Midway liaison previews Town Square master plan, warns $600,000 grant requires roughly $1.2 million match

A city council liaison told the Midway City Planning Commission that the Town Square master plan — begun in 2021 with consultant IBI — would reconfigure the downtown core to create pedestrian promenades, add seating and shade, and provide hookups for food trucks during events.

"We did receive a grant for $600,000 and we need to spend about 1000000 dollars to be able to get that grant. I think it's 1,200,000 we'll need to spend and that that has to happen fairly quickly," the liaison said. He described proposed promenades running north‑south and east‑west, new trees and seating areas, a pavilion and a concert area, and said the plan seeks to make Town Square a community gathering place.

The liaison said a steering committee has reviewed options and that the city council will make final decisions on phasing and design. He noted the council held a work meeting and that staff will bring the item back for further council consideration; the liaison characterized the first phase as the priority to secure grant funds.

Planning commissioners asked about parking impacts when portions of the surface lot are removed; staff said the plan contemplates relocating the lot to the square's edge and adding curbside parking on nearby streets to achieve a net parking gain.

The liaison framed the master plan as part of the city's general plan and said officials will continue public outreach and review of phasing before council action.