In May, 1999, Fregonese Associates began working with the Town of Jackson, Wyoming on a comprehensive planning project for the downtown core. The purpose of the project, dubbed "Town as Heart of Region," is to enable downtown to become a vibrant, walkable, mixed-use center. The project involved many facets including an in-depth examination of existing codes, parking analysis, redevelopment analysis, and a step-by-step public involvement process. Throughout the project, GIS data was developed and maintained for use as tools for analysis.

As part of the project, Site Design Review Codes were produced. FA led the process of examining existing codes, developing new codes and modifying and adopting these new codes with the help of city leaders, staff, and the public. FA also conducted a parking analysis and assisted in developing a Parking Strategy for downtown Jackson, which included a revision to existing parking codes. FA conducted a thorough review of the current parking standards and trained city staff to conduct an evaluation of the actual local parking demand.

A Redevelopment Opportunities Analysis is a centerpiece of the project. The task was to determine the feasibility of adding 1,200 units to the downtown core, the probable location of these units, as well as policy obstacles to their construction. To conduct this analysis, a combined Redevelopment and Parking Model was developed. This innovative spreadsheet and GIS based model calculates redevelopment potential by conducting a proforma real-estate calculation on each parcel using allowable zoning densities, future land use assumptions, local residential and commercial rents, as well as construction, acquisition, and demolition costs as inputs.

The model was also developed to estimate both suburban and shared parking demand both before and after various redevelopment scenarios. Many of the model's assumptions could be manipulated to demonstrate the effects of various policy decisions. Based on this analysis, the current zoning was reviewed and draft modifications were prepared to remove policy obstacles to development while establishing standards that meet community expectations.