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Tying those recommendations to the comprehensive plan helps council prioritize and start moving on the suggestions, city manager Scott Dadson said during a city council workshop Tuesday.
"If it's organized in this fashion, we know what to do with it," Dadson said.
Study group members -- appointed by city council earlier this year -- met for about 120 days and presented their report and recommendations to council in August.
"Some of them are weak," councilman Mike Sutton said. "Others are hugely strong and can be done now."
A new Urban and Community Design Center sits high on many peoples' lists of priorities, officials and group members said during the meeting. That type of center would help residents maneuver through the redevelopment process and identify available financial tools like grants, loans and tax breaks, they said.
More than five years ago, a separate group formed a non profit organization to create a similar center that never materialized, study group chairman Pete Palmer said. The organization was never dissolved. Study group members are meeting today to discuss picking up where the original group left off.
Any revitalization efforts need support from Quadrant residents to succeed, Palmer said. The real trick, he said, is offering incentives and making residents feel the city is supportive.
Historic Beaufort Foundation executive director Evan Thompson worked closely with the study group and said it's a good sign that many of the general principals and goals outlined in its report match those of the proposed Comprehensive Plan. The group didn't have the city's plan to work with during the 120-day period, Palmer said, and it is ready to formally match its recommendations with that document.
