Near-Northwest-Neighborhood-Plan-Final-Strategic-Plan-2019

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19 The neighborhood strategy provides a 20-year vision for the future of the Near Northwest. It provides a broad framework for future investment and develop- ment based on the shared vision of the community. Guiding Principles Based on community input and observations, guiding principles were developed which identify key consid- erations. The neighborhood strategy was developed using the guiding principles as a frame of reference for the planning process. The guiding principles are: • Maintain and enhance the unique identity of the neighborhood −Build upon existing institutions, local organi- zations, and community assets to reinforce the Near Northwest Neighborhood’s image −Protect historic landmarks and architectural character −Encourage new development to respond to the existing character −Consider neighborhood activities and events that allow for community gathering • Provide a neighborhood for all residents to thrive −Enable stability and a sense of community by increasing housing access −Retain existing local businesses and promote new neighborhood serving shops and services • Future development should respond to its sur- roundings and respect the existing neighborhood −Use an incremental development approach −New development character should fit within the neighborhood −Preserve existing housing while expanding housing choice −Develop high-level design principles for “Downtown North” • Reinforce the neighborhood center node on Por- tage Ave. −Explore adaptive reuse of the Ward Bakery building −Investigate opportunities to build on vacant lots in the node −Concentrate a mix of more intense uses in the area • Focus more intense uses along corridors −Focus commercial uses within nodes, includ- ing Lincoln Way West at Wilbur St. and Charles Martin Sr. Dr.; and Portage Ave. at California Ave. and Cushing St. −Maintain the existing residential character with thoughtful transitions to the surrounding neighborhood • Improve bike and pedestrian connectivity in and around the neighborhood −Strengthen connections to the river −Improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists −Explore expansion of the trail network • Improve resident access to parks and active recre- ation −Plan for better utilization of existing parks and trails −Explore the connection between Muessel Ele - mentary School and Muessel Grove Park −Explore enhanced access to park space west of Portage Ave. • Incorporate a mix of housing types −Well designed, properly scaled & integrated infill housing should be permitted −Focus more intense housing along or near cor- ridors with the most intense housing appropri- ate for the Lincoln Way West corridor −Thoughtful integration of missing middle housing types can provide housing affordabili- ty and housing choice • Use short-and long-term strategies to activate vacant lots −Appropriate infill construction is desired, but not all vacant lots will be developed −Activated vacant lots can be an asset −Community driven projects will have the greatest impact Neighborhood Strategy