Terminal Park's future - vision statement

Vision statements identify broad principles upon which the neighborhood plan is based. It represents values that the neighborhood deems as important enough to preserve for future generations. It describes the neighborhood’s desired character, key features and amenities. This vision statement serves as a guide to the Terminal Park neighborhood planning process. It is the framework for specific goals, policies and recommendations.

In the Year 2002, most of the people who live and/or earn their living by doing business in Terminal Park –

Envision Terminal Park as a walkable, pedestrian oriented neighborhood from which it is convenient to reach other city locations. They would like to see sidewalks or pedestrian pathways along all the streets that are safe, attractive, well maintained and adequately lit for people to use at night without fear.

See residents getting around the neighborhood by walking and biking to churches, shops and services along Auburn Way South as well as to Downtown Auburn.

Foresee Auburn Way South as a nicely landscaped thoroughfare that is easy to cross so that residents and children can safely reach the library, Les Gove Park and the White River Valley Museum.

Are proud of their park, open spaces and public facilities. Terminal Park Elementary School, Holy Family Church and White River Presbyterian Church are all important landmarks. They want existing parks and open spaces preserved and encourage new developments to add to existing open spaces, parks, playgrounds, and common areas.

Can see a variety of housing choices within their neighborhood that are affordable to households within a wide range of incomes. They want to maintain a balanced mix of multi-family and single-family housing within their neighborhood. They foresee single-family, attached housing filling the small lots between D Street SE and A Street SE. They discourage smaller scale multi-family housing developments of six units or less unless they are professionally managed and provide ample off-street parking.

Regard land use as predictable. They support commercial developments along A Street SE that adhere to design characteristics which maintain the residential character of the neighborhood. They encourage the commercial development in the north end of their neighborhood to construct buildings that have a mixture of retail and residential uses.

Can purchase most of their everyday, household needs from shops within walking distance from their homes. They like to brag that residents do not need to leave their neighborhood to purchase groceries, dry-cleaning, auto-repair, haircuts, rent a video, eat-out, get a good cup of coffee, buy ice cream, see a doctor or dentist, fill prescriptions or get their glasses fixed.

Frequently attend events, activities, classes and workshops presented at local public facilities. Neighborhood schools are seen as community learning centers that serve families with and without children. They provide a wide range of activities for people of all ages. Citizens, even those without children, often attend events, or volunteer at neighborhood schools or churches, so as to support younger generations.

Consider their neighborhood as safe. Residents and business owners enthusiastically participate in the City's community policing philosophy. Neighborhood watch groups meet regularly and strive to keep their neighbors informed about various crime prevention strategies and the abatement of public nuisances. Local businesses likewise are engaged in helping keep their neighborhood and shoppers safe. They support the removal of graffiti and other forms of vandalism.

Claim that their neighborhood is well maintained because neighbors take pride in their property and their yards. Residential life is peaceful, quiet and safe. Neighbors talk to and visit one another and look out for one another’s properties and belongings. It is not unusual to see neighbors talking to one another at street corners or in front of one another’s homes.