Arcata City Council adopted the city’s 2026-31 Economic Strategic Plan on Sept. 16, setting a framework for what officials called “good growth” after a yearlong community planning process. The council meeting recording shows the motion passed after a presentation from city staff and Civic Possible, the consultant that helped coordinate the plan.
The plan includes 25 potential actions. Five were identified as near-term priorities: creating a master plan for Arcata Plaza, pursuing trail-town recognition, developing trailfront design standards, creating destination branding and developing a reuse strategy for the city-owned Little Lakes parcel.
City Manager Merit Perry said the plan was shaped by 56 one-on-one interviews, 256 survey responses and two participatory planning workshops. The process focused on defining “good growth” as economic development tied to quality of life, housing, infrastructure, environmental protection and community participation, rather than simply measuring jobs or investment, according to the meeting presentation.
The Little Lakes site, an approximately 11-acre city-owned parcel, was discussed as a possible location for recreational lodging such as RV or bike camping, along with marsh access. Staff also described trailfront standards as a way to guide businesses that may want to connect to the Annie and Mary Trail and other trails.
The plan is intended to be carried out with multiple partners, including businesses, residents, Cal Poly Humboldt and community organizations. Staff said the city still needs to establish an implementation and convening structure, identify capacity and shared indicators, and return periodically to the council and community with updates.
Perry said staff would bring forward recommendations on staffing, services, coaching and project funding as part of future budget discussions. The meeting record did not identify a dedicated implementation budget or staffing level for the plan.
