A performing arts center. New city halls. Only one set of train tracks running through downtown. No more one-way avenues in downtown Fargo.
They're all possibilities, and they were all on display Tuesday as the public got its last chance to review recommendations for the future of downtown Fargo- Moorhead.
Open houses were held in each city's downtown to allow citizens to review the latest draft of the Downtown Framework Plan. The plan is an update of similar downtown plans adopted by Moorhead in 2000 and by Fargo in 2002.
The latest draft incorporates input from a steering committee and about 50 people who attended a planning session in Moorhead in October, said Bob Kost of project consultant Short Elliot Hendrickson Inc. of Minneapolis.
One theme arising from that session was that people from cities want the two downtowns to feel more seamless and connected, Kost said.
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As a result, one recommendation is to enhance the Red River bridges at First Avenue North and NP Avenue/Center Avenue with new railings and streetscape elements. Revamping Fargo's Main Avenue also would help link it with redevelopment on the Moorhead side, he said.
A final draft of the plan will be presented to city leaders for review next month.
Paul Gleye, chairman of Fargo's Historic Preservation Commission, was one of about 20 people who had attended the Fargo open house by 1 p.m. Tuesday. Gleye scribbled down notes on a comment sheet as he looked at each recommendation.
"Generally, I think they're really outstanding because they respect the context and existing historical development and fill around them," he said.
Fargo Senior Planner Bob Stein said the plan also serves as somewhat of a marketing tool because it removes doubts among developers about the types of land use being considered downtown.
Online
- Draft plan: www.fmmetrocog.org
Readers can reach Forum reporter
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Mike Nowatzki at (701) 241-5528
