What capital improvement projects would you like the city of McMinnville to pursue? An online survey is underway to get feedback.
McMinnville’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen is creating a long-term capital improvement plan to help prioritize future needs and allocate funding. Created was a list from a recent Strategic Planning Session and previous discussions of capital improvement needs. Now, officials want the public’s opinion in ranking the following projects:
• Sidewalks (repair existing and building new)
• Urban trail system with bike lanes and walking paths
• Morford Street/West Main Street improvements (phase three of downtown revitalization)
• Barren Fork River Greenway expansion
• Street paving
• New police station
• Improved stormwater infrastructure to reduce flooding
• New indoor pool/ aquatic center
Survey participants are asked to rank items in order of priority, with 1 being the most important to 8 being the least important.
As part of that survey, the city is asking what other projects not on the list the city should consider and why, the age range of the individual completing the survey, and their place of residency (within McMinnville’s city limits, in Warren County, and a space available for all others).
The survey was suggested by Alderman Zach Sutton during Tuesday’s meeting of the city Finance Committee.
“There are a lot of things that citizens, the board and departments want to see,” said Sutton. “I think the most transparent way to build confidence in the board and in the plan would be to gather citizen feedback, look at departmental needs and start putting that out on a long-time range. We have a pretty good understanding of our income and when we can look at doing different projects.”
Once a priority list is generated, said Sutton, the city can begin the process of considering the financial aspect associated with each project.
“This will go beyond this budget cycle,” Sutton said. “We will need time to go through the finances, but we will be able to project when these projects will get done: one, two, three, five, 10 years. I think it will be a dynamic type of thing. It can change. It’s not a commitment or promise, but it will be a plan.”
A link to the survey can be located on the Southern Standard Facebook page.
