Plans are moving forward to complete the recently approved Downtown Action Plan.
The first meeting was held Oct. 12 with the Heritage and Downtown Revitalization Committee. Since council’s approval of the project last month several steps have been put into motion. Tim Schmidt, director of planning and development for the Town of Ponoka provided a brief update from the last meeting.
Work completed or underway
Field surveys to catalogue existing uses, buildings, parking supply, inventory of street improvements, general character, etc.
Base mapping for existing situation
Photo catalogue for background
Collection of background information from town staff
Work expected in coming weeks to December:
Formal start up meeting with town staff
Review of background information from Town and other sources
Interviews with selected stakeholders
Mapping of key themes from field survey
Analysis of trends in development in the plan area
Writing of background report
The goal is to fit in a one-day survey of usage of the three town-owned parking lots into the background work/budget. This may happen closer to the holiday period.
“Through consultation with the downtown committee we had a chance to identify some busy periods for parking during the holidays, and on a weekly basis, which we will focus on for collection of parking data,” said Schmidt in an email.