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IMPROVETHEBOULEVARD Set the Course for Beach Boulevard and the Surrounding West Anaheim Community Beach Boulevard Specific Plan Community Outreach Report May 2014 – August 2014 ---PAGE BREAK--- Beach Boulevard Specific Plan Community Outreach Report This page intentionally left blank. ---PAGE BREAK--- Beach Boulevard Specific Plan Community Outreach Report EXECUTIVE OUTREACH OUTREACH COMMUNITY PROJECT KICK OFF OUTREACH OUTREACH KEY THEMES AND PRIORITY INVESTMENT TABLE OF CONTENTS ---PAGE BREAK--- Beach Boulevard Specific Plan Community Outreach Report This page intentionally left blank. ---PAGE BREAK--- Beach Boulevard Specific Plan Community Outreach Report Page 1 The Planning Department is pleased to present the results of the City’s preliminary community outreach efforts related to the Beach Boulevard Specific Plan project. In June 2014, the City was awarded nearly $500,000 from the California Strategic Growth Council to prepare the Beach Boulevard Specific Plan. In anticipation of future planning efforts, staff embarked on a community outreach program aimed at gaining a better understanding of the community’s perspective on the challenges and opportunities associated with Beach Boulevard and the surrounding West Anaheim area. This initial outreach effort, which took place between May and August, featured several community engagement activities, including outreach conducted at the Anaheim Western Barbeque and at several regularly-scheduled West Anaheim community meetings. In addition, two large-scale interactive workshops were held over the summer. The first workshop was held at the Haskett Library in June, attracting over 120 participants. At the request of local residents, a second workshop was held in August at the Biltmore apartment community, located on Lincoln Avenue, just east of Beach Boulevard. This event attracted over 40 mostly Spanish-speaking apartment residents. The number and scope of these outreach efforts helped to ensure that this initial engagement process captured the opinions of West Anaheim’s diverse population. It is important to note that the outreach conducted to date represents the first of several planned rounds of community input that will occur during the course of preparing the Specific Plan. Based on the feedback received up to this point., the Community has identified the following key themes and priority investment strategies: Theme 1: Crime and Safety Priority Investment Strategy 1: Focus on improving the health and welfare of our residents. - Increase police presence in areas of high drug trafficking and prostitution - Increase homelessness support services and transitional shelter options - Improve access to healthy and quality food options - Improve quallity of residential housing Theme 2: Character and Placemaking Priority Investment Strategy 2: Create a stronger community identity through diverse placemaking strategies. - Improve beautification along major corridors - Invest in community assets such as community centers, performing arts venues, senior centers, sports facilities, community gardens and open space - Develop a theme for businesses and properties along Beach Boulevard EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ---PAGE BREAK--- Beach Boulevard Specific Plan Community Outreach Report Page 2 Theme 3: Economy and Community Vitality Priority Investment Strategy 3: Invest resources into new, community-backed businesses. - Regulate and improve conditions of existing motels along Beach Boulevard - Support development of more diverse, higher quality dining and shopping options - Revitalize existing shopping centers - Support growth of locally-owned businesses Theme 4: Mobility Options Priority Investment Strategy 4: Provide viable mobility options for all - Improve sidewalk safety and accessibility along major corridors - Improve existing bus stops to be more inviting - Improve circulation at key intersections - Improve existing pedestrian and bicycling pathways and create greater pedestrian and bicycling connectivity ---PAGE BREAK--- Beach Boulevard Specific Plan Community Outreach Report During the 1950’s and 60’s, Beach Boulevard evolved into an area known for affordable, themed motels and restaurants, as well as roadside attractions aimed at traveling families. Over time the freeway system caused traffic to be diverted away from state highways, like Beach Boulevard, and businesses once catering to vacationers faltered or closed. In West Anaheim, nearly all of the motels that once catered to tourists eventually evolved into a form of permanent housing for which it was never designed. The dense concentration of residential motels in close proximity to established, well-maintained, residential neighborhoods has been a source of friction for some time. This is due to the fact that many motel properties generate a high number of calls for police services and often experience deferred maintenance. Beach Boulevard and the surrounding West Anaheim community are also characterized by an overabundance of aging, underutilized commercial properties. As a result, the area has struggled to attract the types of quality retail businesses, restaurants and entertainment uses enjoyed by many surrounding cities. Concerns