Second Wave of Cultural Park Survey Set to Launch

The development of a new master plan for Sedona Cultural Park is experiencing delays, now approximately three months behind schedule. However, residents will soon have the opportunity to participate in a new online survey regarding the park’s options, set to launch over the weekend, along with a public meeting planned for February.

Community Development Director Steve Mertes shared this update with the Sedona City Council during their priority retreat on December 12. “We’re going to use a second survey to help whittle down some of the understanding of what the public is wanting,” he stated, noting the survey’s launch is anticipated either on Friday, December 20, or Monday, December 23. The next workshop is scheduled for February 6.

Initially, a draft schedule had the second survey running from the second weekend of December through the first weekend of January, with another public meeting occurring in mid-December. Yet, given the recent delays, these timelines may require adjustments.

The master plan’s timeline includes significant milestones, with a Planning and Zoning Commission meeting tentatively set for the second week of January and the City Council hearing expected in mid-May. These dates may shift to April and August, respectively, due to the postponement of public meetings.

During the council meeting, Councilman Brian Fultz raised critical questions regarding community education about potential costs associated with the proposed options. “Getting ideas of what people like is great, but this stuff’s got to be paid for,” he emphasized, pointing out the challenges in bridging community desires with budget realities.

Mertes assured the council that these considerations are being incorporated into the survey’s design. He added that the estimated cost for a comprehensive recreation center could range from $25 million to $30 million, underscoring the importance of tangible financial implications in the upcoming discussions.