as releasing the sort of documentation 01:08:52.080 --> 01:08:53.920 and all of those kind of components. 01:08:54.880 --> 01:08:56.320 For this phase of engagement, 01:08:56.320 --> 01:08:58.640 we will also be doing additional online engagement, 01:08:58.640 --> 01:09:00.800 so these same sort of questions that we've been asking 01:09:00.800 --> 01:09:04.320 we'll continue to get feedback on on our online portal. 01:09:04.320 --> 01:09:06.520 We'll probably open that up in about a week 01:09:06.520 --> 01:09:08.920 and then have that open for probably around a month 01:09:08.920 --> 01:09:11.680 as we're continuing to get feedback. 01:09:11.680 --> 01:09:14.240 And then importantly, as you brought up, George, 01:09:14.240 --> 01:09:17.720 we will be looking at focus groups 01:09:17.720 --> 01:09:19.840 on some of these key topics where we know 01:09:19.840 --> 01:09:23.480 that we need to dive deeper in order to get the information 01:09:23.480 --> 01:09:26.920 and put strategies together in a way that really impacts 01:09:26.920 --> 01:09:30.640 and affects the changes that help us move towards 01:09:30.640 --> 01:09:32.240 this larger vision. 01:09:32.240 --> 01:09:34.880 Through all of that, we were going to begin working really 01:09:34.880 --> 01:09:37.160 on the development of what are the actions, 01:09:37.160 --> 01:09:38.560 so the what are we actually gonna do, 01:09:38.560 --> 01:09:40.640 which I know all of you are itching to find out 01:09:40.640 --> 01:09:42.800 and think about and contribute to. 01:09:42.800 --> 01:09:45.200 So the next time that we come back with you all in public, 01:09:45.200 --> 01:09:47.440 those will be the conversations that we'll be having, 01:09:47.440 --> 01:09:48.840 where we'll have some of these ideas 01:09:48.840 --> 01:09:52.040 that we can continue to drill down on and think about, 01:09:52.040 --> 01:09:54.280 again, what do we need to do for a second, third, 01:09:54.280 --> 01:09:57.160 how are we leveraging all of our different tools 01:09:57.160 --> 01:09:58.880 and opportunities and strategies 01:09:58.880 --> 01:10:02.000 towards those types of outcomes. 01:10:02.000 --> 01:10:03.960 So those will be some of our next steps. 01:10:03.960 --> 01:10:07.320 Sir. 01:10:07.320 --> 01:10:08.520 - And this is for the city manager. 01:10:08.520 --> 01:10:11.280 If I can get a feel for what the engagement is, 01:10:11.280 --> 01:10:14.560 how far this engagement will take us, right? 01:10:14.560 --> 01:10:17.360 'Cause if there's a supplement, kind of a next step 01:10:17.360 --> 01:10:20.120 that we're not contracted for, 01:10:20.120 --> 01:10:22.200 I wanna have that conversation maybe earlier, 01:10:22.200 --> 01:10:24.960 sooner than later, so that there's not a break. 01:10:24.960 --> 01:10:26.000 I don't know that there will be, 01:10:26.000 --> 01:10:27.400 but just wanna get a feel for that. 01:10:27.400 --> 01:10:29.120 And then my challenge for you though, 01:10:29.120 --> 01:10:32.800 is to make sure we're continuing. 01:10:32.800 --> 01:10:36.640 If I'm tracking with you right, if early on the onset, 01:10:36.640 --> 01:10:39.920 then maybe you can put it up there for everyone. 01:10:39.920 --> 01:10:41.520 So the map that we're talking about, 01:10:41.520 --> 01:10:44.000 the area that we're talking about, right? 01:10:44.000 --> 01:10:47.760 I would just challenge you to continue to push, 01:10:47.760 --> 01:10:51.680 to have that be top of mind, right? 01:10:51.680 --> 01:10:54.280 Because you're talking about a catalyst project 01:10:54.280 --> 01:10:56.160 for that entire area, 01:10:56.160 --> 01:11:00.680 and resist the battle of the square proper, right? 