HomeMy WebLinkAboutRexburgDowntownVision10Sep2018
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Rexburg's Downtown Vision (Draft)
Our Vision: Prospering in America's Family Community.
The overall purpose of the downtown plan is to create Aa livable and prosperous
downtown through the reconstruction of . Aa dynamic Central Business District
that anticipates the changing needs of the community well into the future. The
plan will reflect Aa downtown that respects and celebrates our the unique culture
and heritage of Rexburg.
In recent years, tThe City of Rexburg’s Comprehensive plan identified three needshe City of
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Rexburg created a series of opportunities to gain input from its citizens. Public workshops were
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held and a survey was conducted. The purpose of the input was primarily for the creation and
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development of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The input from the public, County staff and
officials, were used to develop a vision and a set of goals and objectives to achieve that vision.
Community needs were identified including three that support the overall purpose of the
downtown plan: 1) For A need for ddowntown Rexburg to be an inviting place to shop, visit,
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and spend time, 2) AA need to place for a variety of multi-use recreational activities for all
residents and 3) A need to create a climate that facilitates attraction of businesses.
In addition, Envision Madison, was an effort to bring the community together to explore ideas
and strategies to bring the community together andthat shape future growth. Stakeholders
from Rexburg, Sugar City, BYU-Idaho liaisons and the community participated in this effort.
Values, Issues, and Attitudes were compiled and a list of guiding principles was created. The
five (5) guiding principles include the following:
1.Rexburg citizens want a caring and safe community with strong, shared values, creating
a close-knit community. Residents and their families should feel safe and comfortable in
their community.
2.Rexburg needs to strengthen their current job base and explore opportunities in other
job sectors by leveraging Madison County’s connection to BYU-Idaho as a strong,
economic driver.
3.Rexburg needs to enhance the downtown through investment, by encouraging
businesses to locate there, and by locating student housing near the area.
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4.Rexburg needs to enhance recreational opportunities by coordinating and advertising
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those opportunities during the cold winter months by building an indoor athletic
complex.
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5.Rexburg needs to maintain and strengthen the relationship between the University and
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community by working together, communicating regularly, and providing students with
opportunities within the community.
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Using these Guiding Principles from Envision Madison, key principles were identified for
prosperityCommunity Values were identified in the City of Rexburg.
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PrincipleCommunitys of Prosperity Values
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Caring and Safe Community
Family Focused
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Friendly and Supportive
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Small Town Values
Security and Belonging
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Economic Security
Growth and Innovation
Economic peace of mind
Business growth requires a creative
workforce
Quality employees seek a strong
Principles of Prosperity
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community
Future generations seek economic
Caring
Health and Recreation
opportunities
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and
Physical and Mental Well-being
Safe Community
Family and Friends Social Opportunity
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Access to Recreation
Family Focused
Friendly and Supportive
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Small Town Values.
Security and Belonging
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Health and Recreation
Physical and Mental Well-being
Family and Friends
Access to Recreation
Economic Security
Growth and Innovation
Economic peace of mind
Business growth requires a creative workforce
Quality Employees seek a strong community
Future generations seek economic opportunities
Themes
The Traditional Center of the Community
Centrally Located
Synergistic Anchors
Higher Densities
Self-supporting Mix of Uses
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A Regional Economic Hub
Jobs, Innovation
Increased densities
Self-supporting mix of uses
Draw - Desire
Unique shopping and eating opportunities
o
Downtown Living
Downtown living adds activity
Housing choices
A Unique Culture, a Dynamic Place
Quality public spaces
Gathering
Activating the Streets
Arts
Connections
Walkability
Mobility
Access
Parking
Access to Recreation
A Strategic Approach
Principles of Prosperity
Community Values
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A Caring and Safe Community
People in Rexburg enjoy the benefits of living in a caring and safe community; . Oone that promotes strong values
and results in a family-friendly place where people look out for one another. Rexburg's citizens want to preserve
this small- town atmosphere. They want to strengthen the feeling of security and belonging found in a quality
community environment.
