1. Booming housing market
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Planned new homes within 3-miles will double number of households (approx. 2,000)
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Capturing mid-higher income housing
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Opportunity for commercial benefit
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Aging road infrastructure and housing stock
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Hesitancy to invest due to political history (private community feedback)
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Access to safe and affordable housing
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2. Commercial redevelopment with increasing competition
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Declining hotels and aging commercial areas
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Development occurring at Lewistown
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Major impact to town revenues
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Aging built environment, with higher costs
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Expansive transportation infrastructure
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Valued location on I-95 and Route 1
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High tech and entrepreneur growth via broadband
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Furthering manufacturing base and business Diversity
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Hesitancy to invest due to political history (private community feedback)
3. Maintaining small-town atmosphere and culture
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Gateways and key undeveloped spaces facing development pressure
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Crafting new development to be compatible with traditional patterns
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Introducing new residents and visitors to Ashland’s diversity
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Maintaining and furthering tourism with the region’s growth
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Future of downtown, railroad, and R-MC as drivers of culture
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Quality of schools and maintaining location
Executive Summary and Getting Started
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The Executive Summary provides a brief overview of the Comprehensive Plan. Getting Started is the first chapter which explains how to read the plan and it's role in making Ashland, Ashland.