Planning, Economic Development and Environment Committee (Virtual) (Jul 15, 2025)

Planning, Economic Development & Environment Meeting Recap – July 15, 2025 (Part 2)

On July 15th, the Planning, Economic Development, and Environment (PEDE) committee held a meeting to discuss strategies for rebuilding and revitalizing our city, particularly following recent storm impacts. This recap summarizes the key discussions, decisions, and next steps for residents.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to exploring partnerships with the Urban Land Institute (ULI) to develop a comprehensive economic recovery plan. The ULI will bring national experts to advise on industry resilience, revitalization of underserved areas, flood hazard land use policies, and innovative riverfront park development. Residents are invited to engage in this process through a public meet-and-greet on July 28th (5-7:30 PM at Harris Cherokee Center) and a public presentation on August 1st (9:30 AM).

The committee also engaged in a lively discussion about revitalizing our downtown area. Ideas explored included the possibility of creating "social districts" – designated areas where residents can enjoy alcoholic beverages outside of restaurants – and expanding popular events like "Miracle on Wall Street" and the July 4th Block Party through expanded “open streets” initiatives. To encourage downtown visits, staff will investigate a parking voucher program. While no formal votes were taken on these proposals, council members expressed strong support for exploring both social districts and expanded open street events. Staff was directed to prepare a cost analysis for social districts and investigate funding options for the open street events.

Another key topic was a review of our city’s micromobility policy, which currently bans scooters. Proposed changes aim to legitimize bikes and scooters as transportation options, decriminalize their use, and ensure accessibility and affordability. The council will vote on these ordinance changes next month – a significant step towards modernizing our transportation infrastructure.

During the meeting, Rachel Cullen from Sunrise Movement addressed the council, urging them to prioritize climate change mitigation and sustainability in all economic recovery efforts. She specifically called for workforce development focused on green jobs, integrating climate considerations into the ULI’s recommendations, and utilizing Disaster Relief (DR) funds for sustainability initiatives. This highlighted a growing concern among residents about ensuring our recovery efforts are environmentally responsible and forward-thinking.

What's Next?

Several key action items emerged from the meeting:

• Get Involved: Attend the ULI public meet-and-greet (July 28th) and presentation (August 1st) to share your input on the economic recovery plan.
• Staff Research: City staff will analyze the costs and feasibility of social districts, as well as explore funding options for open street events.
• Council Vote: The council will vote on the proposed micromobility ordinance changes next month.
• Data Collection: Efforts will be made to track workforce development and economic opportunities through a "jobs pipeline," working with partner agencies.
• Advisory Board Input: The council will explore ways to incorporate recommendations from advisory boards into their planning process.
• Disaster Relief Funds: Staff will begin developing economic revitalization strategies utilizing Disaster Relief (DR) funds.

This meeting demonstrated a clear commitment to rebuilding our city and creating a vibrant, resilient future. By engaging in these upcoming public forums and staying informed about the council's decisions, residents can play a vital role in shaping our community’s recovery and future prosperity.