Health and Recreation
Physical and Mmental Wwell-being are part of the "quality of life" that Rexburg's citizens have come to expect.
Recreational opportunities play an important part of that "quality of life"; "Being active is being healthy."
Recreational activities become a community effort when it they includes the support of family and friends. Access
to recreational opportunities is an important piece of a prosperous community.
Economic Security
Rexburg's relatively remote location, small population, and recent growth has have created the need to
substantially advance economic opportunities in our community. "The lack of jobs and the high cost of living force
some residents (or their children) to live a lower quality of life and robs them of a sense of peace of mind and
security" (Eenvision Madison values). The Citizens of Rexburg have expressed a desire to overcome these
economic challenges, increase the number of high quality jobs, and promote innovative business growth.
Business development today requires a considerably different approach then in it did even 10 ten years ago.
Businesses are attracted to places with access to a talented workforce. That creative workforce is seeking the
higher quality of life found in strong communities. They are seeking the convenience, culture, and amenities of
traditional downtown development.
Our community wants businesses
Those businesses need Talented People
Today's talented people seek Place (quality of life)
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Downtown Access to Recreation Parking Arts Activating the Streets
Therefore Our Community wants Place
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Our
Community
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wants
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Businesses
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Therefore, Those
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Our Businesses
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Community need
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wants
Talented
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PlacePeople
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Today's
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Talented People
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seek
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Place
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(Quality of Life)
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(CREATE A GRAPHIC)
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The Traditional Center of
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the Community
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Centrally Located
Synergistic Anchors
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Higher Densities
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Self-supporting Mix of
Uses
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A Strategic
A Regional Economic Hub
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ApproachT Downtown Living
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Jobs, Innovation
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Increased densities
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hemes for
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Downtown living adds
Self-supporting mix of
activity
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Housing choices
Draw - Desire
Unique shopping and
o
eating opportunities
A Unique Culture, A
Connections
Dynamic Place
Walkability
Quality public spaces
Mobility
Gathering
Access
Themes
THEMES
The Traditional Center of the Community
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Rexburg traditionally put the focus of building economic opportunity into the central business district. Our
downtown is centrally located and accessible to both resident and visitors. The street patterns and infrastructure
are designed to support higher densities. Proximity to the University, Government, and Medical establishments
create synergy, and in recent years residential building projects have increased activity at the street level and
created opportunities for retail and service establishments.
If Rexburg is to achieve its' goal of making downtown a regional hub for economic prosperity, then downtown
needs to become the most dense, dynamic, and active area of the community.
A Regional Economic Hub
If Rexburg is to achieve its' goal of making downtown a regional hub for economic prosperity, then downtown
needs to become the most dense, dynamic, and active area of the community.
Rexburg has the opportunity to build upon its past and its current strengths and create a bright future. Using a
strategic approach to downtown will ensure that downtown is relevant for today's and future economic realities.
With downtown as the epicenter for the regional economy, we can set the foundation for economic prosperity
that will provide the jobs and business opportunities the community and region are seeking.
Diversifying the economic activities in the downtown will give people many reasons to come downtown. An 18
hour place is focused on jobs, housing, and retail. Jobs are the economic engine of most downtowns. Workers will
provide majority of customers for business downtown.
Downtown Living
The downtown should be one of the most active areas of the community. The coming and going of people will add
to the perceived safety of downtown. Adding living units in the downtown will increase activity beyond the typical
8 to 5 business hours. Downtown housing also creates a built- in market for commercial or employment activities.
The proximity of downtown to the University Campus creates an opportunity to cluster higher density housing
within walking distances of major commercial and educational centers.
Living in the downtown can be a desirable option for people who seek the amenities of shopping, food, culture,
and jobs. Downtown living should be made available to people in all stages of life. The objective is to offer a broad
choice of affordable option in the downtown area.
The Traditional Center of the Community
A Unique Culture, a Dynamic Place
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Rexburg is a distinctive place.People identify with Rexburg’s downtown; it is a symbol of the community’s values
and vision.