regarding the operation and maintenance of residential motels and the lack of quality shopping, dining and entertainment options are major points of community concern. The City has made significant investment in the area over the years including construction of the West Anaheim Youth Center, major expansion of the Haskett Library, installation of a bike trail along an Edison easement and several infrastructure upgrades. In addition to making these significant investments, the City continues to address the issues and concerns of the residents while working with the business and property owners to address the negative elements present. However, more improvements and dialogue is needed to ensure this area is positively positioned for investment and improved quality of life. In June 2014, the City was awarded nearly $500,000 from the State’s Strategic Growth Council to prepare the Beach Boulevard Specific Plan (BBSP). In anticipation of this planning effort, the City has also initiated a community engagement effort to better understand the community’s perspective related to the challenges, opportunities, barriers and assets associated with Beach Boulevard and the West Anaheim community. The City enlisted the services of Lilley Planning Group, a local consulting firm specializing in public outreach to manage this community engagement effort. It is important to note that this initial engagement represents the first of several planned rounds of community input that will occur during the course of preparing the Specific Plan. The following summary report outlines the process and approach to inform and engage the public in this important conversation as well as the valuable feedback the community provided conveying its concerns and issues as well as its hopes and vision for the future. Page 3 INTRODUCTION ---PAGE BREAK--- Beach Boulevard Specific Plan Community Outreach Report A primary goal of this engagement effort was to ensure the process was inclusive and reached a wide audience. The effort was focused on ensuring participation reflected the diverse population of the West Anaheim community. In order to accomplish this, the community outreach effort employed several outreach strategies to ensure a high level of participation. These strategies included: • Using traditional and technology based methods to inform the public about the project and associated events; • Attending a variety of planned community events allowing informal and accessible conversations with the public related to improving West Anaheim; • Distributing surveys and arranging input forums to allow active communication with West Anaheim stakeholders; • Hosting a large-scale project kick-off event to gather input on existing conditions, raise awareness about the upcoming effort, and identify community leaders; and, • Enhancing interactive engagement through media tools such as Crowdbrite and the City’s website. OUTREACH PROCESS In May 2014, Planning Staff and the Lilley Planning team launched an information effort to raise awareness and encourage participation in a discussion related to the West Anaheim area with a particular focus on Beach Boulevard. A logo, tagline and website were developed and collateral material distributed throughout the community. Flyers and posters were displayed in locations in and around West Anaheim. A banner was hung at the West Anaheim Youth Center. Notices/invitations to encourage participation at the community kick-off event were sent to community leaders, business owners, clubs, organizations, as well as faith-based and non-profit groups throughout West Anaheim. The effort also utilized print media to promote participation. Advertising and informational articles were published in the Anaheim Bulletin and on the City’s website. Press releases were also issued. These pieces announced the Specific Plan, invited participation from the community to attend the workshops and educated the public on how to be involved in the process. Finally, a web-based platform was created to engage the public on-line. The Improvetheboulevard.com website created a hub of information for the project. The site contained an introduction to the process, announcements for upcoming events and interactive questions and surveys to engage the public and allow them to provide input. The site also allowed participants to review input received to date and ask questions and provide comments. This site was directly linked to the City’s website to allow the community to find this information easily. Project business cards, coloring pages, surveys, flyers and handouts included the improvetheboulevard.com website directing participants to go on line and get involved. Page 4 OUTREACH GOALS ---PAGE BREAK--- Beach Boulevard Specific Plan Community Outreach Report COMMUNITY MEETINGS To gain valuable feedback from local residents and increase awareness of this effort, the consultant and City Planning staff participated in several regularly-scheduled community meetings and events to meet with residents and business owners to share information about the outreach effort and gather input on how to “improve the boulevard.” This effort began in May 2014 and continued through August. The following events were included in this effort: • West Anaheim BBQ – May 10 • West District Neighborhood Council Meeting – May 27 • Parents’ Night Out at the West Anaheim Youth Center – May 29 • Various regularly-scheduled neighborhood meetings - May through August At each event, staff provided promotional material for the upcoming Specific Plan effort, promoted the project website, and distributed surveys allowing participants to share their thoughts on West Anaheim. Materials were created in English and Spanish and bilingual staff were available to engage visitors when needed. Treats and toys were also provided to encourage participation by children and families. Large scale maps were presented to facilitate interactive mapping and feedback discussions. Visitors were encouraged to identify where they lived, worked, shopped, or enjoyed entertainment and recreation in West Anaheim. They were also encouraged to identify they enjoyed visiting as well as problem areas. Page 5 ---PAGE BREAK--- Beach Boulevard Specific Plan Community Outreach Report The following represents common responses to the following questions: 1. What brought you to West Anaheim? • Desirable place to live • Wanted to live in Anaheim • Family has been here for generations • Great neighborhoods near entertainment • History, charm, and great parks 2. What are the best things about West Anaheim? • Local library • Parks • Historic feel 3. What are the problems in West Anaheim? • Traffic • Lack of lighting/safety • Crime/drugs/prostitution • Negative element related to motels 4. What would be one improvement you would most like to see? • More family-oriented retail • More police presence • Eliminate prostitution, criminal activity and loitering • Reuse, improve and reinvest in the businesses and motels on Beach Boulevard Improvetheboulevard.com: The Improve the Boulevard site provides an opportunity for the public to stay involved in the process, provide feedback and ask questions. The site offers the community a forum to allow 24 hour, convenient, accessible engagement. Information on the website has been viewed more than 1,979 times by 368 different individuals. Participants are not required to provide additional demographic information. However, of those willing to provide information, the following is known: Women represent 57% of the participants to the site and the average age of the participants is 47 years. Participation on the site peaked leading up to the community event held on June 28 indicating that promotional, informational and educational outreach was successful in reaching community members. Page 6 ---PAGE BREAK--- Beach Boulevard Specific Plan Community Outreach Report PROJECT KICK OFF EVENTS An interactive and dynamic community workshop was held at the Haskett Library on Saturday, June 28, attracting over 120 participants. During this open house-style meeting, residents, property owners, and business operators were invited to explore stations focused on West Anaheim, with an emphasis on Beach Boulevard and the surrounding residential neighborhoods. After providing input and comments at each station, participants were asked to complete a survey and provide responses to eight questions meant to capture the challenges and community vision for West Anaheim. At the request of local apartment residents, a second workshop was held at the Biltmore Apartments, located at 2900 W. Lincoln Avenue, on the evening of August 7. Over 40 residents attended the event. Similar to the June 28 event, this workshop offered residents the opportunity to provide input and comments at stations focused on West Anaheim. Materials were provided in English and Spanish and bilingual staff was present to accommodate the mostly Spanish-speaking crowd. Specific outcomes, participant information and a summary report of the survey are provided in the next section of this summary report. The following is a recap of the process and format of both open house events. Page 7 ---PAGE BREAK--- Beach Boulevard Specific Plan Community Outreach Report Page 8 Station #1 – Overview and Context At this interactive station, participants were asked to identify where they live, work or visit in West Anaheim. Then they were asked to review principles from the 2004 General Plan and respond to the following: • What has changed? • What is missing from the previous list? Sticky notes were used to capture thoughts and ideas. Facilitators worked to ensure all input was captured. A technology-based process allowed this information to be captured in an interactive electronic format that was also hosted online to allow those who were not able to attend this event to view comments, respond, provide input and be a part of this process at any time. ---PAGE BREAK--- Beach Boulevard Specific Plan Community Outreach Report Page 9 ---PAGE BREAK--- Beach Boulevard Specific Plan Community Outreach Report Page 10 Station #2 – Improve Beach Boulevard Next, participants were given a virtual tour of Beach Boulevard. A short video provided an overview of the area’s existing conditions and allowed participants to interact with each other and the facilitators to share their impressions and reactions. Next, participants were asked to provide input on how Beach Boulevard could be improved. Participants were asked to give specific suggestions related to the following for Beach