Council Taps Phoenix Firm to Craft Vision for New Cultural Park Master Plan

On July 9, the Sedona City Council awarded a $254,242 contract to Dig Studio of Phoenix for the development of a new master plan for the Sedona Cultural Park. This decision came after a review of proposals from five firms, all of which were outside of Sedona.

According to Dig Studio’s contract, the scope of work includes a variety of concepts. These encompass mixed-use developments, adaptive reuse options, streetscape enhancements, mobility and connectivity improvements, and designs for trail access points to the national forest.

The project is expected to span until August 5, 2025. Dig Studio will lead the efforts for public outreach regarding the park’s development, with the aim of generating three alternative concept plans. These plans will subsequently be reviewed by the public, followed by the Planning and Zoning Commission and city council, as outlined by Community Development Director Steve Mertes.

Councilman Pete Furman raised critical questions about the project’s scope. He inquired whether the development would occur as a single project or if it would be phased over time. Mertes clarified that the master planning stage is intended to facilitate development by aligning it with public needs.

Further discussion revealed interests around potential public facilities within the park. Councilman Brian Fultz questioned whether the city would receive rough estimates for significant projects planned for the area. Mertes indicated that while precise figures might not be available, they could expect general ballpark numbers.

Fultz also suggested that discussions about the Cultural Park should be incorporated into the city’s upcoming budget survey in spring 2025, a notion Mertes supported. The last survey, conducted in 2022, highlighted residents’ preferences, showing a strong inclination for preserving the park as open space. The survey’s findings indicated that open space preservation was prioritized over various housing options.

Concerns regarding public engagement in the planning process were also raised. Fultz expressed apprehension that the public participation might not be sufficiently robust, anticipating significant community interest. Mertes assured that the design process includes three public meetings within a year to accommodate public feedback.

Dig Studio’s contract mandates 26 biweekly design meetings alongside city staff and multiple stakeholder engagements, including additional public sessions to discuss findings and gather further input.

City officials have previously emphasized the importance of extensive public outreach in planning for the Cultural Park, while current discussions hint at a focus on allowing broad community contributions throughout the process. City Manager Anette Spickard affirmed that input from residents will be welcomed at various stages, beyond just public meetings.

Notably, the current contract does not address the existing amphitheater or the community’s aspirations for arts and cultural activities in the park. Spickard remained non-committal about whether the possibility of reopening the venue would be part of the planning discussions but emphasized the need for an open-ended process free from preconceived ideas. The proposal for constructing apartments at the site is now contingent upon the master planning outcomes.