Prescott Sixth Street Redevelopment Project Description The Ecosa students have been asked by a council member of the City of Prescott to create a vibrant new "urban" component in the downtown area of Prescott that will enhance the visitor experience and bring a new economic hub into the core of the city. In broad terms, the client's vision is: To create an area near downtown Prescott that will act as a hub for a variety of outdoor activities including biking and hiking, and help develop awareness of the outdoor opportunities available in Prescott. To enhance Granite creek that bisects the site and explore possibilities for an interface between commercial, housing, retail spaces, and nature. To create a walkable neigborhood with multi-modal transit throughout. To explore planning strategies to create a lively area that can complement the downtown and bring additional revenues into the city. To anchor the development with small retail stores and avoid any “big box” retail in the area. The client hopes to create an identifiable neighborhood that potentially includes a main street/corridor for mixed uses, including small retail with residential and/or commercial above. The City of Prescott is repositioning its marketing program to emphasize the natural resources in the area, such as walking and biking trails and the natural beauty surrounding the area. This redevelopment project should tie into this aspect of Prescott and make the Granite Creek area the hub for biking and walking to other areas in the trail system. Site Assessment Located in the heart of Prescott, Arizona, this project is approximately 140 acres in extent. It is bounded by North Montezuma Street on the West, the Yavapai tribal lands on the East and East Merritt Street on the North. The southern boundary is the property line of businesses that are accessed from EZ Street or from North Mount Vernon Street. The Albertsons shopping center and the Springhill suites define the South East corner. Currently most of this area is industrial and many of these buildings are vacant and the land in the area is not well utilized. The existing infrastucture of roads was to be maintained, however, simple modifications can be made such as median strips, sidewalks and bike lanes. Granite creek bisects this area and is a highly under utilized resource. There is a great opportunity to enhance this whole redevelopment by expanding and acknowledging the creek as a superb resource for any redevelopment. Culture, Environment, Economy Students researched into both the social, economic and natural systems of the area. Students developed an understanding of the whole area, not only its history and the current human impact, but also the climate flows; air, water, vegetation, fauna, people, and traffic in all parts of this area. To learn more about this project, click here: http://www.ecosainstitute.org/projects/prescott-sixth-street-redevelopment.html

1. Prescott, AZ
Research Presentation
Sixth Street District Redevelopment
Ecosa Summer 2010

2. Presentation Layout
•Project Overview
•Economic
oEconomic Overview
oMixed-use developments
oTourism Opportunities
•Social
oPublic Spaces
oTransportation
oHousing
oCommunity Integration
•Ecological
oIntroduction to Prescott (History and Ecology)
oRainwater Harvesting
oEarthworks

3. Project Overview: 6th Street
District
•Objective: Redesign the
current industrial zone into
an extension of downtown
through the
implementation of a
mixed-use development
•Goals:
oEconomic
oSocial
oEcological

4. Economic
•Current Economics of Prescott, AZ
•Business and Economic components of mixed
developments
•Opportunities and Strategies for the district.

5. Economic Overview
Estimated median household
income in 2008: $42,457
(it was $35,446 in 2000)
Prescott: $42,457
Arizona: $50,958
Estimated per capita income in 2008:
$28,759
Estimated median house or
condo value in 2008: $325,573
(it was $148,600 in 2000)
Prescott: $325,573
Arizona: $229,200

6. The
Housing
Bubble
“Unaffordable
housing is a new
problem in
Arizona.”
The Challenge:
In 1999, median-
income families in
most
Arizona cities could
spend 25 percent of
their incomes and pay
it off in11 to 13 years.
Today it would take 20
to 33 years.

7. July 1, 2009 Population estimate of 43,573
a 28% increase since the 2000 Census.
Household By Income Data
2008 estimate 2000 census
Over $250,000 1.62% 1.86% ↓
$150,000 to $249,999 2.50% 0.98% ↑
$100,000 to $149,999 8.25% 5.16% ↑
$75,000 to $99,999 9.42% 7.30% ↑
$50,000 to $74,999 18.39% 16.48% ↑
$35,000 to $49,999 18.74% 18.92% ↓
Overall Revenue Increase for the City by
Household (Income) Equals
Increased Sales Tax Revenue and Funding
from Utilities, Tourism & Recreation
Population by age (2008)
5 to 9 years 5.17%
10 to 14 years 5.43% ↑
15 to 19 years 5.85% ↑
20 to 24 years 7.89% ↑
25 to 34 years 4.91% ↓
45 to 54 years 12.30% ↑
55 to 59 years 6.39% ↓
60 to 64 years 6.19% ↓
65 to 74 years 11.65% ↑
Median Household
Income: $35,446
Arizona: $40,558

