Board approves $75,000 node‑coordination study; staff outlines Neighborhood Works Plus submissions and master project map

The advisory board approved a recommendation that city council allocate $75,000 for an urban‑design contract to coordinate a cluster of projects — the art museum grounds, Bennett improvements, Perry Tennis Center, trails and potential private development — into a cohesive neighborhood node.

Staff explained the scope: a 3–4 month urban design role to tie multiple initiatives together so individual projects complement each other functionally and spatially. The board moved and approved the recommendation after brief discussion of north–south and east–west linkages to the art museum.

Staff also updated the board on Neighborhood Works Plus and a larger master project list. They reported roughly 360 community ideas submitted so far, consultant support (Dane Seiler) engaged to convert ideas into feasible projects, and a plan to present a tiered project map with GIS overlays at the February meeting. Board members suggested inviting Restore SGF, utility staff and corridor planners to future sessions and asked staff to compile funded vs. unfunded submissions for consistency in invitations.

Next steps: council will receive the $75,000 coordination request; staff will present the tiered project map in February and schedule housing and utility discussions in March–April.