Columbus 2028 Comprehensive Plan Update

1. Columbus 2028 Comprehensive Plan Update Transmittal Public Hearing November 28, 2007

2. Columbus Comprehensive Plan Why Update the Comprehensive Plan? • The Comprehensive Plan Will Help the City: • Make informed investment decisions • Promote a diversified/sustainable tax base • Protect open spaces and natural areas • Adjust to BRAC • Improve regional competitiveness/job growth

3. Columbus Comprehensive Plan The Schedule

4. Columbus Comprehensive Plan Community Assessment Purpose: A comprehensive review of the issues and opportunities that will affect the future growth of the community. Community Participation Program Purpose: A comprehensive guide to involve the community in the planning process. Community Agenda Purpose: Guidance for future decision-making to achieve the community’s vision.

5. Community Participation Program Outlines how the public will be involved Components include: • Stakeholder Interviews • Committees • Visioning Workshops • Strategic Framework Workshop • Open Houses • Project Website www.jjg.com/ccgplan/ • Public Hearings • Outreach tools • Community Survey

6. Public Outreach Efforts • Project website www.jjg.com/CCGPlan/ • News Articles/Press Releases • Posting drafts of materials on website • Visioning Workshops in Jan-Feb 2008 • Strategic Framework Workshop • Open Houses & Public Hearings • Visioning Community Survey online

7. Summary of Community Assessment

8. Population Trends • Current Population • 2005 Estimate of 185,799 • Historic Trends • Annual population growth below 0.5% between 1980 & 2000 • Fluctuations due to military deployments • Relatively New Trends • Slow metro growth, losses in City • Suburbanization

9. Population Projections Alternative Population Scenarios

10. Population Projections Assumptions for Scenario 2 (BRAC, AFLAC and Kia impacts included in both.) • Some Ft. Benning jobs have already arrived. • 60% of military households will choose to live in Columbus. • Some new jobs at Ft. Benning will be filled by local labor force. • Some military spouses /teens will work on base. • Military /contractor household size will mirror national trends.

11. Population: Issues and Opportunities • Anticipated Population Growth • Shift from core areas to suburbs • Decreasing household size downtown • Preferences for modern housing in suburbs • Growing Senior Population • By 2028, >25% of population will be over age of 65 • 6,000-7,000 additional school-aged

12. Economic Development Overview • Metro area has $8.5 billion economy • Income increasing, outpacing inflation • Muscogee County accounts for: • >70% metro area jobs • Almost 80% of private sector area jobs • Major employers: federal government, state and local government, health care and social services, retail trade, and hospitality sector

13. Employment from Known Expansions 2010 to 2016 Timeframe (60% to Columbus) Source: Columbus State University, T. Abbott Turner College of Business, September 2007 calculations, using RIMS II multipliers

14. Economic Development Issues and Opportunities • Major population and employment growth • Spin-off growth associated with area expansions • Loss of young professionals • Redevelopment of older areas of town • Transportation infrastructure • Economic Development Incentives

15. Housing Overview • 81,008 estimated units in 2005 (U.S. Census) • 10,082 vacant units (12.4%) • 7,665 new permits (2000-2006) • 2000 Tenure and Household Size: • 66% owner-occupied, with avg. household size of 2.58 • 34% renter-occupied, with avg. household size of 2.48 • 30% of households are cost-burdened

16. Projected Housing Demand Based on Scenario 2 Population Projections, by 2028: • There will be an anticipated need for 97,941 units • Approximately 16,000 additional housing units will be needed in 20 years

17. Natural Resources Population: Overview • There has been significant development in floodplains since the 1980s • 2000 Columbus Greenspace Report needs updating. • Scenic areas in the northern section of the county may be threatened by development. • Standing Boy Creek State Park and expanded Riverwalk will become great benefits to the county as funding is provided.

18. Cultural Resources Historic Preservation • Six new districts need design guidelines • Currently no local preservation incentives Tourism: • Columbus should distinguish itself from other cities • Downtown development and enhanced historic interpretation and promotion could increase tourism to the exceptional historic districts.