01:11:00.680 --> 01:11:03.080 So whenever we're talking about square proper, 01:11:03.080 --> 01:11:05.040 it's gonna be incumbent upon you to push back to say, 01:11:05.040 --> 01:11:08.400 no, we need a catalyst project that's beyond these four walls. 01:11:08.400 --> 01:11:09.240 - And I will clarify, 01:11:09.240 --> 01:11:10.960 it will be multiple catalyst projects. 01:11:10.960 --> 01:11:13.800 - Yeah, I agree, but still I just think 01:11:13.800 --> 01:11:18.680 there's this closing in between locus and L, 01:11:18.680 --> 01:11:22.000 versus the map that you've identified, 01:11:22.000 --> 01:11:24.840 and the need to push back regularly, 01:11:24.840 --> 01:11:29.080 so that we all are thinking of scope, size, 01:11:29.080 --> 01:11:30.520 those sort of things properly. 01:11:30.520 --> 01:11:33.600 - I will say, one of the best practices that we've seen, 01:11:33.600 --> 01:11:35.600 as I said, I was the project manager 01:11:35.600 --> 01:11:37.640 on Houston's downtown plan. 01:11:37.640 --> 01:11:40.080 And when we were going through the process 01:11:40.080 --> 01:11:42.200 of the award for that project, 01:11:42.200 --> 01:11:43.880 one of the things that they prompted us with 01:11:43.880 --> 01:11:48.880 is that they wanted us to read the downtown plans 01:11:48.880 --> 01:11:53.200 of all of the 50 biggest cities in the country, 01:11:53.200 --> 01:11:54.240 and give them a response about 01:11:54.240 --> 01:11:55.720 what were some of the best practices, 01:11:55.720 --> 01:11:57.680 ideas that we got out of that. 01:11:57.680 --> 01:12:00.400 And I think one of the things that we saw very clearly 01:12:00.400 --> 01:12:03.480 as a best practice that a lot of downtowns are pursuing 01:12:03.480 --> 01:12:06.200 is that a lot of downtowns in the early 2000s, 01:12:06.200 --> 01:12:08.480 they had a downtown plan 01:12:08.480 --> 01:12:10.400 that was about really strengthening the core, 01:12:10.400 --> 01:12:12.160 that they really needed to come back, 01:12:12.160 --> 01:12:14.160 and really make sure that the square, 01:12:14.160 --> 01:12:16.960 their equivalent of the square was doing well. 01:12:16.960 --> 01:12:19.840 The newer plans have been all about the edges, 01:12:19.840 --> 01:12:22.280 and making sure that there's a great relationship 01:12:22.280 --> 01:12:24.960 between downtown and its adjacent communities 01:12:24.960 --> 01:12:27.200 that makes sure that downtown 01:12:27.200 --> 01:12:29.240 is really an integral part of the city, 01:12:29.240 --> 01:12:31.640 not a sort of island in the middle of it. 01:12:31.640 --> 01:12:32.680 And I think that's something 01:12:32.680 --> 01:12:34.160 that we really take to heart as well. 01:12:34.160 --> 01:12:37.120 And we've heard a lot of feedback about the ways, 01:12:37.120 --> 01:12:38.960 even that some of the major streets 01:12:38.960 --> 01:12:41.840 that form our boundaries, Bell, University, Carroll, 01:12:41.840 --> 01:12:43.920 have been barriers between people 01:12:43.920 --> 01:12:46.640 really using downtown as well. 01:12:46.640 --> 01:12:49.680 And so I think there will absolutely be a focus 01:12:49.680 --> 01:12:51.920 on multiple areas in and around, 01:12:51.920 --> 01:12:54.280 a real desire to continue to expand 01:12:54.280 --> 01:12:55.440 on what's been good about the square, 01:12:55.440 --> 01:12:57.360 but make it go further, 01:12:57.360 --> 01:13:00.080 and to think about the way that those edges 01:13:00.080 --> 01:13:03.880 can be more inviting and create more opportunities 01:13:03.880 --> 01:13:06.160 for the detonites who live around downtown 01:13:06.160 --> 01:13:09.480 to be a part of what's going on in downtown as well. 01:13:09.480 --> 01:13:10.760 Thank you. 01:13:10.760 --> 01:13:13.240 - So anything else from your end before we... 01:13:13.240 --> 01:13:15.440 Okay, anything else from our end? 01:13:15.440 --> 01:13:16.280 Okay. 01:13:16.280 --> 01:13:18.880 - When scheduling the focus groups, 01:13:18.880 --> 01:13:22.640 would you please consider a variety of time options 01:13:22.640 --> 01:13:25.320 for people who really have to be involved 01:13:25.320 --> 01:13:27.320 and not take up work to attend? 