Community Partner,

The City of Great Falls Planning and Community Development Department is excited to announce the kick-off of a planning process to create a Downtown Master Plan, the first plan created specifically for Downtown Great Falls. The plan will focus on ways to bring people and activity back into Downtown and strengthen it as the community’s center for commerce, finance, entertainment, and culture. How can we accomplish this? With your help!

As a citizen of Great Falls, you are invited to participate in the creation of the Downtown Master Plan as a member of one of four Working Groups.

Working Groups will focus on four primary Elements:

Downtown Livability

“Livability” refers to the physical, social, and environmental quality of Downtown as it is perceived by residents and visitors. Livability includes public health and safety, environmental quality, opportunities for physical activity and recreation, housing and neighborhoods, access to human services, and social interaction.

Downtown Character

“Character” refers to the sense of place found downtown, conveyed through the built environment. Character is affected by Downtown’s historic identity, the design of Downtown buildings and structures, streetscape features, and an inviting and welcoming sense to residents and visitors.

Downtown Accessibility

“Accessibility” refers to residents’ and visitors’ ability to reach a variety of goods, services, and amenities in an efficient manner by multiple modes of transportation. Accessibility is affected by streets and roadways, bicycle and pedestrian networks, parking infrastructure, and the public transportation system.

Downtown Vitality

“Vitality” refers to Downtown’s role as the center of commerce, culture, and community events, and the opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy these amenities. Vitality is affected by the mix of land uses, business retention and expansion, and the marketing of Downtown.

No plan can be successful without active community participation. This is your opportunity to be an active participant in the Downtown Master Plan and help shape the future of Downtown Great Falls. We anticipate that Working Groups will meet on a monthly basis beginning August 31, 2010 and conclude in June of 2011. If you would like to participate please complete the attached form and return to Brant Birkeland, Comprehensive Planner II with the City of Great Falls by Wednesday August 25, 2010. If you have any questions, please contact Brant in the Planning and Community Development Department at 455-8428.

Thank you for your consideration and we look forward to seeing you on August 31, at 5:30 PM in the Gibson Room of the Civic Center.