8. Labor Force Data
The labor force has
grown from 33,938
(2000) to ($43280 (2008)
An Increase of 9,342
people (almost 22%)
Civilian Labor Force has
grown by 23%
or 4363 workers
# of Unemployed people
has increased by 46% or
436 workers
Unemployment Rate has
grown 5.0%
The number of jobs
available does not
meet the current
demand for jobs
Labor & Migration
Indicators
These employers supply 37%
of Prescott's Jobs
(including Prescott College)

9. Population Restaurants/Bar
s
Building Permits
Taxable Sales
Transient Occupancy

10. Existing Assets
oAccommodations
(rooms) 1.800
oCampgrounds (Private) 3
oHouses of Worship 74
oCity Playgrounds 6
oCity Parks 10
oYMCA 1
oPublic Golf Courses 4
oLibraries 5
oMovie Theaters (screens) 24
oOpera House 1
oNational Forest Campgrounds 7
oZoo 1
oRestaurants 98
oShopping Malls 2
oShopping Centers 6
oTheatrical Companies 3
oArt Organizations 2
oMuseums 3

11. Encourage retention of tourists with
high disposable incomes
Create access to future investors
Create opportunities for revenue
diversification
Create potential for an increased
number of jobs
Create a natural inflow of tourists
and job seekers into the space
Increase taxable revenue potential
Long term potential to alleviate
traffic congestion & increase revenue
streams from young & active
homeowners and consumers
Mitigate Risk for investors for their
ROI.

12. The objective would be to keep money IN
the City of Prescott by creating more
community connectivity.

13. 25 to 34 years 4.91% ↓ 45 to 54 years 12.30% ↑
Anatomy of a Young Urban
ProfessionalExplaining a Crucial Gap
The top cities
Washington D.C.
Seattle
NYC
Portland
Austin
San Francisco
Atlanta
Boston
LA
Minneapolis
Philadelphia

14. Economics of Mixed-Developments
A mixed use development is a
complex investment, some believe
its a more resilient investment
because it diversifies risk, another
theory is that it is more risky because
of uncertainty.
•most mixed use development's
success is relient upon a strong
local economy
•if the local economy isnt that
strong, the success is dependent
upon a focus on ecotourism or
high income attractors
(housing, shopping, etc)

15. Business Component of Mixed-
Developments
A walkable community is dependent
upon supplying the primary needs
of its citizens. The following
businesses are examples of places
you might need nearby:
•affordable, healthy grocery
stores
•trendy restaurants (ie. the
Raven)
•coffee shops
•convenience stores
•community centers
•health care
•beauty parlors
•museums, culture centers
•hardware stores
•transportation centers (ie. bike

17. Eco Tourism Opportunities
for Prescott's Outdoor Enthusiasts
•Rock Climbing
•Mountain Biking
•Adventure Tours/ Hiking Trails
•Arts, Culture & History
•Canyoneering
•Daily/ Weekend Getaways (i.e.
Eco Hostels, Eco Lodges or Bed
& Breakfasts)
•Eco Adventures (i.e. hiking/
trekking, birdwatching, wildlife
viewing tours)
•Food & Wine
•Learning Vacations
•Paddling
•Resorts Spas & Retreats

18. Precedence for Economic Revitalization Strategies

19. SOCIAL
•Public Spaces
•Transportation
•Housing

20. Public Space
Bringing people into the Picture

21. Why Create Public Space?
•Support Local Economies
•Attract Business Investments
•Attract Tourism
•Provide Cultural Opportunities
•Reduce Crime
•Improve Pedestrian Safety
•Increase Use of Public Transit
•Improve Public Health
•Improve the Environment

22. Rethinking Public Space
•The 4 Keys to a
Successful Public Space
oAccess and Linkages
oComfort and Image
oUses and Activities
oSociability
-Project for Public Spaces

23. Place Making
The power of 10:
―A great destination has at least 10 places within
it, each with 10 things to do.‖

24. Existing Public Space: Granite
Creek Park
Utilized Public Space

25. Existing Public Space: Shopping,
Streets, Parking Lots
Unused Public Space

26. Observation
•Space around park is not welcoming and
does not lead one into the park; the park is
not presented as an asset.
•Not much pedestrian habitat, mainly built
for automobiles.

