After 14 months of collaboration involving more than 700 community members and 120 meetings, the West End Vision Project is entering its final phase. This December, local people can help get this regional project, resource and roadmap across the finish line by weighing in once more.
The community vision plan review opens Dec. 4. Throughout December, residents can read the draft plan and share targeted feedback on new sections and priorities, or the vision plan document as a whole.
Several ways to participate include reading the draft vision plan: bit.ly/WE-Vision-Web (the plan will go live Dec. 4); providing feedback online at bit.ly/WE-Community-Review; talking through questions and commenting one-on-one at bit.ly/WE-Convos; and celebrating and sharing input in person Thursday, Dec. 11, 6-7:30 p.m. at Redvale Community Center.
The West End has taken an important step by choosing to work together, plan proactively and keep local voices at the forefront. The next step is just as important, turning this shared vision into action. That responsibility is shared by everyone, including local leaders, business owners, nonprofits, volunteers and residents alike.
All are invited to learn what comes next at the upcoming Community Conversation and Celebration Dinner. Everyone is invited to join at the Redvale Community Center for a cozy evening of sweet and savory pies, connection and conversation, as organizers celebrate everything the community has contributed to the West End Vision Plan process.
"Expect a short presentation on the final plan, followed by small-group discussions and a chance to weigh-in on the direction, prizes and celebration,” representatives said in a news release. “The Vision Plan Presentation and Celebration Dinner will be Thursday, Dec. 11, 6-7:30 p.m. at Redvale Community Center.”
For those that cannot attend, they can stop in for plan review office hours. There will be copies of the plan, an executive summary and pop-up boards to review, as well as snacks and drinks. Those sessions happen in Norwood at Lone Cone Library’s Multipurpose Room on Wednesday, Dec. 10, from noon to 6:30 p.m.; in Naturita at The Collective Mine (WEEDC offices) on Thursday, Dec. 11, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; and in Nucla at Nucla Community Center on Friday, Dec. 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The vision plan outlines eight community goals supported by 45 strategies. Because local time, capacity and funding are limited, not everything in the plan can or should happen right away. One of the filters to help focus early efforts is the "quick wins and big moves,” the actions most likely to build momentum and drive meaningful progress. Quick wins are tangible, achievable steps that strengthen momentum, including tools for better regional, town and county collaboration and creating local resource directories.
Big moves are large, transformative efforts that will take more investment but represent some of the most impactful opportunities. These include town water and stormwater systems, investing in reliable and efficient utility infrastructure to improve residents’ quality of life and unlock opportunities for housing and economic growth; 24/7 critical access care, expanding the Basin Clinic into a critical access mini-hospital to provide round-the-clock emergency and long-term care, plus allow more residents to remain in the community; the vacant housing program, establishing staffing and systems to identify, rehab and reuse vacant or deteriorating homes, increasing housing options and improving community safety and appearance; establishing a regional voice in public lands decisions, forming a regional, multi-stakeholder group to coordinate, align and advocate for local public lands priorities with state and federal agencies; sustaining WEEDC capacity, building WEEDC staffing and funding to serve as a regional backbone for implementation.
As one of the only organizations spanning all West End jurisdictions, WEEDC is well positioned to lead many of the Plan’s strategies.
“The West End will continue to face questions and challenges around growth, the economy and outside pressures,” organizers said. “What matters is how the community chooses to respond. This plan represents a choice to be proactive rather than reactive.”
The West End Vision Project aims to strengthen the region’s ability to act with purpose, to work more collaboratively, to make choices in alignment with local values, to pursue funding, respond to challenges and make progress on tangible things, like access to housing, jobs and health care.
