A PLANNING EFFORT FOR MAIN STREET, CITY PARKS
An open house at City Hall gave the general public its first look at concepts for an ambitious planning effort for Platte City’s downtown and parks system.
A large crowd turned out last Wednesday, Dec. 17 to view design concepts and renderings of what the city’s downtown and parks system could look like in the future, as the city hopes to one day have the funds to work on enhancing its historic downtown and the courthouse square.
You can find all the concepts, plans, designs and more information at planplattecity.com
The plans, developed by RDG Planning and Design of Des Moines, Ia. after gathering public input, focus on improving connectivity, enhancing streetscapes, and reimagining the city’s parks and trails. Goals including to enhance the city’s existing amenities and propose new features.
The plan identifies possible initiatives and offers guidance for creating a stronger downtown district.
Members of the public gathered at the informal open house to view the concepts and offer input. The public was given the opportunity to rank the concepts in order of preference.
Cory Scott, senior partner and urban planner for RDG, has said “the spirit of the plan is to help the business community that exists here today improve the function and aesthetics of downtown.”
After the open house was over, Scott said there was a lot of enthusiasm expressed by many of those in attendance.
“Attendees expressed strong enthusiasm for the future of downtown and broad agreement that it should remain a community priority. Many participants appreciated that the city is leading an intentional planning process to guide future investments. In particular, the illustrative concepts for Main Street resonated with the public, generating excitement about making the street more accessible, more attractive, and a stronger destination for existing and future businesses,” Scott told The Landmark.
Planners say ultimately the hope is to create memories for people to think of Platte City as a place to visit, a place to do business and a place to live.
The proposals explore ways to enhance business retention and attraction, improve traffic flow downtown, address ADA compliance for sidewalks and parking, and update building facades.
Main Street currently has numerous accessibility challenges for pedestrians. Many building entrances have steps that make it hard for people with mobility challenges to get in, and the sidewalks are often too steep, which doesn’t meet ADA standards.
Some sidewalk ramps are worn, and there’s no clear walking path near the First and Main Street intersection.
RDG also noted that a few drains and downspouts send water across the sidewalk, which should be addressed in future upgrades.
Some of the mobility concepts displayed suggest realigning the current quirky intersection of Main Street/Fourth Street/Marshall Road.
A possibility suggests moving the intersection south and attempting to preserve existing development. The plan shows alignment with the alley to provide ease of serviceability for loading. An alternative scenario suggests realigning Marshall Road to Main Street.
It also considers adding public gathering spaces such as parks and plaza areas.
City officials, including Hoeger, emphasize none of the ideas will happen immediately, “but if we don’t know what we’re doing none of them would ever happen.”
The city will have the opportunity to evaluate the projects through future budgeting processes. Hoeger told The Landmark there may in the future be some state, and perhaps federal, funding assistance available to assist with projects.
If any improvements require city debt, those projects would need to be approved by voters.
In September of 2024, the Platte County Commission approved a cooperative agreement between Platte County and Platte City that has each party funding half of the $50,000 local match required as part of a $135,000 federal planning grant that was awarded to the city and county.
The grant has been used to fund the Downtown Platte City and Platte County Courthouse Square Planning sustainable places study.
Platte County Administrator Wes Minder and Platte City’s interim City administrator at the time, DJ Gehrtt, worked together on the application which was submitted to the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC).
Minder commented that “This planning grant has the potential to lead to transformative changes in Downtown Platte City and is part of the county’s efforts to effect positive change here in Platte City.”
Though the open house has concluded, Scott said input is still being accepted.
“Community input remains an important part of the planning process. The open house exhibits are available on the project website at engagerdg.com/planplattecity, and residents are encouraged to continue sharing feedback through the site,” he explained.
“While the plan serves as a guiding framework and does not commit the city to moving forward with any specific initiative, public feedback continues to inform its refinement. The illustrative graphics were intended to spark conversation and communicate a long-term vision, and one of the most common requests was for greater clarity around implementation, specifically, the timeline, funding strategies, and partnerships needed to move the plan from vision to reality,” Scott said.
WHAT HAPPENS
FROM HERE?
Scott explained that in January, RDG will refine the concepts presented at the open house based on public input and begin preparing a draft plan document that clearly communicates the recommendations and overall vision.
In February, the Downtown Plan Advisory Committee will review the draft and provide guidance to improve organization, clarity, and alignment with community feedback.
Later in February or March, the finalized downtown plan will be presented to the Platte City Board of Aldermen for consideration.
