Goal Area #1 – Thriving Economy
Issue:
Why Are We Concerned?
The City needs strategies to develop and foster a more diverse revenue base that has expanded representation in
the private sector enterprises, e.g. Technology, Services and Manufacturing and that will benefit the City into the
future. Without a diverse and flexible revenue base, the fiscal stress felt by the City may result in a reduction of
services and/or increases in taxes just to continue “business as usual” and without thought to the strategic future of
the City.
Desired Outcome:
Where do we want to be?
Economic Vitality enables all people within our community to prosper and requires that there be both diversity and
growth within the economy. The building blocks for economic diversity and growth include: a business climate that is
favorable to entrepreneurial activity; a community environment that is both functional and attractive; work
opportunity and security to derive reasonable benefit from a decent job; opportunities for all members of the
community for upward mobility and success; and regionalism and relationships.
Outcome Strategies:
What are Big Bangs to get us there?
• Partner with other organizations to develop meaningful workforce development programs that focus on creating
career ladder opportunities and meeting skills need of existing businesses.
• Better capture entrepreneurial startup activity from the University in the city. (this occurs in a fragmented way
already but an opportunity exists if the city/partners were to proactively embrace and pursue this strategy)
• Focus on helping to generate and sustain successful small businesses.
Working for a World Class Economy
1
Goal Area #2 –World Class Quality of Life
Issue:
Why Are We Concerned?
As needs grow in all service areas provided by the City and funding strategies become more targeted, the City must
also focus on framing and promoting a World Class quality of life for all residents and visitors to the City
Desired Outcome:
Where do we want to be?
We want to become a true World Class City that fosters a World Class quality of life for all residents and visitors to the
City. The strategies to develop in this area should enhance all aspects of life for all citizens and focus on the arts and
entertainment, public safety, cultural diversity, healthy lifestyles, healthy environment, and quality of social and
human services. This can include developing strategies that address the following:
Comprehensive Human Services
ƒ All individuals and families should have the support they need to meet their basic needs and reach their
potential as successful, fully-participating members of the community. Services should be provided in an
efficient and effective manner in a climate that promotes independence and dignity.
World Class Arts and Culture
ƒ Individuals should have the opportunity to experience the City in many different ways, from World Class Parks
and Recreation facilities and programming, to World Class arts and entertainment that is culturally diverse and
available to every one of all ages.
Safe City
ƒ Individuals should feel safe in the community in which they live and visit.
Healthy Lifestyles
ƒ The City should promote healthy lifestyles to all residents.
Healthy Environment
ƒ The City’s environment should contribute to the well-being of its citizens and contribute to the overall health of
the natural community (including watersheds and airsheds).
2
What are Big Bangs to get us there?
• Develop and implement a comprehensive plan for human services with methods for tracking effectiveness
for all programs including non-profits.
• Subsidize and promote wellness programs throughout the community.
• Promote and implement the U.S. Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement
a. City –wide implementation
b. Environmental marketing—private sector
c. Environmental education—public sector
d. Environmental Mgmt. Plans
e. LEED/ Greenbuilding
• Sustainable Stormwater Program that addresses infrastructure, drainage, and water quality challenges
• Development of a community-wide plan for coordination and promotion of art, culture, entertainment (
Enjoying a World Class Quality of Life
3
Goal Area #3 – Multi-Modal Transportation System
Issue:
Why Are We Concerned?
In response to increasing regional density and growth, there must be a comprehensive, regional plan to move people
from one place to another, whether this is via car, bus, walking trail, sidewalk, bicycle or some other means of
transportation...
Desired Outcome:
Where do we want to be?
We want to offer access to regional offerings through multiple and efficient means of transportation with a seamless
transportation system.
Outcome Strategies:
What are Big Bangs to get us there?
• State dedicated funds to improve all modes in transportation around the State
• Well planned and placed sidewalks and street crossings that connect neighborhoods and commercial sectors
• Use of intermodal solutions to connect different forms / systems of transit (bike to bus, park & ride)
• UVA/County/City Transit System that serves all residents, students and visitors, offering free and frequent bus
service, including incentives to use the system.
Getting Around a World Class Region
4
Goal Area #4 – Excellence in Education
Issue:
Why Are We Concerned?
