Under the lens of an unprecedented and rapidly evolving event like the COVID-10 pandemic, as we continue to move various special projects at the City forward it’s appropriate to take a step back to and consider if timing and process adjustments are appropriate. One of the most notable projects for the City currently is the community center feasibility study, and in light of the pandemic the Community Center Feasibility Task Force is expected to make some scheduling adjustments.

Early in the year, the focus was on an extensive round of community engagement activities. This included interviews, focus group meetings, one community meeting and more than a dozen community pop ups. A statistically valid survey was also fielded, obtaining more than 600 responses after the collection period was extended through mid-April.

At this time, an online version of the survey that will be open to all residents and a series of youth surveys are both on hold.

The Task Force is proceeding with its next meeting, which is scheduled for 7 pm, Wednesday, May 6. The meeting will be held remotely, utilizing Zoom. Residents will be able to log into the meeting by computer or phone. Click here (link to the agenda) to view the meeting agenda, as well as for details on how to join the meeting and how to submit a speaker slip if you wish to address the task force. Please note: speaker slips must be submitted a minimum of one hour prior to the meeting.

At this meeting, the consultant team will provide an overview of its findings to date. The task force is expected to discuss when to complete the final components of their community engagement plans and to revisit the study timeline. This will include the timing for completing Phase 1, and when to report to City Council on its findings and recommendations.

A primary focus of Phase 1 has been to seek answers to three questions: What kind of community center makes sense for UA? Do we want a community center? Do we need a community center? If the answer to the last two questions is “YES,” the study is expected to transition to a second phase that drills into details, such as what facilities to include, where a community center might be located, and the costs for construction, operations and ongoing maintenance.

If the consensus of the Task Force and of Council is to proceed with Phase 2 of the study, the timeline could be different than originally envisioned.

Full details of the study process and the work of the resident task force can be found by clicking here.