Since 2017, streetsounds.net has been dedicated to fostering an inclusive dialogue to shape the future of the Mill Street neighborhood. We believe that incorporating diverse voices from residents, business owners, employees, and stakeholders is crucial for effective community development. Here’s a look at the initiatives undertaken to ensure everyone’s perspective is heard and considered in the ongoing Mill Street planning process.
Mill Street Community Meeting: Setting Goals Together
On Wednesday, March 21, 2018, approximately 70 community members gathered at the Hillside Community Center to actively participate in shaping the future of the historic Mill Street area. This Mill Street Community Meeting provided a platform for residents, property owners, and business operators to voice their priorities and interests.
The planning team presented progress on past initiatives, current neighborhood conditions, and community feedback collected to date. Attendees utilized real-time keypad polling to vote on key themes and proposed scenarios, ensuring immediate input on critical decisions. The presentation, including polling results, is available for download, offering full transparency and access to meeting outcomes. Interactive idea boards and area maps further facilitated discussions and allowed for direct engagement with the presented themes. Feedback from these sessions is being incorporated to refine plans, demonstrating our commitment to responsive and adaptive planning. For specific inquiries or comments, Catherine Duarte at [email protected] remains the point of contact.
Download Meeting Maps and Boards
Listening Sessions: Understanding Key Perspectives on Mill Street
From November 14-17, 2017, we initiated our community engagement with a series of six focused listening sessions across various locations. These sessions convened over 70 subject matter experts and community representatives, ensuring a broad spectrum of viewpoints were considered from the outset.
The Mill Street Listening Sessions were designed to capture current neighborhood conditions and gain an initial understanding of stakeholder concerns and opportunities within specific areas. Key topics addressed included:
- Historic Preservation of Mill Street
- Neighborhood Safety encompassing Street Crossings and Crime on Mill Street
- Economic Development and Support for Local Businesses along Mill Street
- Enhancement of Parks, Trails, and Open Spaces in the Mill Street area
- Affordable Housing Initiatives within the Mill Street neighborhood
- Arts and Culture development within Mill Street
Community Events: Celebrating and Planning for Mill Street
To further engage residents in a more informal setting, a Mill Street Neighborhood Holiday Party was held on Saturday, December 9, from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Springs Rescue Mission. This event provided a relaxed environment for residents to meet with City representatives and the consultant team, share their visions for the Mill Street plan, and sign up for ongoing involvement opportunities. Holiday Caroling events on December 12 and 13, 2017, also served as community outreach efforts, blending festive activities with project awareness.
Neighborhood Surveys and Stakeholder Interviews: Gathering Broad Input on Mill Street
To ensure comprehensive data collection, neighborhood surveys were distributed from December 13, 2017, to January 18, 2018. These surveys targeted residents and businesses within the Mill Street project area, aiming to quantify priorities for neighborhood improvements directly from those who live and work there. Complementing these surveys, stakeholder interviews are being conducted on an ongoing basis to gather in-depth qualitative data and insights from key individuals and organizations invested in the future of Mill Street. These interviews provide a deeper understanding of specific needs and perspectives, further enriching the planning process.