Boulevard: • Safety and Access • Identity and Community Character • Economic Vitality • Transportation Options • Other Color-coded sticky notes were used to record specific responses and capture comments for each category. Attendees were also asked to provide examples of places that inspire them related to their vision of Beach Boulevard. ---PAGE BREAK--- Beach Boulevard Specific Plan Community Outreach Report Page 11 ---PAGE BREAK--- Beach Boulevard Specific Plan Community Outreach Report Page 12 Station #3 – Improve West Anaheim At this station, participants were asked to focus on the larger West Anaheim Neighborhood. Community members were asked to give specific suggestions related to the following: • Safety and Access • Identity and Community Character • Economic Vitality • Transportation Options • Other As part of this exercise, attendees were encouraged to identify challenges, opportunities and obstacles that exist today. The icon stickers were also used to identify future options for the topics listed above. ---PAGE BREAK--- Beach Boulevard Specific Plan Community Outreach Report Page 13 ---PAGE BREAK--- Beach Boulevard Specific Plan Community Outreach Report Page 14 Station #4 – Community Input Survey In an effort to better understand what changes the community would like to see in West Anaheim and more specifically along Beach Boulevard, the City prepared a survey that was shared with attendees. Community members were asked to complete the survey and give their input. The following pages provide a summary of the input received. ---PAGE BREAK--- Beach Boulevard Specific Plan Community Outreach Report Page 15 ---PAGE BREAK--- Beach Boulevard Specific Plan Community Outreach Report Page 16 OUTREACH PARTICIPANTS ---PAGE BREAK--- Beach Boulevard Specific Plan Community Outreach Report 1. What are the best things about West Anaheim? (physically, special features, places that you love, meeting places, the look and feel, etc.) TANGIBLE POSITIVES Big backyards Large sized residential lots for homes Gardens Great landscaping Streets are well maintained SPECIAL FEATURES Library Youth Center School Family-oriented Activities for all ages Variety unlike South County Convenient location to all Southern Calif. venues Tourism Quiet city Police are responsive and do a good job THE LOOK AND FEEL The people that live by me Caring neighbors My home The homes are unique, big and charming Great sense of community PLACES YOU LOVE/ MEETING PLACES Restaurants Parks Schweitzer Park Coffee houses Cafes Bistros Microbrewery Wine tastings Jazz clubs Packinghouse Downtown area Large parks Churches Schools NEGATIVE IMPRESSIONS Not much Security for children Security is an issue We don’t love West Anaheim anymore Nothing at all Honestly my kids go to Cypress, I shop in Cypress, and eat, play in other places. Page 17 OUTREACH RESULTS ---PAGE BREAK--- Beach Boulevard Specific Plan Community Outreach Report “The Community” Adventure City/Hobby City Anaheim Plaza Beach and Lincoln Biltmore Apartments Breweries Cerritos Church Coffee places Community Center Disneyland Don Jose ‘s restaurant Downtown Disney Downtown Fullerton East-West shopping center Fountain Valley, by mile square park Hasket Library Home Huntington Beach Irvine Keno’s Lake Forest Maxwell Park Mobile home club house Movies Newport Beach Old Towne Orange Orange Park Packing House Parks Paul’s Place Playground Reid Park Restaurants Second Street in Bel Mont Shores for shopping Senior Center South Coast Plaza Sports fields The Block in Orange Theater and Bella Terra Mall Wine tasting places Yorba Linda Youth Center 2a. Where do you like to gather with friends and family? Page 18 ---PAGE BREAK--- Beach Boulevard Specific Plan Community Outreach Report 2b. What makes the above places special? Ambiance Atmosphere Beautiful design Better than what West Anaheim has to offer Character Clean Convenient location Cypress College Friendly Good food It’s big Less parking problems Many activities for seniors Meets my needs My home and community New and lively Nice restaurants Nothing Options Relaxed Safe Shopping The energy The people The vibe They are within walking distance Unique Venue changes Very colorful Well lit areas Well maintained Page 19 ---PAGE BREAK--- Beach Boulevard Specific Plan Community Outreach Report 2c. Describe Characteristics of Your Neighborhood Positives Friendly, outgoing neighbors Quiet neighborhood Diverse Safe Pride of ownership Family-oriented Working class improving homes Great restaurants Vibrant community Many long time residents Okay Fair Good choice Nice neighborhoods Proud and peaceful Historic homes, lovingly restored Changing Very good Well kept Good shops Needs updating Disadvantaged and ignored Declining Too many apartments and condos Drugs, pimps, and prostitutes Noisy Dangerous No parking Risky drivers Traffic Over built Needs help Really bad on Beach Blvd Neglected Desperate Dirty So-so Homeless people Low income Busy Decaying infrastructure Really bad on Ball Rd. Aging Negatives Page 20 ---PAGE BREAK--- Beach Boulevard Specific Plan Community Outreach Report 3. Do you feel safe and comfortable walking in your neighborhood? NUMBER OF RESPONSES No 72 Yes 44 Sometimes 10 Only during the day 20 Why or why not? Too much traffic Unsafe Street people