The Monroe Planning Commission on July 28 heard a summary of public engagement on a proposed downtown “festival lot,” with city economic development coordinator Patrick Doherty reporting that 365 people responded to the June survey and that respondents most often favored a concept that balances open plaza space with a small building and the most parking.

Doherty said the city purchased two properties in December 2023 for the future festival lot and that staff and an architect developed four conceptual options ranging from minimal change to a large town‑square. "We had 365 respondents," Doherty told commissioners, and "the public expressed a clear preference for option 3," a concept that scrapes the site, provides a small retail/visitor center building and about 35 parking spaces.

The discussion mattered because commissioners and the public emphasized competing goals: create a flexible, year‑round gathering place with restrooms and shade while retaining enough parking for downtown businesses and event users. Doherty summarized engagement activities: two in‑person open houses on June 12 and 18, two farmers‑market outreach days, a project webpage and an online survey open throughout June.

Commissioners asked staff to consider variations and hybrid concepts rather than treating the four illustrations as final designs. Commissioner Brandy said parking ranked lower in one survey question but expressed concern the plurality for option 3 may not reflect a decisive majority, noting the total sample was 365. "Parking was ranked number fourth on that," Brandy said, adding that some amenities suggested—such as a splash pad or EV charging—might be better located elsewhere (she pointed to Travelers Park as an example).

Other commissioners stressed safety, year‑round activation and flexible programming. Commissioner Tony argued that building design and an active presence matter for perceived safety, saying, "what made people feel safe is something that attracted a lot of people," and supported a visitor‑center role if it created steady presence and indoor restrooms. Several commissioners suggested design tweaks to increase parking without losing plaza functionality; Commissioner Bob proposed a midpoint between the large open option and the more parking‑oriented option.

Doherty said option details include approximate parking counts: option 2 about 30 spaces, option 3 about 35 spaces and option 4 about 15 spaces, and emphasized the concepts are illustrative rather than final designs. He also noted ideas raised by the public: shaded/covered areas, public restrooms, family‑friendly programming, small retail/pop‑up kiosks and potential EV charging to attract highway travelers on US 2.

On next steps, Doherty said staff will compile board and commission feedback and present the results to the Parks Board and then to City Council in September. Council could either select a preferred concept, request a hybrid, or direct schematic design. If Council approves schematic design, Doherty said schematic design work could begin in 2026 subject to budget approval.

No formal vote on a festival‑lot concept occurred at the meeting; commissioners provided feedback for staff to include in materials that will go to Council.