Rexburg is a distinctive place. The character of the downtown’s built environment will reflect A successful
downtown will reflect and celebrate that unique culture. The downtown should generate a sense of pride,
belonging, and civic identity among the citizens of the community. Downtown should be a very public place,
distinct from the rest of the community but with strong ties to the surrounding neighborhoods. The design of both
public and private elements in the downtown needs to meet the public's expectation for quality.
The downtown should generate a sense of pride, belonging, and civic identity among the citizens of the
community. The downtown currently has several wonderful, old buildings that should be identified for
preservation and restoration. Our goal is not a historic district per se, but development that blends with the
historic patterns, forms, materials, and character of downtown. New development in the central core should not
detract from this historic context.
The downtown will also reflect the desire of the community to promote strong values and a small-town feel. The
scale of the built environment will reflect this desire, maximizing pedestrian-scale enclosure while creating active,
safe, and interesting surroundings. The quality of the central core will promote a strong sense of civic pride and
belonging.
In the past, arts and entertainment have been an important part of the downtown experience. Growth in this area
is an opportunity to increase the vitality of the downtown. Arts and culture will be anchors of a revitalized
downtown that reflects the distinct character of Rexburg and supports the regional hub concept.
A Regional Economic Hub
Rexburg has the opportunity to build upon its past and its current strengths and create a bright future. Using a
strategic approach to downtown will ensure that downtown is relevant for today and future economic realities.
With downtown as the epicenter for the regional economy, we can set the foundation for economic prosperity
that will provide the jobs and business opportunities the community and region are seeking.
A thriving downtown is well-tuned to the nature of the market that supports it. This is more than understanding
population counts and income levels, but also comprehending growth, competition, access, and aspirations. The
goal is to create a downtown that is greater than the sum of its parts. Energy of downtown is created by balancing
the above vision with market conditions. Adaptability to meet ever-changing market trends should be part of the
plan. A healthy city center should have a diversity of uses that function in a mutually supportive fashion. If
Rexburg is to achieve its' goal of making downtown a regional hub for economic prosperity, then downtown needs
to become the densest, dynamic, and active area of the community.
Diversifying the economic activities in the downtown will give people many reasons to come downtown. An 18-
hour place is focused on jobs, housing, and retail. Jobs are the economic engine of most downtowns. Workers will
provide the majority of customers for business downtown. -Public spaces in the downtown should add activity and
function as gathering places.
A creative and innovative environment needs the synergy of high -density, mixed-use development. well-defined
mix of uses linked by the public infrastructure and by patterns of pedestrian movement. The central area of the
city must be compact and well-designed with a density high enough to create a critical mass of activity and people.
Higher densities in the core promote economic prosperity for the entire community. Underutilized property in the
core should be filled, enabling the existing infrastructure to be utilized. Effective planning practices promote
compact development in order to take advantage of existing infrastructure and proximity of uses in a way that will
lower overall costs for the city and residents. An effective downtown strategy needs to be considered in zoning
decisions city-wide. Pedestrian activity on the street becomes an essential ingredient in creating this environment.
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Downtown Living
The residential component is important in shaping the downtown’s image as a safe, well-maintained, livable
environment. The downtown should be one of the most active areas of the community. The coming and going of
people will add to the perceived safety of downtown. Adding living units in the downtown will increase activity
beyond the typical 8 to 5 business hours. Downtown housing also creates a built-in market for commercial or
employment activities. Downtown housing also creates a built-in market for commercial or employment
activities. Living in the downtown can be a desirable option for people who seek the amenities of shopping, food,
culture, and jobs. The physical design of the public realm of downtown will facilitate interaction among families.
Downtown living should be made available to people in all stages of life maintaining a family-friendly community of
caring individuals. The objective is to offer a broad choice of affordable options in the downtown area. Uses or
activities focused on just one age group will be discouraged. The proximity of downtown to the University Campus
also creates an opportunity to cluster higher density housing within walking distances of major commercial and
educational centers. Vehicular circulation in the downtown will need to support future needs and increased
densities.
