Destination: Downtown was developed through a collaborative effort spearheaded by the Meridian Development Corporation (MDC). A number of Stakeholders were identified within the community and worked with the consulting team throughout the process. Public input was also critical and there were several opportunities during the process for public contribution. The entire visioning process took about eight months to develop, with this Vision as the primary work product.
The process incorporated a wide range of community outreach tools and numerous workshops and open houses to solicit feedback as well as media coverage to drive awareness. Below are additional details about each of these components:
VISIONING WORKSHOPS
Six monthly stakeholder meetings were held throughout the process. These meetings were themed and focused on different aspects of the Plan. Stakeholder meetings were also held at the end of the entire process to help craft the final Vision.
Stakeholder Meeting #1: This meeting introduced the stakeholders to the Visioning process. Participants put forward names of model places (downtowns, towns amd cities) and elements within them which downtown Meridian could be fashioned after. Participants at this workshop also identified major focus areas for the development of the downtown.
Stakeholder Meeting #2: Participants at the second stakeholder meeting synthesized, discussed and edited the list of model places and elements crafted at the first meeting. The consulting team then led a discussion on the existing economic and demographic profile of Meridian. Participants crafted vision statements and put forward ‘big ideas’, or specific projects for Meridian.
Stakeholder Meeting #3: Participants reviewed materials from the previous stakeholder meeting and also helped to complete the ‘big ideas’ strategic plans. Participants were divided into small groups, which helped to identify and refine district boundaries, themes and elements.
Stakeholder Meeting #4: This included a design charrette in November 2009 in downtown Meridian and was the highlight of the entire process. The charrette was a four (4) day event that brought the MDC, the City, the consulting team, stakeholders and the general public together to craft ideas for developing the Downtown.
Stakeholder Meeting #5: This meeting discussed parking for the downtown area. A final framework scenario was selected among a number of options, and specific projects for Plan implementation were prioritized.
Stakeholder Meeting #6: Stakeholders reviewed and discussed a variety of images to select building and place character types, which they felt belonged to the Vision for Meridian’s downtown. They also discussed scenarios and opportunities for market absorption in the downtown.
PUBLIC INPUT
There were opportunities for public input during the process. Open houses and public ‘question & answer’ sessions gave opportunities for public discourse and contribution.
MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS
The media was an invaluable contribution to the success of Destination: Downtown. News, print and electronic media were used to publicize and inform the general public on upcoming workshops, and were also used to keep stakeholders in tune with the process.
News Media: Local television and radio broadcast channels covered the story of the process and conducted interviews of the consultants and the stakeholders during the design charrette. The charrette coverage was on local TV channels 2, 7 and 12.
Print Media: The Visioning exercise was also featured in local print media such as the Idaho Statesman, the Valley Times, and the Idaho Business Review.
Internet: An interactive website was set up for the project: This gave people the opportunity to follow the process and contribute as well. On-going materials from the consulting team were also made available on the website: www.destination-downtown.org