By rdnewsNOW staff

Downtown Area Redevelopment Plan

Lacombe launches community consultation to forge future of downtown core

Oct 22, 2020 | 11:45 AM

The City of Lacombe has begun an engagement process with residents and businesses to help guide the future of the community’s Downtown Area Redevelopment Plan (DARP).

After replacing 1999’s Heart of Town Plan in 2013, City officials say DARP has emerged as a vision for how development in Lacombe’s historic downtown would proceed. The DARP, in essence, is described as a response to the steady growth and redevelopment pressure facing Lacombe’s downtown.

Officials say the original document resulted in several successful projects and outcomes, including:

• Land Use Bylaw Amendments
• The Heritage Preservation Program
• Creating a Downtown Market
• Music in the Park at the LMC
• Improvements to 50 Avenue (Main Street Program)
• Enhancements to Lest We Forget Park
• New Public Art

Lacombe City Council has earmarked $1.7 million over the next 10 years towards DARP projects. These funds are anticipated to support the next phase of the plan, with City staff consulting with citizens on how to invest these funds.

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“Lacombe City Council is pleased to be able to help guide the future development of our historic downtown with this investment,” says City of Lacombe Mayor Grant Creasey, in a press release. “The previous phase of the DARP proved to be an invaluable tool to guide development in our core, while still maintaining the character of our community. I look forward to seeing how our community decides to shape our downtown as we advance through the engagement phase.”

Officials say future development will follow the Guiding Principles of DARP, which include:

1. Walkable and accessible streets

2. Unique look and vibe downtown

3. Year-round outdoor gathering space

4. Preserve and/or reuse heritage structures

5. Inclusive housing choices downtown

6. Revitalized buildings that complement the community’s historic roots

7. Expand the City’s signature main street

8. Centralize more City services

9. Bring more of the Arts downtown

10. Support tourism opportunities

To prioritize funding, City staff will be asking residents and businesses to have their say in several ways – starting with a survey, which can be completed here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5P359SR.

After Administration analyzes the survey results, the City will conduct a series of workshops with a new DARP Advisory Committee in 2021. This committee will use the survey results to help create a document informing council and administration on how to proceed with the DARP plan including funding allocation recommendations.

“City staff are pleased to implement the latest DARP engagement phase,” adds Operations and Planning Services Director Jordan Thompson. “By gaining insight into how the community wants the downtown area to develop – administration can move forward with a clear understanding of how to utilize these newly budgeted funds.”

If you are passionate about Lacombe’s downtown and wish to be considered for the DARP committee, submit your contact information via the survey.

You can log on to www.lacombe.ca/DARP for more information.