Draft Rogers downtown plan presented

ROGERS -- Residents and city officials were presented the latest version of the Roger's downtown plan during three meetings Tuesday.

"We don't want to lose what is already here," Scott Polikov, Gateway Planning president ,said during the meetings. "We want to build on what is already working."

Important Dates

Multiple public meeting are scheduled regarding the rezoning of downtown and the downtown plan. All the meetings will be held at Rogers City Hall, 301 W. Chestnut St.

• July 7: 3:30 p.m. Planning Commission public hearing on the plan

• July 14: 6:30 p.m. City Council public forum on the plan

• July 21: 3:30 p.m. Planning Commission public hearing on zoning changes

• July 28: 6:30 p.m. City Council public forum on zoning changes

Source: Staff Report

Gateway Planning of Texas was contracted by the city to create the plan last year. Several more meetings are scheduled to discuss the plan before it's finalized. Officials plan to have it finalized by the end of the month.

Polikov said it's likely the 154-page plan will be tweaked before approved by the City Council.

A crowd of about 60 were told about four districts in the downtown region identified through the plan. These are the Water Tower District, Victory Row, Frisco Front and the Walnut-Poplar corridors. Each of the districts would have different zoning creating separate experiences for residents and visitors.

For example, the Water Tower District is between Arkansas, Walton, Third and Locust streets. It could be developed as a multi-family region, Polikov said. He said residential, industrial and commercial would be allowed to develop in the area.

Daniel Hintz, contracted by Gateway, said raw data was used to show the private and public sector how to best develop each of the districts. He said the plan gives suggestions about what type of buildings in each district could be used for particular types of businesses.

"We specified more about what the market can handle and what type of business was needed," Hintz said.

Hintz showed pictures of several buildings mentioned in the plan including one at the intersection of Elm and Second Street. The plan suggests the building could be a small grocery store in the future.

Transportation to and from downtown also was mentioned during the meetings. Polikov said there could be an opportunity to use the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad as a transportation option. Tracks for the railroad run through downtown.

Marge Wolf, council member, asked what Gateway officials heard about the public's thoughts on the railroad.

"How many times did the railroad come up?" Wolf asked.

"Multiple Times," Polikov responded.

"As an asset or a detriment?" Wolf asked.

"As an asset," Polikov said. "We did not hear one person who did not think the railway was an opportunity. I think there are some people who would never live by a railway but the younger generation feels differently."

About a dozen residents asked questions during one of the three meetings.

"What is the time-line for this?" Pamela Talley-Parker of Rogers asked. "I have been to lots of meetings like this since '81 and nothing has ever happened."

Polikov said there are signs the plan is already stimulating movement in downtown.

"There is already investment happening in reaction to this plan," Polikov said. "People are opening businesses, people are buying property."

Clay Kendall, council member, agreed with Polikov.

"There is already a lot of traction," Kendall said.

NW News on 07/01/2015

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