[media-credit name=’JEFF SCHORFHEIDE/Herald photo’ align=’alignright’ width=’336′][/media-credit]

Mayor Dave Cieslewicz kicked off the start of a one-year process to produce a comprehensive new development plan of the downtown area Wednesday evening.

According to Mark Olinger, director for the department of planning and community and economic development, the last effort to look at Madison development from a holistic approach was adopted in 1989, dubbed Downtown 2000. The plan produced city fixtures such as Monona Terrace and the Overture Center, but changes over the past 20 years call for a new plan.

“It has been over 20 years since we have had a downtown plan, and it was probably written on a typewriter,” Cieslewicz said.

The plan will include improvements to the city such as creating more efficient transportation, adding more diverse housing options and enriching the city’s aesthetic appeal, according to Bill Fruhling of the urban design commission.

Although the specific goals of the plan are to be determined over the course of the next year, the

consensus was a new plan is necessary for the future success of the downtown area.

“I think this planning effort is critical,” said City Council President Mike Verveer, District 4. “The Downtown 2000 plan recommendations are today thought of as off the wall in some respect.”

City officials designated the downtown area as the point between Blair and Park streets on the isthmus, though citizens were encouraged to suggest their ideas of what the boundaries should encompass.

Citizens also formed breakout groups to contribute to the plan. Suggestions included expanding and creating a high-tech downtown library as well as encouraging public and private partnerships for cultural activities.

While Wednesday was the introduction to the new plan, the planning commission will hold many public meetings throughout the year and up to April 2009 to get feedback for the new downtown design plan.

“Tonight is the kickoff. Next fall we will start to identify alternatives and how to refine those and develop recommendations,” Fruhling said. “And then finally, about a year from now, we will be pulling this whole plan together and having very specific recommendations and implementation plans.”

According to Verveer, the future improvements will not only add to the appeal of the city but will also draw more University of Wisconsin students downtown.

“The UW students are the most important stakeholders downtown,” Verveer added. “And a strong, vibrant downtown helps attract both students, faculty and staff to come.”

Although there is no indication of how long the plan will last into the future, Verveer said it is necessary to start anew to create a sustainable and successfully vibrant downtown.

“It is important to start with a blank slate and a fresh start,” Verveer added. “I have every expectation that the new plan will likewise be a very important planning tool for a couple of decades into the future.”