Living in the downtown can be a desirable option for people who seek the amenities of shopping, food, culture,
and jobs. Downtown living should be made available to people in all stages of life. The objective is to offer a broad
choice of affordable option in the downtown area.
People like to be around other people. The more people that are on a street; the more likely it will be perceived to
be a safe environment. A successful street is an ensemble of both public and private elements. If the buildings
surrounding the street create enclosure, and if the doors and windows of those buildings are oriented towards the
street, the activity level of people coming and going will increase. The bottom floor should have spaces that
people want to enter such as shops or eating establishments. The façade of those buildings also become an
important element in the activation of the street. Windows at the ground level create visual interest. Buildings
that differentiate and emphasize the ground floor from the rest of the building support pedestrian scale activity.
Horizontal elements such as awnings, humanize the street by creating an implied ceiling that can be extended into
the street with trees or other landscape elements.
In the past arts and entertainment has been an important part of the downtown experience. Growth in this area is
an opportunity to increase the vitality of the downtown. Arts and culture will be anchors of a revitalized downtown
that reflects the distinct character of Rexburg and supports the regional hub concept.
visionPedestrian activity on the street becomes an essential ingredient in creating this environment.
In the past, arts and entertainment have been an important part of the downtown experience. Growth in this area
is an opportunity to increase the vitality of the downtown. Arts and culture will be anchors of a revitalized
downtown that reflects the distinct character of Rexburg and supports the regional hub concept.
Public Spaces
People like to be around other people. The more people that are on a street; the more likely it will be perceived to
be a safe environment. A successful street is an ensemble of both public and private elements. If the buildings
surrounding the street create enclosure, and if the doors and windows of those buildings are oriented towards the
street, the activity level of people coming and going will increase. The bottom floor should have spaces that
people want to enter such as shops or eating establishments. The façade of those buildings also become an
important element in the activation of the street. Buildings that differentiate and emphasize the ground floor
from the rest of the building, support pedestrian scale activity. Windows at the ground level create visual interest.
Continuity along the street with interesting shop windows and entrances create visual interest and a consistent
sense of spatial enclosure. Buildings that differentiate and emphasize the ground floor from the rest of the
building support pedestrian scale activity. The use of awnings, and other building elements create a canopy
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Horizontal elements such as awnings, humanizinges the street by creating an implied ceiling that can be extended
into the street with trees orand other landscape elements. Signage should be pedestrian focused. Street design
should promote a sense of pedestrian safety by adequately separating vehicular traffic from walking areas. The
gaps at high-visibility locations in the core should be filled to create continuity of buildings.
In the past, arts and entertainment have been an important part of the downtown experience. Growth in this area
is an opportunity to increase the vitality of the downtown. Arts and culture will be anchors of a revitalized
downtown that reflects the distinct character of Rexburg and supports the regional hub concept.
Public Spaces
There is a need for a space (s) where people can gather. This should include at least one larger, community venue
and other areas that encourage social interaction. Public spaces in the downtown should add activity and function
as gathering places. The city center must have a balance of activity during the day, in the evening, and during all
seasons. The city center identity and image of the community at large is achieved by providing interesting places
for people to interact through retail, cultural, entertainment, recreation, gathering and special events. Marketing,
including community celebrations, festivals, farmers’ markets, and special shopping events will promote a vibrant
downtown. Pedestrian activity on the street becomes an essential ingredient in creating this environment.
Connections
Walkable, people- friendly streets are created through good street design. Streets in the downtown should
accommodate all forms of movement including cars, buses, bikes, and pedestrians. Reducing lane widths in the
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downtown will calm traffic. People spaces should be separated from vehicle lanes and parking spaces. Reducing
lane widths in the downtown will calm traffic. Pedestrian crossings should be shortened and clearly marked.
Sidewalks should be wide enough to accommodate crowds of people. They must be well lit and maintained in the
winter in order to be free of snow and ice. They can't become snow storage areas for the streets and parking lots.
