Revitalization Plan Offered, Public Comment Requested

In January 2015, the City of Glasgow and Two Rivers Economic Growth began working with Land Solutions, LLC on developing a Downtown Revitalization Plan for Glasgow. A draft version of the plan is currently available for public review at planglasgow.com.

The plan is intended to serve as a guide for improving the economic conditions and aesthetic aspects of downtown Glasgow. The plan is action-oriented, with the intent that the city, Two Rivers, and partnering organizations will use it to achieve measurable results.

With that in mind, the plan identifies broad strategies and specific short, medium, and long term actions for revitalizing downtown Glasgow. The strategies and actions are organized around four broad themes: organization, design, economic development, and branding and promotion.

To help guide the development of the plan, Land Solutions, in conjunction with the city and Two Rivers, has conducted a community survey, organized a public open house, and interviewed numerous residents, business owners, and civic leaders. Through this public outreach process several key issues arose, including downtown parking, pedestrian access to downtown, and better signage directing motorists from Highway 2 to downtown.

These issues, as well as many others, are addressed through the strategies and actions identified in the plan.

Contacted for comment, Two Rivers Executive Director Dave Pippin describes Land Solutions, a community planning group hired by the city, in positive terms: "They've been involved in a lot of development projects. I've had a chance to spend some time with them and we're pretty excited. They've given us every opportunity to provide input with the understanding that we're the ones who have to live here. It's been a process, but it's working out well so far."

The draft plan is scheduled to be reviewed by the City of Glasgow Planning Board at a public hearing on Wednesday, June 17, at City Council Chambers. Public attendance and input is encouraged. More information on the plan and public hearing can be obtained from Stacey Amundson or Robert Kompel with the City of Glasgow at 406-228-2476, or Dave DeGrandpre of Land Solutions, at 406-885-7526.