01:13:27.320 --> 01:13:28.720 - Yes, absolutely. 01:13:28.720 --> 01:13:32.560 Council Member Byrd? 01:13:32.560 --> 01:13:37.560 - Also, I'm just looking at that map that you have there. 01:13:37.560 --> 01:13:41.600 I do understand that we are considering 01:13:41.600 --> 01:13:43.720 moving downtown eastward 01:13:43.720 --> 01:13:49.840 and capturing some areas where our new, 01:13:49.840 --> 01:13:53.440 I mean, where our updated police department is 01:13:53.440 --> 01:13:58.440 over on Anchorage Street and Industrial 01:13:58.440 --> 01:14:02.320 and Sycamore, pulling all of that in 01:14:02.320 --> 01:14:06.760 to the downtown area. 01:14:06.760 --> 01:14:11.480 I'm not sure where we need to be going with that or not. 01:14:11.480 --> 01:14:14.160 - We're just evaluating all of the area plans 01:14:14.160 --> 01:14:16.640 and how they work together. 01:14:16.640 --> 01:14:19.080 So it isn't necessarily that that's gonna be part 01:14:19.080 --> 01:14:21.240 of downtown or it's part of southeast 01:14:21.240 --> 01:14:23.200 or what's to the north, 01:14:23.200 --> 01:14:24.160 but we're gonna evaluate, 01:14:24.160 --> 01:14:25.840 and that's where you were speaking to the fringes, 01:14:25.840 --> 01:14:27.840 what's on the fringes of downtown. 01:14:27.840 --> 01:14:30.960 What we've taken is the previous documents 01:14:30.960 --> 01:14:33.160 that we've had that have been different plans 01:14:33.160 --> 01:14:34.960 for the downtown area, 01:14:34.960 --> 01:14:37.960 and then trying to just get the general area, 01:14:37.960 --> 01:14:39.400 and then where should that be? 01:14:39.400 --> 01:14:41.520 So that's all that feedback. 01:14:41.520 --> 01:14:44.000 They met yesterday with the consultants 01:14:44.000 --> 01:14:45.720 from the southeast plan, 01:14:45.720 --> 01:14:49.840 and then really looking at how those two are connected 01:14:49.840 --> 01:14:52.680 and what would work best. 01:14:52.680 --> 01:14:54.960 So nothing's been determined. 01:14:54.960 --> 01:14:58.000 - Okay, well, just put this out here on the table 01:14:58.000 --> 01:14:59.360 and lay it down there. 01:15:00.440 --> 01:15:02.440 That I know that those community members 01:15:02.440 --> 01:15:04.800 over in that area are very concerned. 01:15:04.800 --> 01:15:08.920 When you're speaking to the director of the funeral home, 01:15:08.920 --> 01:15:11.720 'cause he knows everybody and everything, 01:15:11.720 --> 01:15:15.000 that his perception is that parts of their community 01:15:15.000 --> 01:15:17.760 is gonna be pulled into downtown. 01:15:17.760 --> 01:15:19.040 That is very worrisome, 01:15:19.040 --> 01:15:21.040 so you all please keep that in mind. 01:15:21.040 --> 01:15:22.720 - Absolutely, thank you. 01:15:22.720 --> 01:15:24.880 And for us as staff, we look at this. 01:15:24.880 --> 01:15:26.320 This is Denton. 01:15:26.320 --> 01:15:29.080 So we're just managing really all of the interests 01:15:29.080 --> 01:15:31.320 and the interest of what different groups there may be 01:15:31.320 --> 01:15:32.520 and what makes the most sense. 01:15:32.520 --> 01:15:36.040 So we absolutely aren't saying this is downtown. 01:15:36.040 --> 01:15:39.480 This is southeast, this is northeast. 01:15:39.480 --> 01:15:41.560 It is just, we've got several area plans. 