City of Ellensburg Visitor Center

Home Browse Search

4.2 Expanding Success 4.2.1 Begin to look at downtown as a broader City Center Figure 9 on the following page illustrates opportunity sites in a much broader context than the downtown core plan shown in Figure 8.The sites are divided into sixteen sites labeled as Level 1 opportunity sites and ten sites labeled as Level 2 opportunity sites.The levels are to provide some idea as to which sites are more likely to develop in the shorter versus longer term.It in no way implies that a Level 2 opportunity might not rise up to be a very early development project. The sites are also marked as to whether they are vacant land or lots,are underutilized properties where the existing use may not be consistent with a denser and developed downtown,or are properties where the ground floor may be occupied and the upper floor is vacant.When examined as a whole,downtown Ellensburg can be viewed to extend to University Way to the north and across Water Street to the west.The City should adjust the zoning for portions of Water Street to expand the downtown core. 4.2.2 Partner with existing and new investors on underutilized sites identified by priority in the plan. The single best way to explore redevelopment of underutilized sites and buildings is to communicate with property owners.Many owners simply do not know that their properties have a higher or better use or may not know where to begin on considering renovation,while others may have no interest whatsoever in pursuing investment at this time. The Downtowners can continue to meet and work with property owners on a case-by-case basis by answering questions,contemplating partnerships,and offering incentives to advance redevelopment.Some communities have contemplated creating incentives that treat downtown buildings as a community would any other infrastructure opportunity.In so doing,communities have implemented ADA grant programs to bring buildings up to code,created shared sprinkler systems that allow for a number of buildings to enjoy the benefit of this fire suppression code compliance or installed shared elevator space for upper floors funded through public or quasi- public entities.Some uses may be ideally suited for property trades so that higher and better uses can come into downtown Ellensburg.Many of these opportunities are referring to property trades along Water Street where there are uses that should be off the street and in industrial areas of Ellensburg.The Kittitas Reclamation District,the food bank,and storage lots would probably benefit from locations that are more efficient. 31