Education is consistently ranked by City residents as the number one funding priority. Yet, the schools continue to
struggle with issues that in order to be dealt with correctly, not only require funding but strong partnerships, formed
throughout the entire community, that will take action in those areas of stress.
Desired Outcome:
Where do we want to be?
Everyone needs to be engaged in preparing our children for successful futures! The City must be a partner with the
School Board, staff and parents to make the City’s school system successful in the focus areas it has identified,
including improving academic performance for all students while at the same time closing historical achievement
gaps, supporting the needs of a diverse student population, involving and collaborating with families and the
community, recruiting, retaining and supporting effective leaders, teachers and staff, and ensuring that our school
environments are safe and conducive to learning.
Outcome Strategies:
What are Big Bangs to get us there?
• Increase collaborative efforts between School Board, City Council, School and City staff to assist the School
Division in achieving the goals and efforts they have outlined in their 2006-2011 Strategic Plan. See Schools’
Strategic Plan.
• Explore more collaborative efforts between City and County schools to leverage resources and possibly include
consolidation of activities and programs.
• Encourage students to complete high school by expanding the college scholarship program.
Help students who do not plan to attend college to take advantage of job skill training programs to increase their
ability to move up in career ladder jobs.
Educating World Class Students
5
Goal Area #5 – Diverse and Affordable Housing
Issue:
Why Are We Concerned?
Due to high prices and a booming real estate market, affordable owner-occupied housing for low-income residents
requires deep subsidies, which raises issues of fiscal capacity for city government.
Desired Outcome:
Where do we want to be?
We want to increasing supply of housing in order to meet demand of diverse market segments should continue,
provided housing locations and housing types in order to increase the property tax base, permitting tax rate
reductions while maintaining high quality city services. In addition, we need to continue to promote and offer the
city’s tax and rent relief programs, which target those homeowners and residents who truly need assistance with their
tax bills and housing costs.
Outcome Strategies:
What are Big Bangs to get us there?
• Homeowner tax relief and rent relief programs with a dedicated source of revenue.
• Raise $5-10 million for private sources to help fund the Housing Trust Fund
• Create aggressive incentive programs for the provision of
a. Affordable housing in land use development opportunities
b. Accessible housing to allow aging in place in locations near services
Housing for All
6
Goal Area # 6 – Regionalism
Issue:
Why Are We Concerned?
The City is at the center of a region that is transitioning from being rural to more urban in nature. The region as a
whole is feeling the stresses that mainly urban areas have felt in the past.
Desired Outcome:
Where do we want to be?
We desire the ability to leverage the combined resources of government in an effort to better serve our region. We
envision working partnerships with the surrounding localities which would enhance the quality of life throughout the
region and where individuals, localities and the University of Virginia would jointly pursue an agenda based mutual
benefit for the region as a whole.
Outcome Strategies:
What are Big Bangs to get us there?
• Regional city/county/university master plan, with the build outs and all the infrastructure needs looked at and
coordinated – not 3 separate plans.
• Regional (city-county) Planning Commission – legally constituted with all the rights and responsibilities of the City
and County Governments (get community and environmental foundations and UVA planning to sponsor study of
regional planning agencies in other states and other countries to be model for implementation.
• City and County Planned Regionalism in the consolidation of services for the urban area– starting with transit,
fire/ems, police, parks and rec., social services . Gradually make these changes, showing success and learning
from the process.
• Develop regional coalition to examine regional solutions to various public issues.
Working Together
7
Goal Area # 7 – Funding Our Future Needs
Issue:
Why Are We Concerned?
We have a community that wants to move forward strategically, in an environment where there are ongoing fiscal
constraints and an aging infrastructure.
Desired Outcome:
Where do we want to be?
We want to be a community that provides an efficient level of service that our community can afford in the long
term.
Outcome Strategies:
What are Big Bangs to get us there?
• Annual “learning” journeys to see what other successful communities are doing – cross section of community –
before during, and after open community briefings on what learned and what local actions can be taken .
• Foster regional dialogues that are recurring in nature on all issues that impact us as a region
• City departments develop Strategic Business Plans (managers AND staff levels) based on the five focus areas
under Community Indicators in support of all goal areas in this document. Hire an independent Strategic Planner
to help departments develop Business Plan and have them ready to implement by FY 2009 budget development
Investing in the Future
8
9