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4.3 Connecting the Community <br />4.3,J Implement creatm place-making <br />Creative place-making works with comnum.ity members to bring together arts and culture in <br />ways that connect physical space to needs in the community. The goal of this effort would be to <br />foster broader exploration of downtown by visitors while showcasing the talent of a local artist. <br />Ellensburg should explore working with an organization like the nonprofit Pomegranate Center <br />based in Seattle that explores creative place-ma.k.it,g in comm.1D1ities as a partnership effort. <br />Creative place-making projects could be incorporated into the town center as well as create <br />physical connections between CWU and downtown Ellensburg. Today, key stakeholders are <br />working on an exciting program to connect through a public art program to create "markers" that <br />will be located in a variety of locations to explore between downtown and campus. The concept, <br />dubbed "Project Brilliance," will implement reflector art pieces from the late Dick Elliott, a <br />renowned local artist to be placed in strategic locations throughout downtown Ellensburg to <br />ultimately connect the Old Heat Plant, slated to become a visitor's center for Central Washington <br />University, with the core of downtown. Figure 11 on the following page illustrates the potential <br />locations for these installations on key comers throughout the larger downtown area. <br />4.3.2 Continue partnashlp with Central Washington U11ivenlty to bring lnvestlMnt Into tit~ <br />con of downtown ova time whether thro•g"/t programs or capital proj«:ts. <br />Central Washington University is a strong partner with the Ellensburg community, and its <br />students represent a significant portion of the customer base in downtown. Over time, the <br />University and the Downtowners should seek partnership efforts 1ha.t may bring programs or <br />even capital projects irtto the downtown. Some of the ideas expressed in other recommendations <br />ofthis report could be potential partnership projects. <br />4.3.3 Implement bicycle friendly streets as identified In prior plans. <br />Ellensburg has worked on bicycle friend]y streets and the downt9wn is very navigable by <br />bicycle. The community should continue to implement these important recommendations and <br />will implement new bicycle racks that have been designed in similar style to existing quality <br />downtown street furniture. · <br />4.3.4 Implement clrclllator transportation from CWU through downtown to "/totels. <br />Central Transit already operates a fixed route system in Ellensburg. Over time; the possibility of <br />a circulator that connects the local hotels through ·downtown and onto Central Washington's <br />campus would be an excellent way of creating a regular service for visitors to the community. <br />The potential route is shown in Figure 11 below. <br />35