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When it comes to the development of a "Community Center," Rexburg has an advantage over many of the
neighboring communities. Main Street, the Hospital, City and County Offices, and the University are all within
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walking distances. Developing clear and effective pedestrian connections to these institutions and their
surrounding neighborhoods must be viewed as a priority in redevelopment efforts. Narrow and poorly maintained
sidewalks, inconsistent lighting, gaps in development, and dangerous street crossings keep people in their cars and
off the sidewalks. This in turn hinders the desired investment and reinvestment that will accompany increased
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street activity.
Designing an inviting family-friendly streetscape will enable safe access for all members of the family, including
motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Walkable human scale design calls for an interactive building interface along
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the street edge. When open surface parking is adjacent to the streets it creates breaks in the desired building
edge. Effective downtown streets create enclosure with buildings that interact with the street and the sidewalks.
In recent years growing economic activity has increased the number of employees looking for parking in the
downtown. The nature of employee parking is different than that of past retail users. Employees need less
turnover and longer parking times. If employee parking isn't available a competition with retail customers is
created. If the City is successful in its bid to intensify densities in the downtown this conflict will expand.
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Downtown property continues to increase in value. Surface parking is a costly underutilization of downtown
property. Of the 202 acres in the downtown, 60 acres are taken up by public right-of-ways, leaving 142 acers for
buildings, parking, and landscaping. Of that, 54 acres or 38% of the developable land is currently being used as
parking. Much of it is tax exempt or has a low taxable value. Incorporating parking multi-level structures would
open the door to redevelopment on existing public and private parcels. Redevelopment of parking lots will
increase taxable revenue in the downtown. It will fill the breaks of the downtown fabric and create a more viable
mix of uses at higher densities.
Walkable, people-friendly streets are created through good street design. Streets in the downtown should
accommodate all forms of movement including cars, buses, bikes, and pedestrians. Reducing lane widths in the
downtown will calm traffic. People spaces should be separated from vehicle lanes and parking spaces. Pedestrian
crossings should be shortened and clearly marked. Pedestrian amenities such as sufficiently wide walkways and
adequate lighting should serve as linkages rather than barriers between a wide variety of uses. Sidewalks should
be wide enough to accommodate crowds of people. They must be well lit and maintained in the winter in order to
be free of snow and ice; they can't become snow storage areas for the streets and parking lots. An effective snow
removal strategy should be identified in order to remove winter-time impediments to pedestrian movement.
Walkable, human-scale design calls for an interactive building interface along the street edge. When open-surface
parking is adjacent to the streets, it creates breaks in the desired building edge. Priority should be given to on-
street parking that supports shopping and convenience services. Longer-term, commuter parking should be
moved into structures, placed underground, or placed on the periphery with an associated transit plan. Transit
development should be considered to avoid additional long-term costs as part of a strategy that supports higher-
density development.
Parking structures would also enable residential or professional office projects in the downtown through a shared
parking strategy. By sharing development costs parking structures could be developed more economically making
private investment in the downtown more likely.
In recent years, growing economic activity has increased the number of employees looking for parking in the
downtown. The nature of employee parking is different than that of past, retail users. Employees needhave less
turnover and longer parking times. If employee parking isn't available, a competition with retail customers is
created. If the City is successful in its bid to intensify densities in the downtown, this conflict will expand.
Conclusion
This vision for downtown must also promote cultural elements that encourage a sense of belonging and
community identity. Investment in this area must be part of a shared, community vision; a vision that
characterizes downtown as a distinct place, a place of gathering, a place which reflects the values and interests of
the community at large. Pedestrian, vehicle, and transit connections allow access to the downtown. Development
in the area between campus and downtown affords a unique opportunity to bring the campus and city together.
Supporting a strategy of incorporating parking into new development would necessitate a change in the overall
management of street parking in the downtown. Street parking would need to focus on short duration customer
parking or even shorter drop off and loading zones. Replacing the current permit system with a timed or metered
approach would increase the turnover and utilization. New technologies would make a timed fee easier to
implement. Parking fees should be reflective of location and demand. Free parking could still be part of the mix,
but may not be as convenient.