27. Gathering on the Waterfront:
Reno, Nevada•Encourages river
recreation, free community
events and use of outdoor
space.
•Flexibility makes it work:
oA variety of events are
held here for the public
and the park itself is a
natural aesthetic
connection to the
environment in a little
city.

28. Public Market: Pike
Place, Seattle, WA
•Small
shops, restaurants, co
mmercial areas.
•Community effort is
what makes it a
success:
oRun by
constituency
membership that
handles Market’s
services to low

29. Street as Corridors:
Kungsportsavenyn
Göteborg, Sweden•Neighborhood shops, a trolley
corridor, bike lanes, parking
drop-off areas, mid-sidewalk
display cases, bike
racks, benches, plantings, sidew
alk paving, street trees, public
art.
•Flexibility makes it a success:
oEvery two blocks the
functions of the space
change, providing a variation
of things in one space.

30. Rethinking Intersections: Portland,
Oregon
•Community Art.
•Encourages dual pedestrian
and vehicle space.
•Strengthens community
•Community Initiation of the
Project makes it work:
oProject was brought about
by residents of the
area, who were seeking a
closer community of
people; a place where
they could meet their
neighbors.

31. Community Involvement
•What do people like and not like about the
place? What is their vision?
•Creates a sense of ownership and pride
in the place
•Identify partners for the place-
making process.
•Asset mapping. Documenting and
identifying connections between assets.

32. Transportation
Transportation

33. Walkable Streets
•Many European cities were designed with
walkable streets.

34. Many American cities are designed around traffic

35. Multi use streets
Multi use streets can serve to slow car traffic and encourage pedestrian traffic

36. Community Pathways
Networks of pathways and trails away from roads

37. Precedents
Teton county Wyoming uses community pathways to connect
neighboring towns, making pedestrian traffic safer and helping to
reduce daily commuter car traffic.

39. Small Scale Transit

40. Built Environment
History, Ethics, Precedents

41. History of Prescott Architecture
•1880s-simple architecture
•Late 1890s to early 1900s--beginning of the "Victorian
Melange" style architecture
•1910 to 1930s-- Bungalow style residential buildings
Source: http://www.cityofprescott.net/history/historic.php

42. History of Prescott Planning
•Grid-patterned plan
•Block at center for
courthouse
•East side of plaza set
aside for higher class
homes
•Creek banks and low
irregular terraces into
mountains left for poorer
residents

43. Current Housing at a Glance
•Mix of historic
Victorians, apartment
complexes, and
newer single-family
homes

44. Spotlight on 6th Street District
•Mostly businesses that sell
industrial/building materials.
Most are single story buildings
made of corrugated metal
•Personal service businesses
•Public service buildings
•Lower middle-class neighborhood
with single story homes

45. Ethics to consider in redevelopment
•Those moved against
their will can suffer from:
oloss of land assets
oloss of jobs
omarginalization
oloss of access to
common property
odisruption of social
networks
Source: Drydyk, Jay. Ethical Dilemmas of Development-Induced Displacement. Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, 2007.

46. Development without Displacement
•
•Ensure low-income
residents participate
in planning process
•Intentional planning and
policy-making with
meaningful community
engagement
•Maintaining
affordability
essential to
reduce sprawl

47. Case Study:
Civano, AZ
Ecologically-sensitive
neighborhood
development

48. Overview
•attract businesses engaged in solar power and other
renewable resource fields.
•reduce auto use and air pollution
•to create a more livable area with a cooler microclimate
•to encourage social interaction and allow for
conservation of large natural areas for wildlife
•to allow residents to shop, work, and play near
home, reducing auto dependence

49. Community
Development
Civano
Preserving
the Ecosystem
Sustainable
Building
Economic De
velopment

50. Case Study:
Charter Quay, UK
Multi-use Plaza

51. •used to be derelict industrial site
•riverside development, high-
density, mixed-use
accommodation
•completely pedestrian-centered
•created new jobs and housing
•modern architectural style with
traditional building materials
•preserve, enhance, and showcase
nature of river

52. Case Study:
Spike Island, UK
Cultural Center

53. •
•former factory transformed
into community art space
•70 studios, exhibition
gallery, cafe, business
space, facilities for art
students
•focus on contact and
networking
•some public funding, most
turnover from rent
•balance between
maintaining contact and
security

