Douglas Downtown Revitalization

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Downtown Douglas - G Avenue from 9th Street to 12th Street

The City of Douglas is working on a long-envisioned project – revitalizing the Historic Downtown Douglas streetscape! The Downtown Streetscape aims to enhance the overall look and feel of the downtown area by improving the aesthetics, functionality, and safety of the streetscape. The project will focus on upgrading sidewalks, landscaping, lighting, and street furniture to create a more attractive and welcoming environment for residents, visitors, and businesses.

The City of Douglas Downtown Streetscape Plan will set out a vision for the future of Downtown Douglas as a safe, pedestrian, business-friendly, and attractive downtown in a unique setting where history, nature, and the City come together.

Downtown Streetscape Master Plan

The design team is currently working on conceptual designs for the streetscape system, which includes street and sidewalk paving enhancements, lighting, on-street parking improvements, landscaping, shade canopies and structures, artwork, and alley improvements. The primary goal of downtown revitalization is to breathe new life into our city's core, making it more vibrant, economically viable, and attractive to residents, businesses, and visitors.


Collaborative Effort

The Downtown Streetscape project represents a strong collaborative effort between the City of Douglas, J2 Design, downtown business owners, and community members. The City has hosted two open houses, performed online, paper, and in-person surveys, and held public meetings to seek community input. This synergy ensures a well-rounded approach, reflecting the needs, values, and aspirations of the community.


J2 Design Concepts

The City of Douglas has expended $80,035.22, to date, toward the 30% design of this project. J2 presented four design concepts to the Mayor and Council, incorporating feedback gathered from the community. During a Special Meeting held on May 1, 2024, the Mayor and Council selected a final concept and directed staff to proceed with obtaining a 30% Design Concept Report from J2.

The final concept contains the following improvements:

The main configuration of the street would include 15’-0” Northbound and Southbound lanes and 17’-6” angled parking on both sides of the street. Included in the on-street angled parking is a minimum of (3) three accessible parking spaces per block, including (1) one dedicated purple heart reserved parking space. The angled parking on the west side of the street is replaced with (3) three parallel parking spaces in front of the Hotel Gadsden property to facilitate a drop-off and pick-up zone. The final concept does not include a center turn lane, the space previously allocated to the center turn lane was instead distributed between the travel lanes and the sidewalk zones. The 17’-6” sidewalk zones represented in the final concept are just wide enough to support possible on-street dining patios and still maintain an accessible sidewalk. Enhanced hardscape treatments would only occur in the crosswalk and driveway zones. Each corner would include pedestrian bump-outs to achieve a shorter and safer crosswalk. The final concept also features bump-outs at existing fire hydrant locations which correlate to where accessible parking stalls would be located. The final concept would preserve the existing street tree system and introduce no additional trees to the streetscape. A new 1” water meter and backflow preventer would be installed on each side of the roadway for the landscape irrigation system.


Advancing the Project

At the July Regular Council Meeting, the Mayor and Council reviewed the final draft of the City of Douglas Downtown Streetscape Master Plan Design Concept Report. They directed staff to proceed with the project to 100% design and awarded J2 the contract for full engineering and design completion.

Project Limits

The project limits encompass G Avenue from 9th Street to 12th Street and 10th Street from G Avenue to D Avenue.

Project Background

Initiated by a 2008 University of Arizona connectivity study at the request of our city, the recommendations of this study revealed that our historic downtown was due for a much-needed enhancement. Calling for improvements for safety, economic, and accessibility reasons. As time progressed and different administration priorities were met, a 2011 Downtown Douglas Revitalization Plan was created. This plan lays out the steps needed to make this community dream come to fruition.

Fast forward to October 2019, the City of Douglas held a community workshop where participants were asked to provide their opinions on a range of streetscape design elements and relevant considerations within a visual preference survey. The purpose of the workshop was to help guide the direction of design elements into one that is supported by the community. Meeting participants were asked to rank their preferences regarding thirteen different streetscape elements. In total, thirty surveys were completed and submitted for analysis. Survey results from the October 2019 community workshop can be found here.

The subsequent survey results and analysis were used to publish a Requested for Proposal for Downtown Streetscape Design Build in March 2020. The contract was then awarded to J2 Engineering & Environmental Design (J2 Design) in September 2020.

In March 2022, the City of Douglas, with J2 Design, hosted a public input meeting to gather feedback from the community on a conceptual design created through a collaborative public participation and outreach process through community stakeholder meetings. In addition to the public meeting, the City of Douglas published a community survey with the intent of receiving commentary on the conceptual streetscape design from residents unable to attend the public input meeting. The responses from the event and survey were used to assess the applicability of innovations in urban design and potential streetscape improvements. Survey responses can be found here.

The results from the public input meeting were later presented to the Mayor & Council. Mayor & Council requested alternative designs for the streetscape before giving direction to proceed. The design team worked to develop alternatives to then seek direction from the Mayor and Council direction.

In September 2022, two more concepts were brought to the Mayor and Council, and public input was sought and received. The Mayor and Council stated they would continue to study the concepts and review public commentary, while staff worked toward funding plans and strategies. The final quarter of 2022 was the time staff focused on project budgeting and preparation of grants and funding packages.

