DOWNTOWNVISTACOMMITTEECity Manager ’s Office DRAFT WORK PLAN April 18, 2025
INTRODUCTION
The Downtown Committee was formed pursuant to City Council direction received on October 22, 2024, to evaluate parking, circulation, and public space within the historic downtown area. The Committee consists of 12 members as follows:
City Council: Corinna Contreras
Planning Commission: Lisa De Jesus
Traffic Commission: Sharon Larimer
CVBID Advisory Committee: Terry Woods
Community Safety Commission: Nicole Halle
Vista Chamber of Commerce: Lev Gershman
Business Owner: Natalie Trevino
Business Owner: Mike Zane
Property Owner: Julie Lowen
Property Owner: Clay McCarthy
Resident: Anne Pate
Resident: Deanna Faraone
GOALS
Strengthen community engagement through an open and transparent public process.
Improve parking and accessibility while maintaining adequate circulation.
Enhance the public space with landscape/hardscape improvements and public amenities to create a unified theme.
Identify and enhance connections to the historic downtown from surrounding public uses and transportation hubs.
Create a Downtown Plan that can be used for future funding and capital projects.
DRAFT WORK
PLAN
Downtown Vista
Committee
WORK PLAN
KICKOFF MEETING – Vision for Downtown
March 7, 2025: AVO Playhouse
Introductions
Vision for Downtown
Presentations
COMMITEE MEETING #2 – Parking and Circulation
April 29, 2025 @ 6 pm: Civic Center, Morris B. Vance Community Room Review Draft Work Plan and Goals
Draft Work Plan to be distributed by staff and reviewed by Committee Discuss Goals, Work Plan and Future Dates
Hands-On Exercise to review circulation and parking concepts for analysis Break out groups with maps of Historic Downtown
Mark-up, post-its, stickers used to develop circulation and parking scenarios
Develop three scenarios for formal traffic analysis, or refine and bring back three recommendations at next meeting depending on the options presented
Prioritize short-term and long-term parking and circulation options List short-term plans, such as pilot parking concepts, drop-off zones, loading zones, etc.
Identify long-term parking or circulation options for inclusion in the plan, or further study
COMMITEE MEETING #3 – Walk Audit and Public Open Space
June 3, 2025 @ 6 pm: AVO Playhouse
Walk Audit of the Historic Downtown [those who wish to participate] Identify areas in need of wayfinding, accessibility improvements, and/or activation
Maps of the area provided for mark-up or notes
Develop recommendations for hands-on mapping exercise
DRAFT WORK
PLAN
Continued next page
Downtown Vista
Committee
COMMITEE MEETING #3 – Walk Audit and Public Open Space, continued
Landscape Architect/Consultant to review public space considerations Hands-On Exercise to review opportunities to enhance public space and connectivity
Break out groups back at AVO Playhouse with maps of Historic Downtown and/or easels with maps posted
Mark-up, post-its, stickers used to identify opportunities for public spaces and improvements, wayfinding, connections, etc.
Develop public space and accessibility recommendations for inclusion in the Downtown Plan
Develop a list and prioritize short-term and long-term opportunities for enhancement within the public right-of-way. Follow up with cost estimates
COMMITEE MEETING #4 – Parking and Circulation Analysis and Recommendations
June 23, 2025 @ 6 pm: Civic Center, Morris B. Vance Community Room Review Traffic Analysis with Traffic Consultant’s findings and recommendations
Traffic consultant’s modeling and analysis of the three scenarios distributed and reviewed by Committee
Discuss options presented and select a preferred alternative for inclusion in the Downtown Plan
COMMITEE MEETING #5 – Creating the Downtown Plan
August 28, 2025 @ 6 pm: Civic Center, Morris B. Vance Community Room Review final recommendations for parking and circulation along with public open space
Draft Downtown Plan final concepts presented and discussed Traffic Consultant presents final circulation and parking plan Landscape Architect/Consultant presents final public space and right-of-way recommendations
Make any final adjustments/recommendations related to the Downtown Plan
Develop and discuss draft budget estimates
DRAFT WORK
PLAN
Continued next page
Downtown Vista
Committee
COMMITEE MEETING #5 – Creating the Downtown Plan, continued Develop final recommendations to the City Council
Discuss final Downtown Plan and presentation to the City Council along with any additional recommendations
Provide phased cost estimates for the Downtown Plan to include in City Council recommendations
Discuss any potential funding sources for presentation to the City Council
CITY COUNCIL PRESENTATION – Committee Recommendations
September 23, 2025: @ 5:30 pm, Civic Center, Council Chambers Present final recommendations to the City Council in discussion format
DRAFT WORK
PLAN
RECAP OF FUTURE MEETING DATES
April 29, 2025, at 6 pm
Civic Center Morris B. Vance Community Room
200 Civic Center Drive
June 3, 2025, at 6 pm
AVO Playhouse
303 Main Street
June 23, 2025, at 6 pm
Civic Center Morris B. Vance Community Room
August 28, 2025, at 6 pm
Civic Center Morris B. Vance Community Room
September 23, 2025, at 5:30 pm
Civic Center Council Chambers
200 Civic Center Drive
Project website: vista.gov/downtown
Downtown Vista
Committee