01:15:41.560 --> 01:15:45.040 How does this fit Denton and what's best for the long haul? 01:15:45.040 --> 01:15:46.240 - That's my job. 01:15:46.240 --> 01:15:47.560 - Yes, ma'am. 01:15:47.560 --> 01:15:48.400 Yes, ma'am. 01:15:48.400 --> 01:15:49.760 Thank you. 01:15:49.760 --> 01:15:51.040 Thank you. 01:15:51.040 --> 01:15:51.880 Ma'am. 01:15:51.880 --> 01:15:52.720 - Quick question. 01:15:52.720 --> 01:15:53.560 Just congrats. 01:15:53.560 --> 01:15:56.160 I know how hard it is to do public engagement, 01:15:56.160 --> 01:16:00.520 but I did have my thoughts on our action items for later. 01:16:00.520 --> 01:16:03.200 But as we finished the last bit of engagement, 01:16:03.200 --> 01:16:04.400 a couple of questions I had is, 01:16:04.400 --> 01:16:07.160 I saw you guys at Parking Day and I agree with sentiments, 01:16:07.160 --> 01:16:10.880 but instead of just the total bulk quantity 01:16:10.880 --> 01:16:12.280 of comments we got, 01:16:12.280 --> 01:16:15.360 I'm assuming we don't have any demographic info from people. 01:16:15.360 --> 01:16:16.200 - That's true. 01:16:16.200 --> 01:16:18.160 - Do we have any indication of how these comments 01:16:18.160 --> 01:16:20.120 were dispersed between the events? 01:16:20.120 --> 01:16:21.480 - Between the different events, we absolutely do. 01:16:21.480 --> 01:16:22.320 Yes. 01:16:22.320 --> 01:16:23.440 - It's a very specific group. 01:16:23.440 --> 01:16:25.240 - It's a very different, yes. 01:16:25.240 --> 01:16:26.680 - Yep, absolutely. 01:16:26.680 --> 01:16:29.400 - And then with that, kind of a follow-up is, 01:16:29.400 --> 01:16:32.600 did we offer any, even if you're at an event, 01:16:32.600 --> 01:16:34.000 you have leisure time, you're there, 01:16:34.000 --> 01:16:35.040 you already care about the square, 01:16:35.040 --> 01:16:36.440 you want to be at an event. 01:16:36.440 --> 01:16:39.200 Do we, to engage, to disengage, as you mentioned, 01:16:39.200 --> 01:16:43.720 did we offer any incentives to people to give feedback? 01:16:43.720 --> 01:16:47.360 - Not per se, no. 01:16:47.360 --> 01:16:49.000 - I don't know if that's something we could consider, 01:16:49.000 --> 01:16:51.760 but when you're-- 01:16:51.760 --> 01:16:54.120 - I guess I will say it may be a possibility 01:16:54.120 --> 01:16:56.240 in some of the focus groups, especially, 01:16:56.240 --> 01:16:59.360 depending on what those topics end up being. 01:16:59.360 --> 01:17:02.000 - I don't know, I think that's something to consider. 01:17:02.000 --> 01:17:02.840 - We-- 01:17:02.840 --> 01:17:04.200 - If you're away from person-- 01:17:04.200 --> 01:17:08.200 - To the extent possible, we did also try to choose 01:17:08.200 --> 01:17:10.080 different events that, as you said, 01:17:10.080 --> 01:17:11.840 Parking Day is one that those folks 01:17:11.840 --> 01:17:13.000 around the square all the time, 01:17:13.000 --> 01:17:15.040 they're within a certain demographic, 01:17:15.040 --> 01:17:17.840 and they have a certain perspective. 01:17:17.840 --> 01:17:20.880 We also tried to go to some events 01:17:20.880 --> 01:17:23.440 that people who don't usually come downtown would be at, 01:17:23.440 --> 01:17:25.920 so that we would have an opportunity to talk with them, 01:17:25.920 --> 01:17:28.440 and I think we're gonna continue looking for opportunities 01:17:28.440 --> 01:17:31.560 to continue to find different types of events 01:17:31.560 --> 01:17:33.440 where different types of folks will be gathering, 01:17:33.440 --> 01:17:35.240 both downtown and probably also spreading out 01:17:35.240 --> 01:17:36.600 a little bit outside of downtown, 01:17:36.600 --> 01:17:40.080 in order to make sure that we're continuing to get feedback 01:17:40.080 --> 01:17:41.760 from a variety of different people 01:17:41.760 --> 01:17:43.400 about a variety of different needs. 