Monroe — City staff presented four concept options and a public engagement plan on May 13 for the city‑owned “festival lot” downtown and the council agreed to proceed with public outreach.

Patrick Tardy and consultant Liam McCorkle described the festival lot as a flexible public plaza envisioned in Monroe’s 2008 downtown master plan and reiterated the city’s December 2023 purchase of two adjacent parcels (about 1.5 acres) intended for the site. McCorkle said the team developed four concept alternatives that range from renovating and activating the existing former Union Bank building and creating a small plaza (least change) to fully redeveloping the site as a dedicated town square with a new building, plaza, vendor kiosks and limited parking (most change). “These are concepts. These are not designs,” McCorkle emphasized during the presentation.

Concepts summarized by staff included:

• Option 1 — renovate the existing Union Bank building, demolish the former chiropractor building, add modest plaza space and largely retain parking (about 25 spaces);

• Option 2 — renovate the bank building, create a more dedicated plaza immediately west of the bank and reconfigure parking (similar total parking);

• Option 3 — demolish existing structures and build a new plaza and new mixed retail/visitor center building with approximately 35 parking spaces and more dedicated plaza area; and

• Option 4 — a full “town square” approach: plaza and event space as the primary use with a smaller line of parking and plaza amenities (play area, vendor stalls, covered meeting space).

Staff proposed a public engagement program that would include two on‑site open houses at the former bank building, an information booth at the farmers market, a dedicated web page and online survey, social media outreach, and synthesis of results into a report to be returned to council and advisory boards. Staff said outreach would begin about two weeks after council direction and run roughly four to six weeks; the goal is to finish public engagement in July to inform potential grant applications next year.

On budget, staff reported $75,000 in the current budget allocated to the festival lot work: $10,000 for short‑term site improvements already completed to enable interim use of the bank building, $30,000 for the long‑range vision/public engagement process, and $35,000 for the next level of site improvements (demolition of the chiropractor building and other site prep). Administrator Deborah Knight noted the city is timing outreach to align with Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) and other state grant cycles that begin in even‑numbered years; staff said having cost estimates and community input will help pursue grant opportunities in 2026 applications.

Council members asked questions about interim uses, demolition of the chiropractor building, and the timeline. Staff said some short‑term improvements (windows, doors, handrails, restrooms) have been made and the city is negotiating possible interim tenants such as the local chamber. Council member Walker said he favored preparing the site for an interim tenant while still doing community outreach, and Council members Gamble and Beaumont supported immediate outreach and pursuing grant‑ready materials. Council member Hanford asked whether the alley must stay open; staff confirmed downtown development regulations favor maintaining alleys for service access and storage.

With no objections, the council directed staff to move forward with the outreach plan as presented and requested staff return with synthesized results and cost estimates in time to inform 2026 budget planning. Staff will also bring a separate future discussion on interim site improvements and demolition logistics.