Work on developing an updated Downtown Master Plan, which began in March of last year, reached an important milestone at last week's ad hoc committee meeting. Following an initial evaluation on March 24, the selection committee convened for final interviews on April 1 and voted to recommend moving forward with MKSK as the city's planning consultant.

MKSK presented a comprehensive approach to downtown planning built around community engagement, data analysis, and stakeholder collaboration. The firm drew on experience in comparable projects in cities including Toledo and Decatur, with an emphasis on resiliency, transportation, and economic development.

Contract negotiations with MKSK are anticipated to begin in mid-April, with the hope of finalizing engagement details soon thereafter. Planning General Manager Ryan Chapdelain indicated that staff are now targeting the May 18 City Commission meeting to bring both the proposal and contract before the commission for approval. A full master plan committee meeting with the consultant is anticipated in mid-June, marking the formal launch of the planning process.

Notably, of the three firms originally shortlisted for consideration, only MKSK advanced to the final interview stage. When a committee member asked why the other two firms had withdrawn, Procurement General Manager Renee Hayes indicated she was bound by solicitation requirements that prevented her from disclosing the reasons, saying she could not disclose the reasons for either withdrawal and could only confirm that they had occurred.

It appears the next public consideration of the MKSK proposal will come before the City Commission in mid-May. Residents can expect more opportunities for community input as the project moves forward. Stay tuned for updates.