Virtual Open House
You’ve spoken. We’ve listened. Last year we asked which areas needed most attention and you guided our focus. Now we need your input on future scenarios for Downtown, Uptown, Mall, and Amtrak station area. Thanks to those who joined live!
View the meeting recording below and provide input at www.altoncomprehensiveplan.com/engage
What is your wish for Alton to thrive into the next 20 years? Do you want to see more jobs or businesses? Are you interested in more ways to get around by walking, biking, or transit? Are there enough housing options where you want to live? What about the riverfront and parks? The City is pleased to announce the start of our comprehensive plan process and we want you to get involved.
A comprehensive plan is a guidebook for the city, looking 20 years into the future. In this role, the comprehensive plan serves as a navigational tool, a compass to evaluate alternative decisions and determine which are best aligned with the community’s vision. It starts with an aspirational vision of what people want the city to be in the future. Then, the Plan will provide a pragmatic, step-by-step action plan intended to accomplish specific outcomes to further the vision.
So far in the process, your neighbors and friends shared their visions for the city’s future, expressed what Alton needs more and less of, and identified their priorities for how decision-makers could spend money on community improvements. The project team used that input to draft a community vision and focus areas of the city that need more improvements – better housing options, improved sidewalks, living wage jobs, and more celebrating of Alton’s cultural assets like historic resources and the riverfront.
Stay tuned to this Comprehensive Plan landing page for more details on how to get involved. You will have opportunities to provide your ideas online through surveys and interactive maps, in-person at places in your neighborhood, and through citywide community workshops.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
You can review more details about Alton’s past planning efforts, demographics, market conditions, and other existing conditions information in the comprehensive plan’s Existing Conditions Report, to view click here.
You can also learn about topics from across the country and how they relate to Alton in the plan’s Trends Report, to view click here.
TIMELINE
The comprehensive plan will be developed over a period of 12 to 18 months, kicking off this past summer. The process will occur over four strategic phases with public and stakeholder engagement throughout the planning process.
YOUR VOICE
We now need your best ideas on how to target investments and create more livable places! Continue to influence the direction of the Alton Comprehensive Plan in these upcoming engagement opportunities:
- Community Workshop – More opportunities to learn about the project, react to a draft community vision and topical goals, and tell us where and how to invest for the city’s future. This meeting is on Thursday, April 16th from 5:30-7:30pm at the Alton Middle School Annex Cafeteria (2200 College Avenue).
- Online Story and Survey – Learn about the project, draw priorities on an interactive map, and provide input through a quick survey – please click here.
- Pop-Up Events – Engage on the comprehensive plan in your own neighborhood! We will be at
- Fast Eddie’s Chicken – Wednesday, April 15 from 4:30pm-6:30pm
- Senior Services Plus – Thursday, April 16 from 11:00am-1:00pm
Review past comprehensive plan engagement material in the Public Engagement Summary, to view click here.
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee (CPAC) is a temporary, advisory group formed to support the City of Alton’s Comprehensive Plan update. The CPAC brings together community members, local leaders, and representatives from organizations and institutions to share perspectives and provide input at key points in the planning process.
The committee’s role is to help inform City staff and the consultant team by discussing community conditions, priorities, and opportunities. The CPAC does not make decisions, take votes, or approve plan documents. All formal review and approval of the Comprehensive Plan will occur through the City’s public bodies, including the Plan Commission and City Council.
The CPAC meets on an as-needed basis during the Comprehensive Plan process and will conclude its work upon completion of the plan.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Laura Lyon Hope Mader
Trudy Bodenbach Elaine Kane
Peter Hough Nick Johnson
Shondalyn Williamson Kevin Jemison
Lauren Pattan Stephanie Elliott
Anette Campbell Scot Heathman
Dr. Deedee Jones Al Womack