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Downtown
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The Traditional Center of
the Community
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Centrally Located
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Synergistic Anchors
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Unique Culture
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Sense of Identity
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& new
Public Spaces
A Regional Economic Hub
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Arts & Entertainment
Enclosure = Safety
Jobs, Innovation
Windows/doors
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Increased densities
create interest
Diversity of uses &
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Pedestrian focused
activities
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Quality public spaces
Unique shopping
o
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Gathering
and eating
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Activating the Streets
opportunities
Summary
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Arts
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of A
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Strategic
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Connections
ApproachTh
Walkability
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Mobility
emes for
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Downtown Living
Access
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Safety
Adds activity
Street Design
Safety
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Parking
Housing choices
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Transit
Affordable Options
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IMPLEMENTATION:
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GAP ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
1.Parcel Acquisition and/or consolidation of key parcels
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2.Revision of the City’s Ordinances and Development Code
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3.Upgraded infrastructure
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4.Façade Improvements – Revolving Loan Program
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5.Reduced Building & Impact Fees
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AVAILABLE STRATEGIES
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1.Design public spaces in the downtown for gathering.
2.Encourage high-density housing development in the downtown.
3.Buildings should have windows and doors oriented toward the street inviting walkers-by to enter.
4.Buildings should create enclosure with an emphasis on the ground floor.
5.Sidewalks should be bordered with trees and planters, creating vertical elements.
6.Artists will be encouraged to create pieces that reflect the distinct character of Rexburg.
CONNECTION STRATEGIES
1.Reduce land widths.
2.Separate people from vehicle lanes and parking spaces with….
3.Shorten pedestrian crossings and mark them clearly.
4.Widen sidewalks to accommodate large crowds of people.
5.Short-duration customer parking plan.
6.Encourage shared parking structures for developers.
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BUSINESS STRATEGIES
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1.Business recruitment of missing or limited activities
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2.Business incubation, accelerator, and support of mature businesses
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3.Entrepreneurial contests
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4.Networking
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5.Industry sector meetings
6.E-Center
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EVENT PLANNING AND COORDINATION
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BARRIERS TO DEVELOPMENT
Downtown property continues to increase in value. Surface parking is a costly underutilization of downtown
property. Of the 202 acres in the downtown, 60 acres are public right-of-ways, leaving 142 acres for buildings,
parking, and landscaping. Of that, 54 acres or 38% of the developable land is currently being used as parking.
Much of it is tax exempt or has a low taxable value. Redevelopment of parking lots will increase taxable revenue in
the downtown, fill the breaks of the downtown fabric, and create a more viable mix of uses at higher densities.
Support of a strategy to incorporate parking with new development would necessitate a change in the overall Formatted: Font: 14 pt, Bold
management of street parking in the downtown. Street parking would need to focus on short-duration customer
parking or even shorter drop-off and loading zones. Replacing the current permit system with a timed or metered
approach would increase the turnover and utilization. New technologies would make a timed fee easier to
implement. Parking fees should be reflective of location and demand. Free parking could still be part of the mix,
but may not be as convenient.
Incorporating multi-level, parking structures would open the door to redevelopment on existing public and private
parcels. Parking structures would also enable residential or professional office projects in the downtown through a
shared, parking strategy. By sharing development costs, parking structures could be developed more
economically, making private investment in the downtown more likely.
