Council tables proposal to restart public-engagement process for Veterans Park

Councilmember Miss Harris asked staff to prepare a public-engagement and community-visioning plan for Veterans Park and downtown redevelopment, proposing online surveys and charrette-style public meetings this summer and staff evaluation of input in the fall. Staff (Mr. Dupont) described options—online surveys, display meetings, parking and environmental review—and suggested a timeline to collect input and return recommendations.

Several councilmembers questioned whether repeating public forums would yield different results: Councilman Brooks noted staff reported roughly 28 prior public meetings or forums dating back to 2018. Some members favored targeted online engagement to broaden participation; others said the public should be given further opportunities to weigh in. Miss Shoemaker moved to table Miss Harris’s motion until staff can provide more detail about what staff can complete in-house, likely costs, and a controlled approach for community input.

The motion to table—seconded by Miss Harris—passed unanimously, leaving the engagement proposal paused pending staff follow-up on capacity and funding options. Councilmembers also asked staff to explore funding alternatives, noting a 2021 bond referendum to fund the park failed and a previously proposed public–private partnership was rejected.