Calistoga Vitality Group, Inc.

Ten Initiatives for Our Turnaround

There is no doubt that the ten initiatives identified by the Economic Vitality Group go to the heart of everything that is important for our community, and within each there is room for all of us to work together in creative and exciting ways to shape the future of our town. For those who live and work here, the initiatives strive to:

Preserve and protect our small town character and historical identity
Create a healthy year-round business environment, a good work force and an opportunity to earn a fair return on investment
Create and support diverse forms of cultural and recreational activities for everyone regardless of age or economic status
Preserve and protect our environment while making it "green".

For our tourist friends, the initiatives work toward providing:

A wide range of quality accommodations
Health and wellness facilities
More family-oriented recreational activities
More events, entertainment and exhibitions
A prevailing attitude of caring, professional service from our retail operators
A unique experience which cannot be found anywhere else — connecting with local history while being embraced by the present.

	1. Urban Design Plan Calistoga's challenge is to maintain a vital economy while being a good place to live and visit without changing its historic western town character. The Urban Design Plan, was commissioned by the City at the recommendation of EVG. It can provide a coherent, balanced plan for all future growth.
	2. Health and Wellness Calistoga's thermal waters can make wellness an integral part of its identity and economic vitality throughout the year. Strategies can be developed so that attractive, modern facilities related to well-being are put in place.
	3. Recreation Calistoga is the gateway to 11,000 acres of pristine trails, a resource vital to its economic health and quality of life, which are in need of proper trail-head facilities. These trails, together with a variety of other recreation related projects, including the creation of a river plaza and a river trail can be integrated into a comprehensive town experience enjoyed by residents as well as wine-tasting visitors.
	4. Shopping Calistoga can create a retail strategy which addresses local needs and fulfills the expectations of the wine country visitor. The Urban Design Plan sets out a framework for basic land use to create an appealing shopping experience while preserving the town's rural character.
	5. Art/Culture/Entertainment Calistoga's multicultural character calls for the creation of venues for cultural and artistic expression, which would enhance the quality of life for residents and serve as a major tourist attraction. Identifying those venues, their location, funding and operation is a priority within the Urban Design Plan.
	6. Traffic/Pedestrian Circulation The Urban Design Plan establishes a network of vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian circulation with the associated parking facilities. These networks are essential to the town's quality of life and economic prosperity.
	7. Government Roles and Resources CVG will work closely with and help expedite the City's projects in planning, monitoring and controlling land use, enacting ordinances, and funding various projects needed and desired by the community.
	8. Immediate Improvements More and better signs, more public restrooms, better street plantings, spruced-up store fronts, and cleaned-up riverbank vegetation are just a few of the things that can happen almost overnight by forming volunteer task forces working with the City.
	9. Tourism/Marketing Each initiative will help improve tourism in Calistoga by making it more attractive while maintaining the town's unique character. The Chamber of Commerce, the City, and local merchants can work together on an organized campaign involving brand definition, facilities, and strategic communications.
	10. Service Excellence CVG can help business owners and their employees make service excellence a top priority through training programs, self-assessments, "best practices" guides, incentive programs and monitoring systems.