Proposed downtown designs unveiled during open house

Designs for the downtown area were on display at an open house Tuesday evening at the Newton City Hall. A presentation was also given by representative from Bolten & Menks, Inc. and Bergland & Cram Architects on the vision they see for the downtown district in Newton.

“We are finishing up the preliminary plan development phase of these two projects,” Landscape Architect Casey Beyers said. “After tonight’s meeting, we’re going to finalize the plan for the streetscape and the draft of the design guidelines.”

Architect Christy King of Bergland & Cram then briefly explained the design guidelines booklet that will be one of the final documents the city receives. Different selections from the guidelines include best practices for storefront awnings, murals, color selection and maintenance.

The entirety of the booklet was available for viewing in more detail following the presentation in the lobby of city hall. The booklet is still a working document as suggestions from community members and city staff continue to come in.

An overview of the streetscape master plan was presented with visuals on what intersections could look like, how decorative paving could enhance the presentation of the downtown and what design work in alleyways could look like.

“We want to focus on re-establishing connections,” Beyers said. “We want to promote pedestrian connections as well as vehicular connections to and from these spaces.”

Intersections were a focus of the design to not only improve the circulation of vehicles but also the crosswalks.

“The way the town square is laid out it kind of creates these offset crosswalks. A lot of them are at an angle and we are going to try to enhance them so the crosswalks are squared up to the intersection. It allows a shorter distance for pedestrian to cross the street and ultimately a lot safer crossing,” Beyers said.

Those in attendance also had the opportunity to vote on preferences on planters, benches, lighting and entrance signage for the downtown. Beyers said the information would be taken into consideration to make a cohesive plan for the downtown.

Another design element that citizens said was important for the downtown that was placed in the design was an event block. The area would be located on the north side of the square and could be defined by decorative paving on the roadway and sidewalk.

“The overall goal and one of the things that came out of the last meeting was more open space, more civic space downtown,” Beyers said.

The two consultants will take the information they received from the open house and continue their work on the design of the area. Ultimately, the city will receive and design guideline booklet and streetscape master plan design for the downtown area.

No firm timeline has been set for work to begin in the area. Director of Planning and Zoning, Erin Chambers said that the consultants were asked to break the design into phases to be implemented over several fiscal years as funds become available.

No funds have been set aside at this time for the downtown design but are expected to be a part of the budget talks in December. However, grants are available through the Historical Preservation Commission for private property owners who want to rehabilitate their facade in accordance to the guidelines.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6434 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com