The Plan is intended for use by all local residents, leaders, organizations, businesses, institutions, and future investors and residents as a blueprint for a new course of action in Spruce Hill. Defining qualities of this niche are streetcar neighborhood, distinctive architecture, easy access to central city employment and cultural amenities, and a highly academic atmosphere. Current demographic trends show decreasing economic diversity. It is necessary both to foster economic and ethnic diversity and an increase in the number of middle income households. The planning process has involved a series of steps to ensure that the Spruce Hill Community Renewal Plan is a resident-driven strategy.
Resident input is largely responsible for shaping the specific strategies found in the Plan.
The task force maintains full responsibility for the final version of the Spruce Hill Community Renewal Plan. A list of task force members is found on the inside cover of the plan. The planning team was led by the Office's Program Director N.R. Popkin with assistance from Anne Marie Flatley, Deborah Mahanger, Gregory Nesmith, and Harmon Zuckerman. The task force sponsored a neighborhood survey, designed to gain input on community needs ranging from city services and education to housing, taxes, and retail. 191 individuals responded to the survey, which was published in the Weekly Press.