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Morgantown agency updates strategic plan, broadens Greenbelt committee to ‘Green Space’ and discusses small-area plan for Lower Greenmont
Summary
Agency staff translated the strategic plan into an action list, the Greenbelt committee was renamed to cover broader green space tasks, and members discussed using CDBG and other funds to plan a Lower Greenmont small-area plan; funding still requires approvals.
The Morgantown Land Reuse Agency presented a translated strategic plan and agreed to broaden its Greenbelt committee’s scope to a wider “Green Space” focus, while discussing planning funds and next steps for a small-area plan for Lower Greenmont.
Caitlin, agency staff, said the strategic-plan update has been transposed into a color-coded working document and most committee action lists are complete; the green-belt/green-space items remain to be incorporated. Jessica, a board member, and other members discussed committee roles and how to balance tasks across committees.
Staff reported that the 2025 CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) action plan includes funding set aside for a green-space project in Lower Greenmont, but that those funds must still clear city council and HUD approvals and are intended for planning and related work rather than acquisition. One participant said CDBG funding for that green-space work would likely be available around September or October.
Board members agreed to expand the Greenbelt committee’s name and remit to “Green Space” to allow the group to handle conservation, park and open-space tasks and to shepherd proposed acquisitions and improvements. The conversation emphasized collaboration across committees — property-management tasks will continue to focus on acquisitions intended for agency management, while Green Space will help guide planning and stewardship.
Members also reviewed precedent small-area plans (including examples from North Potomac Yard and Asheville) as models for a Lower Greenmont plan. Staff said such plans typically include vision statements, urban-design concepts, implementation tasks and funding strategies; if the board intends the small-area plan to become a formal city guidance document, it would require planning commission and city-council processes for adoption.
Staff proposed community engagement steps such as neighborhood walk-throughs and stakeholder meetings; members suggested coordinating with the Greenmont Neighborhood Association and scheduling workshops structured to avoid creating a quorum for the agency. Staff will return with recommendations on a plan process and potential funding pathways, including CDBG and congressional direct spending opportunities.
