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A draft of the city's new comprehensive plan has been published, and its author is looking for constructive criticism -- including opinions on a recommendation that the city create a $50 million fund over the next decade and a half to help realize the plan's vision.
That vision is centered on an upgrade of the city' public places and neighborhoods, so Altoona can attract and retain young people and talented workers, according to Peter Lombardi, director of revitalization planning for consulting firm czb, speaking Monday to City Council.
Lombardi wants people who have a stake in the city's future to "vet" the draft and provide feedback, so czb can make necessary revisions before presenting a final draft to council in April.
czb has straddled a "fine line" so that the plan can be both "implementable and transformational," according to Lombardi.
It's intended to be realistic, even as it is designed to steer the city into a "pivot," so that Altoona can achieve the vision that came out of czb's interaction with those stakeholders during the plan's development, Lombardi said.
If the city continues to move along its current path, allocating resources at the current levels, it isn't likely to realize that vision, he said.
But it can achieve what its stakeholders want if it begins "grappling with the fact that more resources are needed," he said.
Federal and state infusions won't be enough, however, according to Lombardi.
There will need to be a focus on "how to creatively bring together local revenue streams" -- both public and private -- for the "All Together Altoona Fund," he said.
That will require bulking up the coordinating capacity of City Hall, he added.
The overall effort will require attention to housing "at all levels" -- with construction of new units, rehabilitation of worthwhile old buildings and demolition of the "weakest," Lombardi said.
New housing is especially needed downtown, he said.
It will also require an update of the Zoning Code and the Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, he said.
For public places, what's needed is a vibrant downtown, safer and more beautiful streets and first-rate and well-connected parks and trails, according to the draft plan.
For downtown, that will mean more recognizable core blocks, more residents with a healthier mix of incomes and steadily rising property values, according to the draft.
Major streets will need to become more walkable, with nice trees, good lighting, comfortable bicycle facilities and well-designed transitions between public and private spaces, according to the draft plan.
There needs also to be more investment in parks and trails, with quality infrastructure and equipment to make those spaces attractive enough to become well used, according to the plan.
The components of the plan that deal with housing will help give the city a roadmap to realize goals that the Redevelopment Authority/Land Bank have been working toward over the last several years, said Councilman Ron Beatty.
"The plan will go a long way to helping us navigate the future," said Mayor Matt Pacifico.
The draft plan is available at alltogetheraltoona.org.
There is a notice on the top of the website that explains how to lodge comments.
Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 814-949-7038.