19. Community Facilities and Services Financing: • Many general government departments have had significant staffing cuts; many facilities are in disrepair and need maintenance • Property tax freeze and failure of TAD depresses long-term financial potential. • Re-alignment of service districts and more use of enterprise funds are possibilities to redirect funding. Water Management: • CWW could become a regional service provider • Stormwater system is in need of maintenance, repair, and replacement

20. Community Facilities and Services • Increasing Demand For: • Public Schools: BRAC led to new enrollment projections and facilities plans – re-alignment/monitoring needed. • Park and Recreation Services: Additional facilities and staff for BRAC and active seniors • Public Safety: 136 new police officers needed to match other cities and for BRAC; park rangers needed to increase safety at parks and prevent vandalism • Corrections Facilities: Jail is in need of expansion; already over capacity

21. Transportation • Transportation Growth: • Vehicle Miles Traveled projected to increase by 40% by 2030; many studies needed for congested roads • Regional commuting patterns impact traffic congestion. • Traffic Safety: • Need to address deficient/obsolete bridges & RR crossings • Need more roadway/rail grade separations • East-west connections over river for increased connection between Columbus and Phenix City

22. Transportation • Public Transportation: • Plan for new demand, especially from seniors • Compare fixed routes with projected future demands to assess efficiencies • Need to keep up with rapid suburban growth • Alternative Transportation: • Develop downtown bike storage facilities • Develop additional multi-use trails

23. Transportation • Corridor Studies Should Include: • 2nd/5th Avenue, Manchester Expressway, and J.R. Allen Parkway/2nd Avenue (safety issues) • Norfolk Southern Rail Yard: • Relocation study currently initiated by Chamber of Commerce • Would reduce congestion and improve safety, especially on Ninth Street

24. Intergovernmental Coordination • Regional Roles of Columbus: • Employment Center • Health and Education Center • Culture and Tourism Center • Water, Sewer, Fiber-optics hub • Regional Demands on Columbus • Daytime Population 10% greater than Nighttime • Transportation/ Infrastructure • Public Safety

25. Intergovernmental Coordination • Important Partnerships: • The Valley Partnership: 7 counties plus Columbus Chamber of Commerce working for economic development • Fort Benning Futures Partnership: 6 GA counties and 3 AL counties strategizing for Fort’s economic development potential • Chattahoochee Valley Schools Project: 7 school districts asking DOE for “absolute preference” in funding

26. Intergovernmental Coordination • Cooperation in Columbus: • Groups like Midtown Columbus, Inc. and Columbus South have developed visions for their own neighborhoods • CWW oversees sewer system on Ft. Benning, and works with other regional water systems to protect supplies • CCG and Phenix City unite over transportation planning issues

27. Land Use: Issues and Opportunities • The Major Issues: • Decreasing Supply of Developable Land • Noise Pollution in Northeast Panhandle • Lack of Buffers Between Land Uses • The Opportunities: • Abandoned Industrial Buildings for Re-use • Vacant Infill Development Sites in Historic Areas

28. Existing Land Use

29. Existing Land Use

30. Character Areas • What Are They? • Have unique characteristics to be preserved/enhanced • Have potential to evolve into unique area • Require special attention due to unique development issues (i.e. rapid development, economic decline) • Character Areas are meant to be a Starting Pointfor further visioning • Refined in public/stakeholder involvement process

31. Character Areas in Columbus • Downtown Area • Traditional Neighborhood • Commercial Corridor • Established Residential Area • Rural/Residential Developing • Suburban Area • Regional Activity Center • Industrial Area • Conservation/Recreation Area

32. Character Areas in Columbus

33. Next Steps • Transmittal of Community Participation Program and Community Assessment • Begin Community Agenda • Six Visioning Workshops (tentative dates) - January 21 - January 29 - January 22 - February 11 - January 28 - February 12

34. Large-Scale Development Impact Study Questions/ Comments?