Manhattan city commissioners heard a progress report on the Beyond Tomorrow Downtown Plan at Tuesday’s work session.
Senior Planner Ben Chmiel, with Manhattan’s Community Development Department, presented several different models, showing potential changes for downtown based on future growth and public feedback.
Commissioner Karen McCulloh says she wants the city to be future focused when considering any improvements and be flexible in its zoning requirements downtown.
The plan includes the possibility of additional housing in the downtown area, including senior housing. Commissioner John Matta says he’s been on a committee exploring housing density in that area of town.
Included in the current draft plan are ways to improve walkability. Mayor Wynn Butler commented he’d like to see future partnerships potentially for a shuttle service between downtown and Aggieville.
Downtown Manhattan Inc. Executive Director Gina Snyder says over the years, residents have gravitated more toward ideas like converting Poyntz Ave. into a pedestrian mall with no vehicular traffic.
The city will be presented with a finalized plan for future downtown redevelopment in early April.