Drugs Nowhere to walk to Page 21 ---PAGE BREAK--- Beach Boulevard Specific Plan Community Outreach Report 4a. Would you use a bus if it were convenient? A much better clientele A shopping shuttle bus Already ride the bus Availability Being able to find a seat most busses very crowded Better access Clean Better routes Better service Cheaper bus passes Cleaning up Beach Blvd. Convenient service and closer bus stops Frequency/ More frequent stops Friendlier High gas prices Lower bus fare More attention to homeless riding the bus More buses More connectivity to major transit centers More knowledge of routes and times More safety Only on necessity Reduce crime Safe environment Traffic congestion Stopping at desirable destinations like children’s water park 4b. What might encourage you to ride the bus? NUMBER OF RESPONSES 2 Page 22 ---PAGE BREAK--- Beach Boulevard Specific Plan Community Outreach Report 5a. Do you ride your bike in West Anaheim? 5b. What might encourage you to ride your bike? 71 29 Place to ride Already do Beach Blvd is way too dangerous Better bike lanes Better health Better sidewalks Bike awareness Bike trails on rail easement Close destinations Dedicated bike lanes Health reasons Less crime Less street people Nothing I do not ride bikes If I didn’t need to drive If my car is inoperable More bicycle safety Somewhere to ride Traffic congestion Wouldn’t ride it Page 23 ---PAGE BREAK--- Beach Boulevard Specific Plan Community Outreach Report Crime Dangerous Drugs Gangs Illegal activities No entertainment Street people Traffic “Motel City” 7-11, CVS lots, Rite-Aid after dark Almost all my nearby areas Ball Rd Beach Blvd Behind our apartments Brookhurst Cerritos Crime areas Dale Euclid Katella and Harbor Knott Known gang areas La Palma Laxore Street Lincoln Magnolia Motels and Bars Night club - El Calor Orange Orange and Beach Blvd Pacific Place Parks Poorly lit streets Strip Malls The park Wal Mart 6a. What areas of West Anaheim do you avoid? 6b. What makes you want to avoid those places? Page 24 ---PAGE BREAK--- Beach Boulevard Specific Plan Community Outreach Report 7. What is the one improvement you would most like to see in West Anaheim? • A mall to shop and take family • A new look for motels on Beach • A new Trader Joe’s. How about in the vacant “Fresh & Easy” at Euclid & Broadway? • High end restaurants • Better shopping • Highway 39 as a destination shopping, eating and entertainment area • Complete the West Gate Development and do something with the big empty sand lot (17 acres) • Apartment complexes removed - Lincoln - Beach Blvd - Beach motels gone • More Police • Safer • Clean • Get rid of the street people • Code enforcement • Modernization • Underground utility lines • Performing Arts Center for entertainment • Cultural Center/Community Center • Senior Center • Youth Activity Center • Bike and walking trails • Alternative methods of transportation • A traffic study involving all cities along Beach Blvd. To get the traffic moving better • Better streets • Wider streets/Street improvements • Open green space/ Better landscaping • Crosswalk at Lincoln and Bel Air Street • Medical clinics • Police surveillance • More churches • Pedestrian lighting • 99 cent store • Smart N Final • Parks • Turn signal light added at Schweitzer Elementary • Water park • Active sports park • Supermarkets • Activities for adults and children Page 25 ---PAGE BREAK--- Beach Boulevard Specific Plan Community Outreach Report Page 26 8. What other improvements would you recommend? Better restaurants Family-friendly gathering places Finish all the development Higher end shopping Senior Center Center for homeless people More bike lanes Improved lighting Landscaping Safer Sidewalks Re-paving the streets Remove graffiti Clean up old houses Close all motels Remove all motels Less traffic More Police No more street people Slower traffic Address prostitution on Beach Blvd Address gang issues Stop light at Lincoln and Bel Air Security Traffic congestion Street lighting Women walking on Beach Blvd do not feel safe, motorists honk and leer at them, need more security Remove graffiti Need more community watch streets ---PAGE BREAK--- Beach Boulevard Specific Plan Community Outreach Report A. Help us better understand the challenges and/or opportunities of West Anaheim: • More parking for apartments and condos • More visible police • Lincoln/Beach corner • Improve Ball Rd • Declining neighborhoods • Eliminate street people • Safer • Increase presence of government in West Anaheim • Leave mobile home park alone • More community meetings • More police • More grocery stores • Clean up the area • Rezone certain areas • Neighborhood Watch Program • West Anaheim is declining each day • The problem is crime • There are 3 or more generations living in homes • Please eliminate the motels • Community Centers for seniors • Continue to encourage friendly neighbors • Bike lanes B. What brought you to West Anaheim? • A bigger home • A good sense of community • A place to live • Affordable housing • Beautiful residential neighborhoods • Childhood home • Clean, pride of ownership and community • Family • Family lived in the area • Good area to raise children • Inherited home • Home values • Large lot size • Marriage • New homes being built • Love the area and the amenities • Entertainment • Good code enforcement • Good schools • Heard Orange County is better than Los Angeles County • It was a growing area of then developed county • Mortgage certificate credit • Shops • A teaching contract • Business Some additional input received through the “Improvetheboulevard.com” website and during community meetings and survey comments include the following: Page 27 ---PAGE BREAK--- Beach Boulevard Specific Plan Community Outreach Report C. Are there any places in West Anaheim where sidewalks are needed? • Academy and surrounding streets • Along Eastside of Gilbert between Broadway and Orange • Along the south side of Crescent along the drainage basin between Brookhurst and Lincoln • Area between N Gilbert to Sequoia Av and Valdina to W La Palma Bl. • Ball between Beach and Western • Ball Rd between Magnolia • Ball Rd near Dale • Difficult for people with wheelchairs: More sidewalk ramps • Everywhere • Many sidewalks need to be improved because of uplifting by large trees in strip between street and sidewalk • Midwood Manor • None • On Ball road, west of Halliday before Western. People are always being forced to walk in the street • Orange Avenue between Euclid and Nutwood • Terinamar • Unincorporated neighborhood streets • We can’t keep up with the current sidewalks Page 28 ---PAGE BREAK--- Beach Boulevard Specific Plan Community Outreach Report D. Do any of the following create a negative impact in West Anaheim? Check all that apply. Page 29 ---PAGE BREAK--- Beach Boulevard Specific Plan Community Outreach Report Page 30 KEY THEMES AND PRIORITY INVESTMENT STRATEGIES The following pages provide an overview of the key themes and priority investment strategies based on the feedback recieved from the Community up to this point. The City will continue to work with the Community to refine the Community’s vision throughout the planning process. ---PAGE BREAK--- West Anaheim Open House Summary 147 ideas + proposed design solutions summarized in four priority investment strategies: * Investment strategies for Greater West Anaheim and the Beach Boulevard corridor share the same major themes but proposed solutions differ due to their respective scales. Focus on improving the health and welfare of our residents Provide viable mobility options for all 1 2 3 4 Create a stronger community identity through diverse placemaking strategies Invest resources into new, community-backed businesses ---PAGE BREAK--- STATISTICS Collaborative Brainstorm 47 Crime & Safety Improve the health and welfare of our residents 28 Mobility Options Provide viable mobility options for all 37 Character & Placemaking Create a stronger community identity through diverse placemaking strategies 35 Economy & Community Vitality Invest resources into new, community-backed businesses Emerging Key Themes West Anaheim www.crowdbrite.com 147 ideas: 4 Emerging Key Themes ---PAGE BREAK--- Crowdbrite Open House Summary Beach Boulevard Investment Strategies 1. Focus on improving the health and welfare of our residents A) Improve access to healthy and quality food options through supporting grocery stores like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods B) Increase homelessness support services and transitional shelter options C) Increase police presence in areas of high drug trafficking and prostitution 3. Invest resources into new, community- backed businesses A) Support development of more diverse restaurant and shopping options B) Regulate and improve conditions of the existing motels along the corridor C) Revitalize existing shopping centers 2. Create a stronger community identity through diverse placemaking strategies A) Invest in a community center, performing art center and senior centers B) Improve beautification along the corridor with treescape planning and routine maintenance C) Develop cohesive design standard for all businesses on Beach Blvd. 2 4. Provide viable mobility options for all A) Improve sidewalk safety and ADA accessibility on main corridors B) Improve aesthetics and utility of existing bus stops (ie: more shade and seating) C) Adjust signal frequency at key intersections Open House Station ---PAGE BREAK--- Crowdbrite Open House Summary 2. Create a stronger community identity through diverse placemaking strategies A) Invest in more community gardens and more public green space B) Use empty lots to develop athletic facilities and other community assets C) Develop a theme for West Anaheim businesses and buildings and design corresponding signage 3. Invest resources into new, community- backed businesses A) Develop an art and cultural center at Westgate to set the tone for future West Anaheim development B) Offer tax exemptions for new businesses C) Support the growth of locally-owned businesses Greater West Anaheim Investment Strategies 1. Focus on improving the health and welfare of our residents A) Improve quality of residential housing B) Provide more ADA accessible housing C) Increase homelessness support services and transitional shelter options in a city- wide effort 3 4. Provide viable mobility options for all A) Develop pedestrian and cyclist pathways along creek bed and other major thoroughfares B) Connect existing bike trails and fix cracked streets Open House Station