skip navigation
Planning Documents

Census

General Planning

Historic Preservation

Urban Design

Downtown

  • Downtown Urban Design Reference Manual
  • The Downtown Urban Design Reference Manual (the Reference Manual) is a design reference tool that will assist the public and staff in the review of projects in the Downtown area as well as in the Downtown Infill Incentive District.

    The Reference Manual contains adopted design policies currently used in development review of the Downtown and serves as a guide to many of the best practices in urban design. Further, it serves to guide future public and private design decisions related to redevelopment and revitalization in the Downtown area.

    There are four basic parts to the Reference Manual: 1) a listing of current Downtown design policies, 2) a Downtown historic preservation design section, 3) an urban design pilot study done in the east Congress Street area, 4) a commentary section that discusses the pros and cons of the pilot study, as well as open space, sustainability and historic preservation issues.

    The commentary section is expected to grow with additions from design professionals as well as other similar interest groups from time to time. The Reference Manual will evolve over time by including future updates to design policies, supplemental commentary, and updated best practices.

    The public is invited to submit design information and commentary for potential inclusion into this document. The Department will review submitted comments based on their relevance to Downtown urban design topics.