Central forms downtown working group to focus on signage, sidewalks and vacant buildings

The town administrator told the council on April 14 that a volunteer working group has been convened to move downtown ideas into action. The group will prioritize short-term items, mid-term projects, and long-term work and report progress back to the working group and council committees.

The working group's five near-term priorities are a new Town of Central logo and signage; a comprehensive push for sidewalks and improved walkability including a downtown crosswalk; creation of small 'pocket' parks to make downtown more attractive; traffic-flow improvements in the core business district; and a strategy to reduce vacant buildings through incentives and stronger ordinance enforcement.

Volunteers named in the meeting include Ed Young, Ed Reynolds (Martin), Kather(e)n Wood (main street director), Justin Raiky and others; the administrator said the group assigned short-term actions to volunteers who will provide updates next month. The mayor noted the items will involve multiple council committees, including marketing, finance and tourism and economic development.

Why it matters: These items are intended to improve downtown economic vitality and walkability and may lead to future budget requests or ordinance changes; the working group is the first step toward a coordinated implementation plan.

Next steps: Volunteers will report progress next month and council committees will be involved when items require formal council action.