The first phase of the city of Sedona’s online survey on future uses for the Sedona Cultural Park ended on Nov. 15. The survey, which asked residents to rank a range of suggestions in nine categories covering proposed recreational, housing and commercial uses, received a total of 579 responses.

Overall, respondents ranked community amenities as their highest priority for the site, with a score of 1,216 from 470 votes, followed by housing with a score of 968 from 413 votes and shops and services with a score of 465 from 342 votes.

In the Recreation division, a neighborhood park received the highest score of 2,053 from 459 rankings, while the very similar options for open space scored 1,739 based on 430 rankings and a “public plaza” 1,202 based on 353 rankings. Walking paths scored 1,397 from 419 rankings, compared to shared-use paths at 1,268 from 407 rankings. A recreation center was rated at 1,310 by 343 respondents, and a community garden at 1,217 by 348 respondents.

A full restoration of the existing 5,000-seat amphitheater scored 1,009 based on 306 votes, while a 2,000-seat restoration was scored at 924 on the basis of 279 votes and a 500-seat restoration at 690 from 241 votes, for a total score of 2,623 for some kind of amphitheater. The option to exclude an amphitheater altogether scored 696 based on 249 rankings.

The top four Housing options offered to respondents received similar scores, with apartments leading at 1,403 and 308 rankings, followed by undefined “patio/garden/carriage homes” with 1,237 and 288, duplexes and triplexes at 1,203 and 279 and townhomes at 1,165 and 285.

The survey also included questions related to housing allocation. A mix of ownership and rentals scored 953 based on 351 votes, while rentals scored 561 on 246 votes and ownership coming last at 391 with 212 votes. A total of 420 rankings gave a score of 1,165 to rent-controlled workforce housing. Senior housing scored 607 based on 311 votes and rent-controlled seasonal or temporary workforce housing came last with a score of 471 based on 262 votes.

Commercial and Retail options received the lowest scores. A park-and-ride location for the city’s transit system ranked as the most popular option with a score of 1,319 from 329 votes, followed by a coffee shop with a score of 1,065 from 365 votes. The restaurant option scored 856 on 315 votes, higher than the convenience store with a score of 762 and 277 votes.

Options for museums and a theatre were included in the Commercial categories. Museums received a score of 992 from 255 votes and a theatre a score of 939 from 256 votes. Public art, which was included in the Recreation category, scored 1,196 based on 369 responses.

When total scores for similar options are combined, housing scored 5,008, various forms of open space 4,994, an amphitheater restoration of some kind 2,623, and building more trails, 2,665.

Two hundred and thirty-seven written comments were submitted by the 579 survey respondents to amplify or comment on their rankings. Forty comments called for the revitalization of the amphitheater as a music and performance venue, while seven comments said that no amphitheater should be included. Fifty-seven respondents asked for housing to be included, while 29 wanted no housing. Twenty comments called for the park’s preservation as open space. Six comments requested one or more museums be included in the planning process.

In addition, although the survey was specifically about the long-term uses for the Cultural Park, 12 respondents went out of the way to state that no homeless camps should be included in the new master plan. Voters rejected the city’s proposed Safe Place to Park homeless car camp by 64% in a referendum on the Nov. 5 general election.

Noteworthy comments included:

• “I was here when we voted on the land swap that allowed the Cultural Park to exist. We were promised it would never be a built-up housing or tourist area … Honor the promise you made so long ago.”
• “No reference to artists’ lofts/ ateliers or other areas for creative work.”
• “Interesting that the survey is slanted towards what the city already has in mind. For example, you ask and leave a space for a response for “no amphitheater” but automatically assume housing of some form is wanted.”
• “The Cultural Park is rocky hilly terrain where construction is expensive. To avoid a financial fiasco, do not build housing there.”
• “Build little studios with half kitchens and 3/4 baths.”
• “We certainly know there will be no workforce housing due to the raise in permit fees.”
• “I would love to see this property include an active artists’ colony that is permanent and creates housing for artists in residence.”
• “Would like to see an arts college.”
• “The idea of congested brown stucco boxes with spray foam insulation squeezed in as many as possible with above-ground power lines and toilet to tap water to meet the growing needs does not sound appealing. You cannot improve upon something that is perfect the way it is.”
• “Water park.”
• “I know you want to add housing … already been decided. But long-term it should be a community space.”
• “Dorm-style housing for workers with shuttles to Uptown.”
• “Observatory.”
• “Affordable ownership. Tiny homes for those that want to own the land and not have to pay ground rent forever.”
• “This place was never intended as housing; this was a place for music, art and culture.”
• “Stop harassing people who live in their vehicles. Stop harassing the locals. Fire and limit the police who are abusing their use of force and power.”
• “The options provided in this survey reflect an alarming detachment from reality … and demonstrates a lack of cognizance to community desires centered around the arts. Housing, shops and services have absolutely no business occupying that space and every single community amenity that is listed here is already provided throughout the city of Sedona.”
• “Community gardens and greenhouses … also a peace park.”

The full survey results and comments can be viewed here.