Uptown Plan - Request for Proposals (click title to access)
The City of Westerville has requested proposals from qualified, inter-disciplinary planning firms or teams who have experience in city planning, community and urban design, land use planning, visioning, citizen participation methods and quality presentation graphics. The Plan will identify current and future needs as well as evaluate and guide future land uses, development, transportation, urban design and physical planning-related decisions within the Uptown District. The Uptown Westerville Comprehensive Plan will serve as the policy element within the Uptown District. Below are links to the Supporting Documents listed in Appendix A of the RFP.
a) 2011 Uptown Market Analysis & Business Development Strategy (by Randall Gross/Development Economics)
b) History of Uptown Westerville – March 2012
c) Uptown Westerville Design Guidelines
d) 1974 Uptown Plan (by Nitschke-Godwin-Bohm)
e) 2012 Uptown Façade Improvement Program brochure
f) Olde Westerville Special Overlay District Standards
g) 2002 Uptown Signage/Identity/Wayfinding Plan (by Degnen)
h) 2010 Uptown Westerville Information Kiosk Program
i) 1991 Historic Building Survey & Evaluation – Westerville Architectural Review District (by Judith B. Williams)
j) Community Reinvestment Area Information
Uptown Façade Improvement Program (PILOT)
The Uptown Façade Improvement Program (Pilot) provides matching grants to property owners or tenants, resulting in a comprehensive restoration or substantial improvement to the Uptown building façade. The intent is to fund the pilot program $100,000 per year for a two year period through annual appropriations, starting in 2012. The funds will be transferred to the Westerville Industry and Commerce Corporation (WICC) to administer the program. If funding is approved, City Staff will begin marketing the program in early 2012 to solicit projects by spring. The framework is similar to what we discussed previously with Council being that applicants are eligible for reimbursement up to 50% of the total cost of the façade improvement with a maximum cap of $15,000 contingent upon WICC approval. Below are updates to the guidelines from comments received by City Council, Uptown Review Board, and WICC. For more information, contact Bassem Bitar (901-6658) or Jason Bechtold (901-6403).
Program Description Program Brochure Program Application
Uptown Review Board
The Uptown Review Board (URB) is a seven-member board the responsibilty of which is to protect and promote the historic character of the Uptown District. To this end the Board is responsible for reviewing changes including new construction, building additions, facade renovations and changes to exterior materials, window and door replacements, signage, awnings, paint color changes, building demolition, and landscaping elements (e.g. fences, walls, walkways, etc.). Some minor changes may be approved adminstratively. The Board meets the first Thursday of each month at 21 S. State Street in City Council Chambers. To learn more, click here to visit the URB page.