CITY OF BELLFLOWER
Analysis of Arts District
Potential for Clark Avenue
Presented by James Troyer
July 2023
Background
Clark Avenue
•Both sides of Clark Ave., specifically between Alondra Blvd. and Oak St., there are several commercial and office spaces that are vacant or underutilized •At the request of Mayor Santa Ines, staff sought out to analyze existing uses within the area and explore the possibility of establishing an arts district within the area •Staff amended the Agreement with Tripepi Smith and Associates to provide planning consultant services to complete a study regarding establishing an arts district •The study area consists of two distinct areas:
•Area 1: along Clark Avenue between Alondra Boulevard and Oak Street •Area 2: along Clark Avenue between Flower Street to Rose Street 2 Purpose of Study Session
•Present the conclusions and recommendations of the arts district study to the City Council
•Obtain direction and feedback from the City Council of the potential to establish an arts district on Clark Ave.
3 Existing Conditions & Conclusions
4 Area 1
•Suffers from vacancies and deferred maintenance
•Properties have little lot depth and would be difficult to demolish and reconstruct •Ideally, these building could be rehabilitated, improved, and occupied by new tenants to support establishment of an arts district
Area 2
•Consists of a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial uses •Properties are occupied and larger in size and could not be easily redeveloped •This area will more likely respond to market forces rather than City policy changes
Initial Action Steps
Citywide Actions
•Develop a citywide electronic survey gauging resident interest in increased arts and culture and report results back to City Council and the community.
•Inventory existing municipal arts activities to use as a baseline •Increase capacity building -“You can’t do it alone” and engage multiple community organizations to help increase arts and culture, such as:
•School districts
•Chamber/private sector
•Seniors/veterans
•Community Colleges/CSULB/CSUDH
•LA County
5 Grant Funding and Technical Assistance
•Minimize Impact to the General Fund
•Detail of the LA County Arts and Culture Strategic Plan in the report •Apply for grants and technical assistance from Los Angeles County's Cultural Policy Strategic Plan established July 1, 2022
•LA County ArtsEd Collective provides school districts free technical assistance in developing strategic plans regarding youth arts education and development.
Will help develop Middle and High School Artists
•Recruit Non-Profit Artist Loft Developers to tour Clark Avenue •Apply for any Federal, State and Foundation Arts grants 6 City/Clark Avenue Actions
•Slowly introduce increased arts classes citywide to gauge interest •Designate a city department to administer arts and culture citywide •Conduct walking tours with non-profit artist loft developers to identify Clark Avenue development sites
•Develop a mural and utility box painting program
•Help revive city art non-profit
•Consider 5-to 10-years arts strategic or cultural plan •Review in-lieu for Art and Public Places fund
7 Vacant Storefronts on Clark Avenue
8 Vacant Storefront Program
City of Campbell vacant storefront program:
9 General Plan and
Zoning Actions
10 Plan for Areas
•Area 1 -Economic Development Intensive. Vacant Storefront Program, heavily promote area as future “Arts District“, create “Arts Overlay Zone” provide many Arts related uses as permitted
•Area 2 -Review development standards for consistency with Housing Element Housing Opportunity Areas with housing development standards at 30 units to the acre located at Clark/Artesia, Clark/Park. 11 Recommendation
1.Receive, file, and provide direction regarding establishing an Arts District on Clark Avenue; or
2.Alternatively, discuss and take other action related to this item. 12 Questions?
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