01:17:43.400 --> 01:17:45.680 - And the last part on the feedback that I had is, 01:17:45.680 --> 01:17:46.760 I think it's totally understandable 01:17:46.760 --> 01:17:48.080 that people have safety concerns, 01:17:48.080 --> 01:17:50.120 and I think I have seen those comments as well, 01:17:50.120 --> 01:17:53.280 but with thinking of echoing George's point 01:17:53.280 --> 01:17:55.240 with our homeless members, 01:17:55.240 --> 01:17:57.560 if they're sharing downtown, they're in our community, 01:17:57.560 --> 01:18:01.560 did we get their feedback in any kind of counter, 01:18:01.560 --> 01:18:03.200 maybe to get both sides of the perspective? 01:18:03.200 --> 01:18:05.960 Did we have any feedback from also folks? 01:18:05.960 --> 01:18:09.080 - You know, we did definitely have some conversations 01:18:09.080 --> 01:18:11.600 with folks during some of those events, 01:18:11.600 --> 01:18:13.040 and then we've had conversations 01:18:13.040 --> 01:18:14.240 with some of the service providers, 01:18:14.240 --> 01:18:16.720 which I know don't necessarily represent 01:18:16.720 --> 01:18:18.000 everybody within that. 01:18:18.000 --> 01:18:21.440 So we've tried to get a variety of perspectives 01:18:21.440 --> 01:18:24.440 from folks that are working with unhoused individuals, 01:18:24.440 --> 01:18:27.480 as well as folks that were willing to talk to us 01:18:27.480 --> 01:18:29.680 during some of those events as well. 01:18:29.680 --> 01:18:31.440 I will also just, for your interest, 01:18:31.440 --> 01:18:33.600 we will be releasing all of the raw data, 01:18:33.600 --> 01:18:36.280 and it will be broken down by the different events 01:18:36.280 --> 01:18:37.760 and all of those sort of, 01:18:37.760 --> 01:18:39.800 so there's a lot of different ways that you can sort that 01:18:39.800 --> 01:18:42.120 and look at all of the different data that we got 01:18:42.120 --> 01:18:43.480 in those different methods. 01:18:43.480 --> 01:18:46.600 Mr. Mayor, I'm looking to you. 01:18:46.600 --> 01:18:49.040 - Yeah, if our hearts and minds are clear. 01:18:49.040 --> 01:18:49.880 - Let me just say a comment. 01:18:49.880 --> 01:18:51.720 - Okay, by all means. 01:18:51.720 --> 01:18:52.560 - Scott, can I have one? 01:18:52.560 --> 01:18:53.400 - Sorry. 01:18:53.400 --> 01:18:54.240 - I know, that's okay. 01:18:54.240 --> 01:18:56.040 - Is there anybody else in queue so that we know? 01:18:56.040 --> 01:18:56.880 - Thank you. 01:18:56.880 --> 01:19:02.480 - I just wanted to compliment you all actually, 01:19:02.480 --> 01:19:04.440 and Sean and Cameron, 01:19:04.440 --> 01:19:07.640 'cause I personally think you all have done an excellent job 01:19:07.640 --> 01:19:12.640 of engaging with various parts of the community 01:19:12.640 --> 01:19:14.520 at all kinds of events. 01:19:14.520 --> 01:19:18.360 Sean and Cameron have been extremely enthusiastic out there 01:19:18.360 --> 01:19:20.440 in trying to get people's opinions. 01:19:20.440 --> 01:19:24.840 And I think you can tell just from even this meeting, 01:19:24.840 --> 01:19:29.840 seeing the priorities that you've listed are a good list. 01:19:29.840 --> 01:19:33.080 This is a very diverse group here. 01:19:33.080 --> 01:19:36.120 There's a lot of us who are downtown all the time. 01:19:36.120 --> 01:19:37.640 There are people who don't go downtown 01:19:37.640 --> 01:19:39.560 or know anything about it at all. 01:19:39.560 --> 01:19:44.560 And yet we are still in a consensus with these priorities, 01:19:44.560 --> 01:19:47.600 maybe not in ordering them. 01:19:47.600 --> 01:19:49.600 And maybe that's not even where we should focus 01:19:49.600 --> 01:19:51.400 on ordering them per se, 01:19:51.400 --> 01:19:54.920 because as Eric presented so eloquently 01:19:54.920 --> 01:19:58.040 and Councilman Holland brought it up too, 01:19:58.040 --> 01:19:59.240 these things work together. 