Holtville Economic Development & Master Plan

The City of Holtville wanted to enhance the existing urban fabric in the downtown area, specifically the Holt Park area.  The area has buildings built up close to the street and parking lots behind.  In addition, street-walls are well-defined and continuous.

Goals:

• Encourage development that is compatible with the existing fabric
• Gather vision of downtown from the stakeholders
• Conduct a design charrette to document the characteristics of the area
• Develop these ideas for the future and enshrine them in a form based code

Summary

For this project, Compass Blueprint worked with the City of Holtville to prepare a Master Plan assessing the historic downtown district’s economic viability and the revitalization work that must be accomplished to help guide the future of Holtville and its downtown.  The plan was created to accommodate a wide array of development programs and phasing scenarios over a very long period of time in order to ensure that the downtown area is not only kept as is, but enhanced.

Results:

• Planning for the 650 acre study area proposes up to
  • 114 units - 718 units residential
  • 12,377 sq. ft - 99,157 sq. ft. retail space
  • 971 sq. ft. - 1319 sq. ft. office space
• The plan was adopted by the City Council and integrated in the General Plan in 2009
• City received a California Dept. of Housing & Community Development grant for façade improvement, and another $300,000 grant for business expansion and creation
• Detailed market analysis has formed the basis of other grant applications
• Business development efforts resulted in new bar/restaurant venue opening in the area