This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
Longmont City Council discussed an update to the Main Street Corridor plan at their meeting on Tuesday, January 29th. This plan was initiated back in August of 2018, with the goal of the project being to reinvigorate the Main Street Corridor by adding to existing assets that are currently there. The update was presented by Erin Fosdick.
The plan doesn’t call for the reinvention of Main Street, rather it calls for the identification of spots where some new businesses, new public spaces, and new housing could be added along the corridor.
The intention of the discussion on Tuesday night was to give the council a chance to provide feedback to staff on whether the project plan was in line with the Longmont City Council work plan. As part of the analysis of Main Street, city staff have identified four unique character areas of the corridor based on given characteristics of each area. These four are presently defined as being from Highway 66 to 17th Avenue, 17th Avenue to 11th Avenue, 11th Avenue to St. Vrain Creek, and St. Vrain Creek to Plateau Road.
One suggestion that was discussed at the meeting was put forward by Mayor Pro Tem Polly Christensen. “I would suggest that we consider changes to our land code to allow greater height (of buildings) along the Main Street Corridor… this is a way to create density in places where it can take it because this is not a residential area,” stated Christensen.
Main focuses of the revitalization plan will be to ensure that the historical significance of Longmont’s Main Street is highlighted and maintained, safety and mobility are ensured across all modes, and that there is a cohesive sense of both identity and place along the corridor as aesthetic improvements are made.
“I do have concerns that, rather than incentivizing, we will be mandating that smaller businesses and property owners conform to whatever vision we have when they aren’t able to do that financially,” said Council Member Bonnie Finley. “So incentives would be important to me for those smaller businesses in particular so they can continue to thrive.”
City Council will continue to be involved with this plan as it moves forward into the future, and their hope is to create a thriving public space that all Longmont community members can enjoy and be proud of for decades to come.
