NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce CEO Debra Teufel is looking forward to the unveiling of the Downtown Hutch Master Plan with Olsson Studios. She spoke to the Hutchinson City Council about it on Nov. 21.
"That would not have been possible if, last year, and over the course of the recent few years, we weren't partnering to prioritize downtown and look to the future of downtown through many lenses," Teufel said. "Also, through the lense of philanthropy. It was noted that the community foundation plays an important role in our community. They have been very integral in being part of a technical committee that looked at how we enhance downtown."
The foundation, Laura Meyer Dick and other funders helped raise matching dollars to help fund the master plan. The City also provided half of the funding.
"We're excited that we were able to hire a professional firm like Olsson Studios to deliver a master plan process that is going to be a guidebook for the coming decade of downtown," Teufel said. "It looked at several things. It looked at what we have now, the critical mass of downtown, the economic vibrancy that we have, the redevelopment that has already occurred, but then gives us a roadmap of other ways that we can enhance our downtown. That's both from a transportation perspective, a built environment, a programming environment, as well as marketing and promotion."
Teufel encourages everyone to be a part of the unveiling event.
"Come out to Memorial Hall," Teufel said. "We thought it was appropriate that it be at Memorial Hall, because that's in the core of our downtown and such a historic property that also has some challenges and needs for the future. I think it will be part of this plan. We will meet there on Nov. 30 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. It will be a public open house, very similar to the style that Olsson Studios held where we had the charettes there. They will unveil their findings, but also give opportunity for comment and they'll take all of that final comment and finalize the report that you will get fully in final form in a few weeks."
Olsson also wants to meet with the City Council and the Planning Commission in December to flesh out their ideas. The date of that meeting has not yet been set.
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