By Rusty Bradshaw | Independent Newsmedia, Inc. USA
Surprise staff and council are laying the groundwork for a heritage overlay for the Original Town Site designed to stimulate revitalization in the area.
The overlay is not a new proposal, having been part of the city’s roots in the General Plan 2020 in the form of specific revitalization guides for the OTS. It was further refined in the General Plan 2035. But city officials are ramping up their efforts to invigorate the city’s original square mile.
“At one time the city wanted to make moves toward revitalization, but it languished,” said Mayor Sharon Wolcott. “Now is the time to revive it.”
The effort will rely on land-use plans within the square mile to revitalize vacant and under-utilized lands. It will also rely on resident input.
