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Where is the heart of Veneta? Where can people gather, where can
they catch up after work within walking or biking distance from
their homes? Thanks to the citizens of Veneta, the Urban Renewal
Agency/City Council, the Downtown Plan Advisory Committee, the
Veneta Planning Commission, the Oregon Downtown Development Association
and City staff; a Downtown concept has been created. Adopted in
June of 2006, Veneta’s Downtown Master Plan is the first
step in creating a tangible, visual change in Veneta.
Throughout the process of creating the Downtown Master Plan, the community has expressed their desire to ensure Veneta celebrates what makes it special through elements of the streetscape, urban design, and local activities. Veneta has several strong assets that it will focus on, including: unique connections to the Fern Ridge park system, numerous artists, farms and wineries in the area, small town feel, and history as seen through the Applegate Pioneer Museum.
These assets, along with Veneta’s proximity to the Eugene/Springfield metro area make it an ideal place to live, work and play. As Lane County’s fastest growing community, this concept aims to shape the community in a diligent, conscious manner. As a result of implementing this concept, Veneta aims to encourage business investment and create a thriving, active retail district.
Components
of the concept include to:
- Improve streetscape
through the addition of sidewalks, plantings, lighting and furnishings;
- Create safer
pedestrian crossings through upgraded crosswalks and medians,
where appropriate;
- Create infrastructure
upgrades that include sever connections along the north side
of Broadway from Territorial to 5th, a lift station, and electricity
and irrigation installed under sidewalks for street lighting
and plant maintenance;
- Encourage
on-site parking where possible and tucking off-street shared
parking to the sides and behind businesses;
- Consolidate
driveways for safer access/egress and to gain additional parking;
- Infill ‘opportunity sites’ with
development that adds to the pedestrian experience to strengthen
and complement the district
- Activate
side yards with outdoor dining;
- Develop an
attractive, functional and efficient transit station option;
- Develop Waldo
Lane, and its connectors, to create better circulation patterns
for both vehicles and pedestrians/bikes, more parking, and access
the backs of businesses;
- “Green up” front
yards of businesses by getting rid of excess pavement and replacing
with planting; and
- Create inviting public spaces that complement the built environment.
A copy of the Downtown Master Plan is available at City Hall for public review, and on the Recent Planning Documents page. As
always, City Staff and the Urban Renewal Agency/City Council invite
all community members to public meetings. Information is located in
the Civic Calendar page.
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