After final public meeting, council will decide on City Square’s next step

A group of interested local citizens gathered at the library last week to hear the results of the public surveys and examine three different design concepts for potential development of Imperial City Square.
The feasibility study was prepared by Miller & Associates of Kearney with community planner Jennie Kozal as the speaker.
“Surveys were collected at a previous public meeting and an online survey generated 222 responses,” Kozal said.
The surveys revealed that the top three events the responders thought should have priority for design consideration were Smokin’ on Broadway, the Farmer’s Market and concerts, she said.
The top three amenities mentioned were shade structures, public restrooms and a splash pad, which she thought was quite interesting.
“The current existing recreational amenities are on the perimeter of the town. The city square would bring something centrally and act as an anchor for the downtown area,” she added.
The buildings already in the space (library, city offices and gym) wouldn’t change.
Some of the main points to consider with any design, Kozal explained, was creating space, drawing people in through gateway entries and keeping them there, plus arranging a stage area so as to point noise away from residential areas.
Each of the three conceptual designs had some similar aspects but with different focuses.
This prompted a great deal of discussion among attendees, as well as suggestions to alter each design—in some cases, to incorporate an idea or two from each plan into one design.
The discussion was energetic concerning different uses of the stage and what design would best work.
Of importance to most people at the meeting was a focus on gathering spaces for multiple activities and directing foot traffic advantageously.
All three conceptual options had similarities and addressed the uses the community would like to see available but with some obvious differences, Kozal said.
“These options can be adjusted to suit the community’s needs, and I am interested in hearing your opinions,” she said.
Option one was called “The Fountain Plaza,” which directed foot traffic in and through a gateway that was esthetically appealing using fountains and water features along with other areas of interest.
Some opinions leaned toward the beauty of including water features while others voiced problems that can arise with them.
Option two, “The Main Event,” focused more on a lead focal point like the stage and audience area, as well as the Farmer’s Market area.
The third option was called “Gathering Spaces,” which focuses on more and different activities within the space.
“This option has sites like a shaded patio for lounging, a band stand, kid zone, personal recharge area and an organic interaction green space for multiple uses. This option could more easily be done in phases as money becomes available,” Kozal said.
All three of the options had a different focal point yet still incorporated a number of similar ideas, she added.
Opinions were varied on what was considered important or necessary and spurred a spirited discussion that garnered mutual agreement for certain ideas and an occasional shaking of the head.
Kozal discussed at length the importance of site interaction within the areas for long-term enjoyment by the community regardless of age, interests, events held there or activities on an individual basis.
“It all depends on what the majority of the community would get the most use and enjoyment out of as well as the cost,” said Kozal.
She revisited the fact that some plans could be accomplished in phases, too.
By the end of the meeting, Kozal said she felt she had an understanding that helped bring the design concept closer to a more common goal.
“I will be sharing ideas and comments from this meeting with Tyler Pribbeno (Imperial Community Development Director) followed by a presentation to the city council for approval after the first of the year,” said Kozal.
The next step would be submitting another application to the Civic and Community Center Financing Fund for approval of an actual construction grant, which, like the study, will require a 50% local match, she added.