Lot EFG temporary activation

Lot EFG is a 1.10-acre property located in the core of downtown and is currently a remediation site undergoing a six-to-eight-year estimated cleanup strategy. Permanent site uses will be explored from a land use and economic feasibility perspective in the upcoming Downtown Subarea plan update, which the pending 2024 Comprehensive Plan has prioritized as a future implementation action. Until the “No Further Remediation” designation, Council requested staff to temporarily activate the site. A temporary activation refers to short-term use and/or programming of an area to become more useable to the public and encourage engagement.

On March 5, 2024, staff briefed council on community survey results for temporary activation methods for Lot EFG and presented a phased approach to achieve temporary activation this year. Council directed staff to initiate the first phase with the focus on four additional Pop Shops, a food truck pad, and ADA accessibility. Since that time, staff has engaged with consultants on implementation of the first phase including site plans, permit drawings, and construction management using previously allocated funding from the American Rescue Plan Act.

This work is now beginning, and you may see new signs and contractors in the area. This vacant lot has sometimes been used for parking, but with construction starting, please be advised that parking is no longer allowed on the site. This measure is necessary to ensure safety as well as efficiency of the construction process.