CCP 09-25-2006 - Laserfiche WebLink

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1111 A sense of ownership is a powerful motivator to keep people engaged. 24 Investing in infrastructure improvements . On many bases, the existing infrastructure, such as roads, utilrt:ies. sewer, and water, may be antiquated and inadequate for the planned development. The LRA should develop an infrastructure plan that will support the reuse plan. This plan should address how the improve- ments will be financed. It may be difficult to market the site until some of these investments are made. At Lowry, the LRA invested heavily in the infrastructure to give the first home builders the security they needed to under- stand and embrace the development vision. In addition, the lRA did not launch a sales effort for the commercial district until it had demolished the runways and obsolete buildings, installed infrastructure, and landscapedthe grounds_ This upfront investment was essential to make the site attractive to privDte investors.. Keeping the public involved As important as public involvement is in developing the reuse plan, it is equally important in seeing the plan through. Citi7ens keep the LRA and local goveroment accountable and on track with the vision" Keeping the public engaged throughout implementation also wi!( minimize the risk of last-"minute challen~J€-s that could prove costly and time---consuming for the developer and/or the LRA. Although sustaining public interest and enthusiasm for such a long time C<-'ln be demand- ing, many base reuse projects have done so success- fully. Newsletters, Web sites, and public meetings can share information with the public. The LRA must also periodically give people opportunities to comment on the plan's progress-information sharing cannot be a one way street. Once- construction is underway, public tours of the project give citizens a chance to see their vision becoming a reality_ This sense of ownership is a powerful motivator to keep people engaged. . .