01:19:59.240 --> 01:20:02.160 So you fix certain things, the other things will come. 01:20:02.160 --> 01:20:06.120 And so all of this is a collective group of things. 01:20:06.120 --> 01:20:09.320 They're all priorities and you've done a great job 01:20:09.320 --> 01:20:12.360 of coming up with the priorities. 01:20:12.360 --> 01:20:14.680 Now the thing is the action. 01:20:14.680 --> 01:20:18.160 How do we make this plan happen? 01:20:18.160 --> 01:20:19.680 How do we get the housing done? 01:20:19.680 --> 01:20:21.680 How do we bring in more people? 01:20:21.680 --> 01:20:23.000 How do we fix the streets? 01:20:23.000 --> 01:20:24.840 All of that is part of the whole action plan 01:20:24.840 --> 01:20:25.800 which comes next. 01:20:25.800 --> 01:20:27.920 But I think this first round of data, 01:20:27.920 --> 01:20:31.520 I think you've done an excellent, excellent job. 01:20:31.520 --> 01:20:32.840 - Thank you, we really appreciate that. 01:20:32.840 --> 01:20:35.200 We especially appreciate, again, Sean and Cameron, 01:20:35.200 --> 01:20:38.120 you guys have a great team working with us here. 01:20:38.120 --> 01:20:40.720 (audience applauding) 01:20:40.720 --> 01:20:45.200 I will say that, yes, there's a storytelling aspect 01:20:45.200 --> 01:20:47.720 to what we do and being able to pull these things together 01:20:47.720 --> 01:20:49.960 and put them in a way that starts to make sense. 01:20:49.960 --> 01:20:53.880 But this is about the wisdom of the community 01:20:53.880 --> 01:20:56.200 to be able to bring these things forward. 01:20:56.200 --> 01:20:58.840 And again, in a way that we've seen much more consensus 01:20:58.840 --> 01:21:01.120 than we've seen areas that were divided on it. 01:21:01.120 --> 01:21:04.600 And I think that's extremely, extremely exciting. 01:21:04.600 --> 01:21:07.560 - Okay, another opportunity for community engagement 01:21:07.560 --> 01:21:10.880 coming up January 24th to 28th, that is, 01:21:10.880 --> 01:21:12.200 the Denton Black Film Festival. 01:21:12.200 --> 01:21:13.760 - Yes. - Would love to have you out. 01:21:13.760 --> 01:21:15.240 - We just had a conversation about that 01:21:15.240 --> 01:21:17.040 and I think we would love to do that. 01:21:17.040 --> 01:21:20.360 Thank you. 01:21:20.360 --> 01:21:22.440 - Great, well, anyone else? 01:21:22.440 --> 01:21:24.320 Great, well, I'll echo those sentiments. 01:21:24.320 --> 01:21:26.360 Thank you very much, appreciate your presentation today. 01:21:26.360 --> 01:21:30.160 A lot of information covered quickly, succinctly. 01:21:30.160 --> 01:21:33.360 Great feedback, so look forward to next steps, 01:21:33.360 --> 01:21:34.360 that sort of thing. 01:21:38.000 --> 01:21:40.120 - Oh, sorry, oh, okay. 01:21:40.120 --> 01:21:45.120 So with that, I'll let the other boards close 01:21:45.120 --> 01:21:48.320 and then I'll close, so, yeah. 01:21:48.320 --> 01:21:52.760 - Sure, it's interesting. 01:21:52.760 --> 01:21:54.560 So it's 12/24 and with that, 01:21:54.560 --> 01:21:57.760 I will end the parks portion of this meeting. 01:21:57.760 --> 01:22:01.560 - And I will adjourn the GNC at this joint meeting 01:22:01.560 --> 01:22:02.880 at 12/24 p.m. 01:22:02.880 --> 01:22:04.720 - Okay, and at that same time, 01:22:04.720 --> 01:22:08.240 we'll conclude the council's portion of the meeting 01:22:08.240 --> 01:22:11.480 and we will reconvene at three o'clock at city hall. 01:22:11.480 --> 01:22:12.720 Thanks. - I appreciate it.