Huttle: Master Plan to Wrap Up in September

The city's lengthy process to create a planning document that envisions a livelier downtown with improved neighborhoods throughout the city, upgraded recreation facilities and new transit options, will be coming to a close in September, according to Mayor Frank Huttle.

Speaking at the June 11 council meeting, the mayor said the city's Master Plan conclusion has been pushed back to September to allow for greater public participation. The process, which began more than a year ago, has included several workshops with input from hundreds of residents. The city initially expected to have the full plan adopted by early 2013. The last Master Plan was completed in 2009.

The city hired consulting and planning firms tasked to reimagine the "virtually defunct" industrial area, while taking into account the redevelopment projects of Lincoln and Liberty school, a potential light rail, and the Mackay Park ice rink.

"Everyone will have an opportunity to particpiate," Huttle said last Tuesday. "The simple message is: Englewood was, is, and in the future, open for business."