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Herington advances downtown revitalization planning; survey open ahead of community workshop and CDBG discussion
Summary
City staff updated the Herington City Commission on an EPA Brownfields area-wide planning effort, announced an open community survey through March 14 and scheduled steering‑committee review and an April community design workshop.
City staff gave the commission an update on an EPA Brownfields area-wide planning and revitalization effort, describing recent public engagement, next steps for design work and upcoming grant-related discussions.
Staff said a visioning session was held Feb. 3 with 28 people signing in and additional residents providing input through an online survey and paper copies. The survey is open through March 14; paper copies are available at the community center (CVV) and the public library. The consultant SanTek is compiling engagement results, market analysis and an “ignition” analysis and will prepare draft designs. A steering committee including City Manager Thatcher, Commissioner Cynthia Naylor, members of the planning commission and local business representatives will meet the week of March 17 to review findings. Staff said a community design workshop is expected to be scheduled in April.
Commissioners were reminded that the comprehensive plan has been distributed and that the commission will discuss priorities and possible Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) projects at the March 18 meeting. Staff said a CDBG expert may present at that meeting to explain eligible projects, the application process and matching requirements. The city will seek commissioner guidance on candidate projects to prioritize for grant application.
Staff also reported that the Logan Pointe housing units are on the market. City staff said low- and moderate-income buyers may qualify for state rebates and that the city will circulate a chart outlining income thresholds and conditions attached to such rebates. The chart and a point of contact will be emailed to commissioners.
Commissioners and staff emphasized maintenance and streetscape improvements, better local communications (newsletter/website updates), and recreational and event programming as recurring themes from the visioning session. Steering-committee membership named in the packet included Jessica Goodale (Dickinson County Economic Development Corporation), Lisa Slazner, Corky Dunlap, Leanne Urbani and Dustin Henson as local business and stakeholder representatives.
Next steps: SanTek will produce draft design concepts for the downtown revitalization; steering committee and community workshops will follow; the commission will review the comprehensive plan and discuss CDBG project priorities at its March 18 meeting.
