Context Driven Design What Newton is Saying Draft Plan Sketches Talk to the Project Team What's next?

A major part of the master planning process involves gathering data. This graphic shows the gathered data compiled into a Theme/Identity Map to visually demonstrate how many of the emerging themes are connected. Clicking on the gray bars at the bottom of the page reveals a couple sample data sets from the project.

Theme/Identity Map

Liabilities, Assets, Needs, Dreams (L.A.N.D.) Analysis

A L.A.N.D. analysis is a data collection tool that was used to understand what people think about Newton (L.A.N.D. stands for Liabilities, Assets, Needs and Dreams). The chart below shows what you've told us at the meetings so far, but we would love to have you add to this list. Talk to us...

Liabilities	common themes	Assets

	access	downtown close to residential neighborhoods, affordable housing

irritation due to traffic stops	trains	history/culture/identity
appearance of corridor		interest of trains, RR, BNSF turntable/work area
negative public attitude to RR<		AMTRAK service
		Depot

KDOT control – lack of flexibility	K-15	high traffic through area
lack of a truck route		meeting point off 2 major highways

not enough, not in right places	parking	studies show adequate parking
no diagonal parking on K-15
perception that it takes too long to walk from parking
employee parking using up close spaces

competition with outside cities	location to other cities	close enough for work/other needs
community thinks, “shop Wichita first”		Strategically located in path of progress

the look is blah – appearance blah	appearance	Historic district designation
appearance of rail corridor		Visual elements of iconic structures, elevators depot & mill
no "center" to downtown		attractive architecture, restored facades
old Dillons store area		attractive amenities- benches, planters
unsightly storefronts, facades		overhangs and awnings
unable to read "blue sky" signs		parks, green spaces

	retail/business
prime retail occupied by offices		Growth
development shifting to south of town		most storefronts full
lack of capital		Businesses with tradition in Newton
landlords unwilling – lack of commitment by bldg. Owners		diversity of uses, businesses, interesting retail
vacant/run down upper stories		Local ownership on most businesses
lack of meeting space for more than 50		city/county/USD/church institutions- good relations
lack of understanding customers		Nice public spaces, library, art gallery
lack of concern/interest for marketing		Education- middle school, Axtell learning center, BCAPA
Hours: not open late enough, not uniform		Business owners know customers
-Streets roll up on Sundays		Active chamber of commerce
-not open late Saturday		Proximity to North Dillons/ 12th + Main shopping area

	programming	Good arts & educ. Institutions
		Regular well-attended events through-out the year
		live entertainment- theater, Mokas, Reba's, other

need unique theme or branding	thematic	Attempt for uniqueness/diversity
no driving force		Have a functional downtown
all too busy to work or dream		Active promotions committee
		Visual identity of grain elevator/railroad

	other
Homeless shelter- users in downtown area		people are friendly

Needs	common themes	Dreams
		Change attitudes

gateway to downtown on Broadway	access	Make downtown for peds not cars
Connections to bike/pedestrian system		bike lanes, convenient and secure bike parking
updated stores		attractive parking garage
		concrete markings for sidewalks, intersections
		Aesthetic draw from parking to stores
		places for people to congregate before/after events

RR heritage	train	Depot active
way to move traffic when trains going through		RR corridor from Broadway to 1st “green”
Change of attitudes towards trains		ability to catch train in daylight hours
		Train to bring people to eat & shop from Wichita, something to put desire in peoples minds
		depot for transport to Wichita, KC, Amtrak connections
		keep corridor open, particularly when viewed from south
		City ownership of depot- use as visual, commercial focus for downtown

Community ownership	retail/business	Public sector campus
Education of assets to bring people here & keep them here		Dillon’s/Salvation Army turned into theme park
"everyday" or typical retail, not just bargain or niche stores		indoor venues for entertainment
Shopping trends, updated stores		Take out bank bldg. @ 6th and main, put in food court
attractions for all ages		Green space train corridor & old mill as is, nice steak house (flint hills)
Interest in change from other businesses not present at mtg. 180 invited 24here		occupied upper stories
make businesses customer friendly		outdoor venues for entertainment
Regulatory environ?? Pro-Bus? Main street prg/ CDBG,		develop more locally owned stores
compact, fully occupied downtown from 1st to 8th		develop old Dillon's into park or hotel
Increase in mix of uses- "people generators"		increase in variety, number of restaurants
Arts/cultural center		Place to purchase his needs in the downtown area. Including the general store
use downtown as first location/choice for business
community center to draw Newton Residents to downtown

	appearance	public art work
more cleanup of properties adjacent to Main, south Main		Historic markers (for old well)
WOW!! Effect with implementation strategies		Restore area behind old mill
Safer, cleaner, stronger – make downtown look better		more green space
		downtown that has look and feel that draws people
		People don’t care how far they walk so make things pretty along the way
		public features that encourage human interaction
		attractive seating areas that match historic environment


Identity	identity/process	information kiosks
thinking that downtown is more than Main Street		Sunday activities
More people involved in the process
Shorter-term goals for the project
Less process more product
Build on assets
overall theme/direction that all can buy into- creates new sense of community

Downtown Building Owner's Focus Group

Liabilities

Train Traffic
Brick walks difficult to sweep and impossible to scoop
Bad for high heels too
Lack of a vision
Property taxes
Parking
-Marking tires when only two stalls are in use
Two hours not enough when shopping throughout downtown
Not pedestrian friendly (drivers)
Not bike friendly
Traffic
Racks(parking)
(A lot of walkers and bikers in the evenings)
Lack of action on part of City
Sprucing up
Incentives
Façade enhancements
Lighting poor off main
Sidewalks disrepair off main
Outdoor noise and trash from pubs, cussing, etc.
Lack of Greenspace for outdoor events
Speed of traffic is too high
High traffic and speeding on alleys
Speed limits not consistent with use

Assets

Few vacancies
Busier than it has been
Nice Streetscape with lights and amenities
Wide walks
Second story use (res. And business – mixed use)
Historic Recognition
Play up trains (they built this town)
Good business mix
Good interest in this process
Relatively Cleaner streets - good receptacles
Few false facades
Good cooperation
Parking

Needs

Need recycling receptacles
Common Vision, Focus, clarity of Purpose (common strategy)
Play up parking more
Employees park appropriately – not right behind or in front of businesses.
Increase quantity of full day parking spaces.
Directions to parking
Parking at courthouse (more)
Appropriate land use in right location (salvation army site for example)
Vegetation – type and location so don’t block signage.
Variety of vegetation types (planters, scale of materials, etc.)
Consistent signage and wayfinding (size, color, etc. at the curb)
Resolve bike/vehicle/pedestrian conflicts
Consolidate lighting and consistent character.
Downtown entertainment venues (outdoor and indoor)

Dreams

Bike Lanes
Elevated railroad tracks
Convert depot Harvey House Restaurant and Train Museum
Use old Bank of America site – redevelop as outdoor venue space (community
greenspace) Farmers Market possibility. (Get bank to donate it to City)
Activity on the street – sidewalk sales, mobile kiosks, etc.
Music Festival