The Market East Advisory Group met on February 17, 2026. During the meeting, City officials and group members reviewed progress so far, finalized the Advisory Group's structure and core principles, and ramped up preparations for long-range planning.

Looking ahead: a long-term vision

With the February meeting, the Advisory Group shifted focus from short-term activations for Market East to developing a long-term plan. This plan will describe a clear vision for the area and the steps to make that vision happen.

Listening to community voices

Focus groups and public roundtable discussions will play an important role in shaping the plan. These sessions will gather input from people who live, work, and spend time in the area of Market East.

Planned focus groups will:

• Include residents, workers, business owners, young people, experts, and community leaders. Several respondents to the City's "I have an idea for Market East" survey were invited to participate.
• Be small and discussion-based.
• Collect real experiences, challenges, and ideas.
• Help build trust and shared responsibility in the planning process.

This approach helps make sure the long-term plan reflects both expert knowledge and everyday experiences.

Work on roundtable sessions and other ways for the public to get involved is also moving forward.

Setting direction and leadership

To guide the work, the Advisory Group approved a charter that explains roles, responsibilities, and how decisions will be made. This helps keep the process clear and organized.

The group also agreed on a set of "North Star" values. These values will guide decisions and help keep everyone focused on shared goals.

An Executive Committee has also been created to help turn ideas into action. This group will refine recommendations and share key priorities with the Mayor, helping maintain progress between full group meetings.

Activating Market East in 2026

Since convening in November 2025, Advisory Group members and partner organizations-including cultural organizations, businesses, and City agencies-have shared many ideas for short-term improvements in Market East.

Some of these projects, or similar ones, are already in progress or being reviewed. Others will take more time and have been moved into the long-term planning process.