54. ECOLOGICAL
•Introduction to Prescott (History and Ecology)
•Rainwater harvesting
•Earthworks
•Landscaping
•Watershed Restoration
•Food Systems

55. Prescott, Arizona
History and Ecology

56. Yavapai People History
•From San Francisco Peaks to Granite
Mountain
•hunting and gathering
•Mobile season home: 'whas'--brush
huts
•More permanent home: 'whambunias'--
dome-shaped thatched houses
reinforced with mud plaster and
covered with skins
•Search for gold was catalyst for bad
relations between tribe/anglos
•Forced into reservation (1873)

57. History of Land Use
•Gold, Silver and Copper mining
•Ranching and herding
•6th street history:
oRailroad Depot
oMechanics Lots
oTimber Lots
oevidence of chinese gardens

58. Ecology
•Elevation: 5,368 feet
•Average Annual Precipitation:
12’’/yr
•Climate zone: 6a (can reach a
low of -10 degrees fahrenheit)
•Ponderosa Pine/Juniper-
Scrub Live Oak Transition
Zone
•Ecological Themes—Survival
oPatterns in form:
 small leaves
 waxy, resin leaves
 CAM, C4
 spiny, woody barks
 huge root systems
 rapid growth spurts
 short growing seasons

59. WATER
―Don’t pray for rain, if you can’t take care
of what you get‖—R.E. Dixon (1937)

60. The Water Crisis
•Our Current Situation
oWe are depleting our aquifers and
rivers
 Comparable to our current
economic crisis: spending
more than we have, going into
debt
o We are in a water crisis!
―The crisis of our diminishing water
resources is just as severe (if less
obviously immediate) as any wartime
crisis we have ever faced. Our survival
is just as much at stake as it was at the
time of Pearl Harbor, or the Argonne, or
Gettysburg, or Saratoga‖ –Jim
Wright, US Representative, The Water
Famine, 1966

61. Why is Rainwater so Important?
•Rainwater is our primary
source of freshwater in
the hydrologic system, it
replenishes our aquifers
and creeks
•We currently drain it
away from our cities with
the use of
hardscapes, creating:
oFlooding
oErosion
oSoil Degradation
BENEFITS OF RAIN:
•naturally pure
•natural fertilzer
•lowest salt content
•its FREE!

62. Our Current Landscape: The Wasteful
Path to Scarcity
•In order to infiltrate
rainwater, we must change the
way we shape the land--this
can be achieved through
earthworks
A landscape on the wasteful path to scarcity.
Rain, runoff, and topsoil are quickly drained off
the landscape to the street where the
sediment-laden water contributes to
downstream flooding and contamination. The
landscape is dependent upon municipal/well

63. Earthworks:The Path to Abundance
A landscape on the stewardship path to
abundance. Rain, runoff, leaf drop, and topsoil
are harvested and utilized within the landscape
contributing to flood control and enhanced water
quality. The system is self-irrigating with rain and
self-fertilizing with harvested organic matter.
The same site with
earthworks
implemented

64. Bioswales
Planters that absorb flash flood run-
off, filter and clean it, and then gradually
infiltrate the water back into the water
table. Provides:
•Shade and lower temperatures for the
street
•Reduces the amount of water the city
drainage has to work with

65. Bioswales for parking lots
Bioswales for traffic calming
Hardscape only
where absolutely
necessary

66. Riparian Restoration:
A Design Component

67. Precedents

68. What is the hook for incorporating riparian
restoration and what are the potential
beneficial outcomes?
What can we learn from the following
precedents? (i.e.
approaches, values, ethics)

69. Control Erosion and Reduce Flood Damage
Who/Where: The Urban Creeks Council in San Francisco California
What they did:
•innovative bank
stabilization projects
•innovative channel
design to increase
flood capacities
•culvert
removal correct
storm-water
management
problems
•expanded flood plain
by acquiring land
along river. http://www.urbancreeks.org/UCC%20Photos/TILDE

70. Enhance the Neighborhood and Recreate a
Sense of Community
Who/Where: Friends of
the LA River
What they did:
Incorporated the following
into their master plan:
•Create a Continuous
River Greenway
•Connect
Neighborhoods to the
River
•Enhance River
Identity
•Incorporate Public Art
http://www.theriverproje
ct.org/valleyheart.html

71. Attract Tourism and Revitalize Downtown
EconomyWho/Where: Paseo Del Rio
Association in San Antonio
Texas
What they did:
•The river was turned into a
main feature of the
downtown.
•Shops, Restaurants, and
Hotels face the river.
•Huge Success.
•80% of population see it as a
benefit to the city.
•96% see it as a tourist
attraction.