FINANCIAL OPTIONS
501c3 status preferred
Grant Writings
Fund Raising
New Market Tax Credits
BID
Public/Private partnerships
Tax Incentives
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REDEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
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Formatted: Font: 14 pt, Bold
PROJECT New City Parking Structure
PROJECT
TYPE
COST
COMPANION
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION Lot 2 Block 8 east of Center Street
PROJECT Joint City & County Building
PROJECT
PROJECT Madison School District
TYPE
PROJECT
COST
TYPE
COMPANION
PROJECT Urban Renewal – Mixed Use
Formatted: Font: 9 pt
COST
PROJECT
PROJECT TYPE
Formatted: Font: 9 pt
COMPANION
DESCRIPTION Shared facility
PROJECT
COST
Formatted: Font: 9 pt
DESCRIPTION New School District Administration Building
COMPANION
Formatted: Font: 9 pt
PROJECT Mixed Use University Buildings
PROJECT
PROJECT TYPE
DESCRIPTION S. Yellowstone Hwy & W. 4 th S.
Formatted: Font: 9 pt
Formatted: Superscript
COST
COMPANION
PROJECT
DESCRIPTION Buildings with office space, restaurants,
commercial, housing, classrooms, etc.
PROJECT Post Office
Formatted Table
PROJECT TYPE
Formatted Table
COST
COMPANION PROJECT
DESCRIPTION Reduce the footprint of
the post office
PROJECT Silverwood Properties S 2 nd E & E 1 st S
PROJECT
TYPE
COST
COMPANION
PROJECT
15 | Page
DESCRIPTION Possible redevelopment
16 | Page
A Prosperous Community - Activities
Downtown Rexburg will maintain and strengthen its status as the center of the community. As the “City Center,”
the downtown will contain a unique mix of governmental, cultural, professional, educational, commercial,
entertainment, and residential activities. As it has in the past, downtown Rexburg will continue to be an economic
engine for all of Madison County. Significant increases in high-quality professional jobs and additional residential
density will result in a more active core. This will generate new business opportunities.
Event Planning and Coordination
Promoting infill projects will take advantage of existing infrastructure, lower costs, and strengthen existing assets
in the downtown. A combination of special events, cultural activities, and unique attractions will bring visitors
downtown. The downtown will build upon its proximity to BYU-Idaho, its cultural activities and facilities, like the
Tabernacle and Romance Theater, and its unique local business climate in ways that generate a critical mass of
economic growth and prosperity. This prosperity will improve the quality of life for all of the citizens of Rexburg.
Promote a diverse mix of economic activities by developing a robust public infrastructure that facilitates
effective patterns of pedestrian and vehicular access.
Cultivate an innovative culture of entrepreneurial business activity, creating a meeting place for creative
minds.
Create a high-quality, built environment that is attractive to employers, residents, and visitors.
Establish a wide range of residential options in and surrounding downtown.
Promote a unique gathering venue that people identify as “The Heart of Rexburg.”
Create a flexible network of buildings and streets than can quickly adapt to changing market conditions.
Utilize collaborative partnerships in the planning and development of downtown.
17 | Page
WHERE WAS INFORMATION GLEANED FROM?
FORM BASE CODE INTRODUCTION
In recent years, the format of form-based code documents hasve improved. Early codes were text
heavy, in paragraph form. The Rexburg form-based code is based on a template developed by Opticos
Design, Inc. out of Berkleely, California, for the city of Mesa, Arizona. The code will be linked to the
regulating plan, which when adopted, codifies the districts’ street and infrastructure network, giving
Rexburg the tools to guide the layout of roads, transportation, and utility systems. The form-based code
will layout the street types, giving a specific form to each street identified on the regulating plan. The
form-based code will also define the form or architectural style of the vertical elements of the buildings
along those street-fronts.
Using the Mesa, Arizona form-based code as a starting point, the project team collaborated with local
architects and developers to choose appropriate places for each of the types of streets and their
elements, as well as working with students at the local university, BYU-Idaho. The project team
18 | Page
attended form-based conferences to learn ideas that could be adaptable to the City of Rexburg. Form-
based codes are an alternative solution, by integrating uses and allowing a focus on a more overall
design for the downtown.
The implementation strategy has been applied to the downtown area, but also encompasses the area
surrounding Porter Park. The area identified in the implementation area will replace the Euclidean
zoning, which is mainly included currently in the Central Business District zoning area.
BENEFITS OF FORM-BASED CODES
DESCRIPTION OF REGULATING PLAN
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