Three goals were derived during the creation of the City of Saginaw' Master Plan and relate directly to the issues and concerns identified by the residents, elected officials, and stakeholders.
The three goals to lead the City of Saginaw toward a new direction are:
1. Develop strong and stable neighborhoods that are desirable and have a unique sense of place,
2. Create a viable and attractive community, and
3. Provide adequate and cost-effective public services.
The following strategies or priorities are designed to support the previous goals and are critical to ensure their implementation. In general, these direct City staff and officials on how to implement the plan’s goals.
A. Restructure City Infrastructure and Services: The City will need to re-examine what infrastructure is important and how to provide it. In some cases, because of reduced revenue streams, there may be a need to restructure some services.
B. Shovel-Ready Sites: In partnership with Saginaw County Land Bank Authority, the City of Saginaw continues to eliminate vacant and blighted structures. When assembled and marketed, these properties then become an asset that can be used as an incentive to attract new investment into the City.
C. Riverfront Enhancements: The Saginaw River is Saginaw’s most significant natural resource. It is a corridor for recreation, an attractive location for activity, and it connects two of the busiest nodes in the City – Downtown and Old Town. Enhancing the riverfront is critical to place making and attracting new residents and businesses to the City. Further, the community assets and regional destinations here are vital to keeping Saginaw successful, as such, City resources and related capital resources will continue to be invested in the Central Core of the City.
D. Strong Neighborhoods, A Safe Community: Community input stressed the need to address absentee landlords, the abundance of rental properties, the persistence of needless crime, and historic preservation. By supporting neighborhood associations, code enforcement, community policing, continuing neighborhood stabilization initiatives, and working with the Saginaw School District, Saginaw’s neighborhoods will maintain their desirability and attractiveness. Saginaw’s historic districts and buildings can also be used as resources to help strengthen neighborhoods.
E. Hospital Partnerships: Community input and conversations with the Working Committee demonstrated the need to continue cooperating with Covenant and St. Mary’s to address growth and plan for stronger neighborhoods that are physically well-connected to their respective medical campuses. Together with the Aleda E. Lutz VA Medical Center and Great Lakes Bay Health Center, these hospitals offer opportunities for economic growth and diversification.
F. Gateway Enhancements: Gateways are strategic enhancements at specified locations at the boundary of the City and adjacent communities. They are intended to create a positive image for people traveling into the City by improving the visual appeal of the City entry through low maintenance and attractive landscaping.
G. Zoning Ordinance Re-Write: Based on the new land use categories shown on the Future Land Use Map, new zoning districts will need to be drafted. The new zoning categories will permit new kinds of activities and uses in the City, all intended to encourage new economic development while addressing ways to right-size City infrastructure and services.
The next step in the process is to garner any additional community input. The City of Saginaw Planning Commission will hold a public hearing during its regular meeting August 23, 2022, at 6:00 pm, at City Hall, 1315 S Washington Ave. Comments from the public will be accepted up to and including the public hearing.
To view the 2022 Draft Master Plan go to: https://www.saginaw-mi.com/.../planning.../master_plan.php.
Original source can be found here.
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