72. Preserve History and Cultures
Who/Where: Friends of Deer Creek, Nevada City, CA
What they did:
Collaborated with the Tsi-Akim Maidu Tribe on projects including the Deer Creek
Restoration Plan, the Deer Creek Tribute Trail and Restoration Project, and on many
local festivals and ceremonies.
(http://www.friendsofdeercreek.org/)

73. Other Benefits
•
•Reclaim Ecological Values (City of Berkley California)
•Restore Water Quality (Lake Tahoe, California)
•Create Trails and Greenways (Raleigh, North Carolina)
•Create Jobs, Job Training (Snohomish County, WA)
•Create Educational Opportunities (Snohomish County, WA)
(http://www.friendsofdeercreek.org/)

74. Riparian Revitalization and Restoration in Prescott
Values:
•Natural open spaces.
•Neighborhood scenic areas that provide
places where we can connect to
creeks, forests, etc.
•The historic, economic, and cultural
benefits that open spaces offer
communities.
•Trails that provide
recreation, transportation, and connection
to the greater community and environment
Mission to
promote, protect and
celebrate the
ecological integrity of
riparian systems and
associated wetlands in
the central Arizona
watersheds through
conservation, restorati
on and education.

75. Current/Past Projects in Prescott
•Watson Woods Riparian Restoration Project (expanding
riparian corridor to improve processes of functions)
•CreekWatch Network (Creek Observation Guide, Creek
Identification Signs, CreekWatch Groups)
•Watershed Monitoring (water quality)
•Greenways (The Greenways Committee includes Prescott
Alternative Transportation, Prescott Creeks Preservation
Association, the local Audubon chapter, City of Prescott, and
other organizations- Goal=3.5 miles of Greenway Trails)
•Community Outreach (Creekside Almanac
Newsletter, Fundraising, Events, Creek Cleanup)

77. Food Systems:

78. •
•Growing
•Harvesting
•Processing
•Packaging
•Transporting
•Marketing
•Consuming
•Disposing
What is a food system?

79. Characteristics of Modern Industrial Food System:
•High fossil fuel input
•Relies heavily on technology and machinery
•Monocrops/Mass Production
•High use of chemicals (over 5 billion pounds of pesticides used globally
annually)
•Linear system produces mass amounts of pollution
•Food travels great distances (average american meal travels about 1500 miles)

80. What is an alternative to this unsustainable food
system?
Local + Community + Organic + Polycultures = Sustainable Food Systems

81. The 4 Main Strands of Sustainable Food Systems:
Food Security:
Addresses food
access within a
community
context, especially
for low-income
households.
Proximity:
Food grown
as close to
community
as possible.
Self-Reliance:
Community
provides for its own
needs
Sustainability:
Ecological and
regenerative
farming/gardening
practices.

82. Community Food

83. Current System

84. Community Gardens
•Community farms and gardens help bring communities together
and provide nutritious food.

85. Farmers markets
•Farmers markets and open air vendors provide
community access to locally grown food.

86. Restaurants and Cafés
Restaurants and cafes can work with community farmers to offer locally
harvested food to consumers.

87. Farm to School
•Farm to School brings healthy food
from local farms to school children
nationwide. The program teaches
students about the path from farm
to fork, and instills healthy eating
habits that can last a lifetime

88. Community Supported Agriculture
(CSA) • Enjoy Fresh,
Healthy, Safe and
Locally-Grown
Produce Every
Week.
• Invest in the
Success of
Environmentally-
Conscious Farmers.
• Support the Local
Economy.
• Greatly Reduce the
Wastes Produced in
Transportation and
Packaging.
•A food system
approach
where
consumers
buy a share
directly from
farmer, gener
ally for weekly
pick-ups.
There is no
―middle man.‖

89. Organizations
the Community Food Security Coalition and
Community Food Connections,
Two organizations dedicated to building
strong, sustainable, local and regional food systems that
ensure acces to affordable, nutricious and culturally
appropriate food.

90. Conclusions
Together:
•an ecological multi-use development
•sustainable food system
•thriving riparian environment
•flexible public spaces
•efficient transportation system
•regenerative economic opportunities
can create an ecologically mindful, economically
resilient, and community-driven district.