Downtown Vision (CPAT)

APA CPAT Final Report

As new automobile oriented retail developments have become more and more common along our nations freeways, merchants, property owners and communities have worked to keep their downtowns viable places for commerce and recreation. Much like what has become the national norm, Spanish Fork now enjoys new retail development that both compliments and competes with our historic central business district.

Many downtowns throughout the country have suffered as suburban centers become the new hot spots for retail or other economic activity. In some cases, communities have recognized the decline of their downtowns and have responded in various ways to reverse the trend. There is no shortage of success stories in communities that now have thriving Main Streets. We hope to be one of those communities.

So, Spanish Fork was selected to be the first city in Utah to participate in the Community Planning Assistance Team program that is administered by the American Planning Association. This program gave us access to six professionals that provided a very sophisticated perspective and strategies on what we can do to make our downtown as vibrant as possible. The professionals researched our community and spent a week in Spanish Fork in May 2015, from May 10 to May 15. During that week, there were numerous meetings with business owners, local officials and residents as the team learned as much as they could about how to help. During this time, a document was developed which will guide the areas transformation back to being a place that is highly valued, a place where the community gathers, recreates and conducts commerce.

Additional information on the project can be found at the links below or by contacting the Community Development Department at 801.804.4580.

APA CPAT Final Report
https://www.planning.org/communityassistance/teams/
https://www.planning.org/communityassistance/teams/spanishfork/