In May 2023, staff submitted a $2.9 million funding request under the Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) program for the Downtown Streetscape Project.

In December 2023, the Mayor and Council met in a retreat setting to discuss the Downtown Streetscape Project. Everything was reviewed starting with the 2008 and 2011 studies and the recent design concepts with J2. Also reviewed was the community's input gathered through social media, in-person meetings, town halls, and survey results. Consensus was gathered on various key aspects of the design concepts and direction was provided to staff to work with J2 on a modified design that incorporated improved disabled parking, purple heart reserved parking spaces, expanded sidewalks but modified to a lesser expansion, and many of the other proposed features. Staff will return to the Mayor and Council with a final recommendation, based on their direction at the retreat.

In March of 2024, the City was notified that the House and Senate Appropriations Committee released and passed the nearly $500 billion bill which was signed by President Biden and included the $2.9 million for the Douglas Streetscape Project request.

Staff will return to the Mayor and Council with a final proposed design concept in May 2024 and begin the engineering phase of the project.


The City of Douglas is working on a long-envisioned project – revitalizing the Historic Downtown Douglas streetscape! The Downtown Streetscape aims to enhance the overall look and feel of the downtown area by improving the aesthetics, functionality, and safety of the streetscape. The project will focus on upgrading sidewalks, landscaping, lighting, and street furniture to create a more attractive and welcoming environment for residents, visitors, and businesses.

The City of Douglas Downtown Streetscape Plan will set out a vision for the future of Downtown Douglas as a safe, pedestrian, business-friendly, and attractive downtown in a unique setting where history, nature, and the City come together.

Downtown Streetscape Master Plan

The design team is currently working on conceptual designs for the streetscape system, which includes street and sidewalk paving enhancements, lighting, on-street parking improvements, landscaping, shade canopies and structures, artwork, and alley improvements. The primary goal of downtown revitalization is to breathe new life into our city's core, making it more vibrant, economically viable, and attractive to residents, businesses, and visitors.


Collaborative Effort

The Downtown Streetscape project represents a strong collaborative effort between the City of Douglas, J2 Design, downtown business owners, and community members. The City has hosted two open houses, performed online, paper, and in-person surveys, and held public meetings to seek community input. This synergy ensures a well-rounded approach, reflecting the needs, values, and aspirations of the community.


J2 Design Concepts

The City of Douglas has expended $80,035.22, to date, toward the 30% design of this project. J2 presented four design concepts to the Mayor and Council, incorporating feedback gathered from the community. During a Special Meeting held on May 1, 2024, the Mayor and Council selected a final concept and directed staff to proceed with obtaining a 30% Design Concept Report from J2.

The final concept contains the following improvements:

The main configuration of the street would include 15’-0” Northbound and Southbound lanes and 17’-6” angled parking on both sides of the street. Included in the on-street angled parking is a minimum of (3) three accessible parking spaces per block, including (1) one dedicated purple heart reserved parking space. The angled parking on the west side of the street is replaced with (3) three parallel parking spaces in front of the Hotel Gadsden property to facilitate a drop-off and pick-up zone. The final concept does not include a center turn lane, the space previously allocated to the center turn lane was instead distributed between the travel lanes and the sidewalk zones. The 17’-6” sidewalk zones represented in the final concept are just wide enough to support possible on-street dining patios and still maintain an accessible sidewalk. Enhanced hardscape treatments would only occur in the crosswalk and driveway zones. Each corner would include pedestrian bump-outs to achieve a shorter and safer crosswalk. The final concept also features bump-outs at existing fire hydrant locations which correlate to where accessible parking stalls would be located. The final concept would preserve the existing street tree system and introduce no additional trees to the streetscape. A new 1” water meter and backflow preventer would be installed on each side of the roadway for the landscape irrigation system.


Advancing the Project

At the July Regular Council Meeting, the Mayor and Council reviewed the final draft of the City of Douglas Downtown Streetscape Master Plan Design Concept Report. They directed staff to proceed with the project to 100% design and awarded J2 the contract for full engineering and design completion.

Project Limits

The project limits encompass G Avenue from 9th Street to 12th Street and 10th Street from G Avenue to D Avenue.

Project Background

Initiated by a 2008 University of Arizona connectivity study at the request of our city, the recommendations of this study revealed that our historic downtown was due for a much-needed enhancement. Calling for improvements for safety, economic, and accessibility reasons. As time progressed and different administration priorities were met, a 2011 Downtown Douglas Revitalization Plan was created. This plan lays out the steps needed to make this community dream come to fruition.

Fast forward to October 2019, the City of Douglas held a community workshop where participants were asked to provide their opinions on a range of streetscape design elements and relevant considerations within a visual preference survey. The purpose of the workshop was to help guide the direction of design elements into one that is supported by the community. Meeting participants were asked to rank their preferences regarding thirteen different streetscape elements. In total, thirty surveys were completed and submitted for analysis. Survey results from the October 2019 community workshop can be found here.

