Revitalizing one Downtown at a Time
Otak recently won a “Best Project Study” award from the American Planning Association, Arizona Chapter for its work on the Redevelopment Plan Update for the Town of Florence, AZ. As prime consultant, Otak worked with the Town to develop a plan that would revitalize the historic downtown core to accommodate an increase in jobs and its first master planned community.
Situated along the banks of the Gila River 60 miles southeast of Phoenix, Florence is the state’s sixth oldest settlement. Aside from obvious improvements, much of the historic downtown core remains as it was in the 1880s. The plan, which was adopted by the Town in February 2009, includes goals and policies to increase the residential component of downtown, create a mixed-use district, reinforce compact building design, and strengthen and preserve the existing mixed-use character of the historic core.
Other goals and policies include strengthening walkable neighborhoods; preserving open space, farmland and natural beauty; and providing for a variety of transportation choices.
