HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – Representatives from High Plains Architects will be in Havre this Tuesday evening to present a draft of the Downtown Master Plan.
Debbie Vandeberg of the Downtown Havre Matters! Steering Committee says the event will take place from 5:30-6:30 PM at City Hall, and there will be plenty of time for public comment.
“It’s a great opportunity and we really invite the community to please come and share their ideas and ask questions and provide input. Because this will be the last time that input can be shared with High Plains Architects.”
This will be the final meeting between the public and High Plains Architects. Back in April, a first meeting was held, and the team at High Plains presented some of their initial ideas to revitalize downtown.
Project Designer Brad Kahler says that his team took a close look at the input and have made some adjustments, including some alternative options for 1st Street/U.S. 2 and making Milk River recreation more accessible.
“The impression (is) that a median would drastically improve safety, and overall, just public comfort on 1st Street. So that’s still one of the Master Plan kind of goal/design items. We are also proposing just a side route for oversize loads. I know the big concern coming from the Ag community was getting combines through back and forth to either side of town, and some of the mega loads you guys have had come through in the recent past. So we’re trying to take all that into consideration but also keeping in mind that the City of Havre and its patrons and pedestrians, there safety should take the primary role there.”
“We’re proposing some added focus and attention be given to the river access for recreation. Its immediate proximity to downtown is a major asset that, much like Billings, is being underutilized and has a lot more potential than it’s being afforded.”
Public comment can also be accepted by emailing DowntownHavre@gmail.com.
The final document for the Master Plan is expected to be finalized in the next few weeks, according to Kahler.
More information can be found at DowntownHavre.com.