The subsequent survey results and analysis were used to publish a Requested for Proposal for Downtown Streetscape Design Build in March 2020. The contract was then awarded to J2 Engineering & Environmental Design (J2 Design) in September 2020.

In March 2022, the City of Douglas, with J2 Design, hosted a public input meeting to gather feedback from the community on a conceptual design created through a collaborative public participation and outreach process through community stakeholder meetings. In addition to the public meeting, the City of Douglas published a community survey with the intent of receiving commentary on the conceptual streetscape design from residents unable to attend the public input meeting. The responses from the event and survey were used to assess the applicability of innovations in urban design and potential streetscape improvements. Survey responses can be found here.

The results from the public input meeting were later presented to the Mayor & Council. Mayor & Council requested alternative designs for the streetscape before giving direction to proceed. The design team worked to develop alternatives to then seek direction from the Mayor and Council direction.

In September 2022, two more concepts were brought to the Mayor and Council, and public input was sought and received. The Mayor and Council stated they would continue to study the concepts and review public commentary, while staff worked toward funding plans and strategies. The final quarter of 2022 was the time staff focused on project budgeting and preparation of grants and funding packages.

In May 2023, staff submitted a $2.9 million funding request under the Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) program for the Downtown Streetscape Project.

In December 2023, the Mayor and Council met in a retreat setting to discuss the Downtown Streetscape Project. Everything was reviewed starting with the 2008 and 2011 studies and the recent design concepts with J2. Also reviewed was the community's input gathered through social media, in-person meetings, town halls, and survey results. Consensus was gathered on various key aspects of the design concepts and direction was provided to staff to work with J2 on a modified design that incorporated improved disabled parking, purple heart reserved parking spaces, expanded sidewalks but modified to a lesser expansion, and many of the other proposed features. Staff will return to the Mayor and Council with a final recommendation, based on their direction at the retreat.

In March of 2024, the City was notified that the House and Senate Appropriations Committee released and passed the nearly $500 billion bill which was signed by President Biden and included the $2.9 million for the Douglas Streetscape Project request.

Staff will return to the Mayor and Council with a final proposed design concept in May 2024 and begin the engineering phase of the project.


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I prefer option 2. Reducing vehicle proximity to the fragile, historic buildings will help them survive. It will also allow more people to linger near the facades and windows. The current street width accommodated carriages, trolleys, and autos of the past. Now it is big SUVs, commercial tractor trailers, off road vehicles with deafening tires and gunning motors, and idling engines and big bumpers within a few feet of store doors.
Parking would need to be close and generous. Blocks north and south the the area designated in this proposal could be left with original street width. Comparisons can provide context.

allystrong over 1 year ago
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Personally, I think the less interference the better. Leave the street and parking spaces the way they are. Parallel parking downtown would be a major headache.
Granted that this project is not about trees, but simply trimming the trees to a dome or square shape would make an instant visual improvement and promote the feeling that someone in the city cares about appearances.

Pantuflas over 1 year ago
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This project should be abandoned! People travel around the world to see ruins! Don’t be ashamed….educate people on the history of mining towns. Showcase the somewhat survival of Douglas!! This could be a real teaching moment to the youth and our future government officials.

mbrown over 1 year ago
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In reading the comments here and in discussions with community members (many of them business owners on G Avenue), I wonder if whether a streetscape design is premature at this time. Any significant front of building or facade renovations on buildings will likely require heavy equipment and could very well damage any new streetscape. What is the priority? What is the long term plan? I think the buildings and the businesses are perhaps more important for revitalization of the downtown area at this time in combination with smaller, more incremental and necessary improvements.

Another point: there are serious safety issues re visibility with the diagonal parking and increasingly high street crowns.

Thank you.

MizLaMar over 1 year ago
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I applaud the City for your efforts in addressing the downtown area. It's our history and it needs to be preserved. The buildings need to be repaired and preserved as well. Yes, other areas of town need work, mainly our streets, but people need to understand that we need to use funding sources for what they are earmarked for.

MCG1966 over 1 year ago
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Survey should have NONE OF THE ABOVE as an option.

MizLaMar over 1 year ago
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Return to 4 way stops.

Center median should have been an option.

Another consideration should have been a ONE WAY option South on G to 7th and one way North on F to 15th and redo intersection at 15th and G.

Awning shade structures similar to historical design should be considered in lieu of additional trees.

J2 contract should be terminated. They have not provided a remotely adequate streetscape design for the money received. Fees being spent in Phoenix and not our local or regional economy. Inform public how much has been paid to J2 thus far.

Agree with many commentators that the city should prioritize using local talent and expertise.

There should be a 3D computer generated model of the entire downtown.

Facades of all buildings downtown should be documented through the Lidar.

F Avenue should also have streetscape program as well as activation of alleys.

Communication with the public needs improvement. Participation on streetscape (and other initiatives) has been difficult. Spanish translation of information is imperative.

MizLaMar over 1 year ago
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Survey is flawed as all designs are horrible and there is not an option to choose none of the above. So people will choose one design over another to get a 'most popular" of the the but it really won't be the people's choice.

Tanya Duarte over 1 year ago
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I think more benches downtown would be great!

CynthiaRobles over 1 year ago
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