The City of Montgomery announces receipt of the DRAFT Downtown Montgomery Plan. More than sixteen planning, design and urban economics professionals led by the town planning firm of Dover, Kohl & Partners combined efforts with the city planning staff, department heads and hundreds of Montgomery citizens in September 2006 to create a plan for the revitalization of Downtown Montgomery. The planning area is bounded by I-65 to the west, Jackson Street to the east, the Alabama River to the north and I-85 to the south.

The planning process began with a review of all previous planning efforts including several months of evaluation of the study area itself. Drawing inspiration and enlightenment from the city’s rich history and unique geography, planning process participants produced a plan that envisions a return to s more traditional urban form in a contemporary concept. To produce the vision, the plan recommends five basic prescriptions for success.

1. Preserve, Restore and Reuse Historic Buildings and Addresses
2. Foster an Improved Environment for Private Investment and Development
3. Expand Downtown Green and Civic Spaces
4. Mix Land Uses, Building Types, and Housing Options
5. Promote a Better Balance of Transportation Options and Designs

The plan recommends projects that can be initiated or completed immediately including:

1. Complete Court Square Plaza
2. Complete Dexter Avenue Streetscape
3. Restore Historic Facades
4. Formalize the Selma to Montgomery Trail
5. Convert Most One-Way Streets to Two-Way
6. Provide Shared Parking
7. Redevelop Trenholm Court
8. Redevelop Five Points as a Demonstration Area
9. Adopt the SmartCode Transect Map for Downtown
10. Adopt the International Existing Building Code

The plan also elaborates projects that can be completed “In Our Generation” including restoration of the Lightning Route, creation of an Arts District and the continuation of neighborhood planning in addition to seven others. In the long term recommendations include reclaiming industrial areas to the north of downtown and improving civic spaces.