Ideas for City Square concept shared

    Ideas for Imperial’s City Square concept drew discussion during the first official planning meeting conducted Tuesday night by Jennie Kozal, community planner with Miller & Associates.
    The city obtained matching grant funds for a feasibility study for a city square concept on the city block that includes the library, city offices and city gym.
    The planning phase is necessary to apply for matching grant construction funds.
    Tuesday’s meeting was held to seek public input on what people envision for the block that also includes two grassy areas and parking for the library and city facilities.
    The area has been used for the past five Smokin’ on Broadway events.
    Twelve members of the community were present to share ideas, which will be combined with input from an online community survey on the project.
    Kozal said the survey has already drawn 87 responses and she would like to see that double before the July 23 deadline. She noted community input and involvement is key in the grant application process.
    Kozal encouraged the community to “dream big” when considering options for the space.
    Miller & Associates created some designs for the council several years ago that included some shaded areas as part of the library parking.
    She urged participants to expand on the idea that several participants felt was no more than just a parking area.
    Some ideas shared during the meeting included a defining entrance to the area, like an arch or bricked entrance with sidewalk leading to a raised flower bed and seating or foundation as a focal centerpoint of the property.
    Another idea called for moving some parking areas to create more green space to tie the existing grassy areas together.
    Input from the surveys and meeting will be used to develop some concepts for another community input meeting this fall.