The Papillion Planning Commission has given its blessing to a proposal to overhaul downtown Papillion with the aim of promoting growth of the commercial district.
Planning Director Mark Stursma said the 20-page plan will become a chapter in the city's comprehensive plan, which will be adopted later this year. It was considered separately so the city could move forward sooner on one of the projects, a proposed water garden that would replace a city-owned parking lot.
"There's something special about a downtown environment," Stursma said.
He said the city hopes to spark "a rejuvenation of interest" in downtown Papillion. The plan identifies eight goals for the downtown area, including:
» Encourage a self-sustaining business area as an incubator for new ideas and businesses.
» Establish downtown Papillion as a destination rather than a place to pass through.
» Increase residential development to encourage others to visit the district.
"I love the emphasis that we place on small business incubation," said Commissioner Jim Masters.
The plan proposes creating four new public spaces in downtown Papillion: a water garden at First and Washington Streets, a Piazza Papillion plaza along the creek at Second Street, a municipal plaza by City Hall and a museum square at the former Performance Auto dealership.
The water garden would also feature a plaza with tables. The park would offer a structure that provides shelter, public restrooms and an indoor space for vending machines and vendors.
The water garden would provide a public space that will almost be an extension of City Park into downtown, Stursma said. He said the site could be used for a farmers market, performances and other public gatherings as well as a tranquil place to eat lunch or just sit and relax.
To offset the lost parking, the city would install diagonal parking along the south side of First Street and the west side of Adams Street.
To take advantage of available money, the city wants to move quickly to start the project, Stursma said. The other projects — the Piazza Papillion, municipal plaza and museum square — would come after the water garden is completed.
Four buildings are identified in the plan as possible sites for new commercial development, while three sites are identified for potential mixed-use development. The historical facades of buildings along the 100 block of Washington Street would be preserved to maintain the "special image of Downtown Papillion," the plan says.
Gene Pfahl, owner of Gene's Auto and Truck Service at 245 S. Washington St., said he is one of those business owners whose property was identified for possible redevelopment. He said he felt comfortable after the meeting that he would not be pushed out and said he supports the plan's proposals.
"I'm all for helping downtown look a little nicer," Pfahl said.
The commission unanimously recommended approval of the plan, suggesting a handful of tweaks such as adjusting the tone of certain portions of the text, addressing the labeling of an illustration and noting that the museum proposal is only a suggestion — so other uses of the land would not be inconsistent with the city's comprehensive plan if the museum location changes or the project fails to happen.
Darren Carlson, the city's spokesman, said now is the time for the public to comment on the proposals. He said residents who want to comment can call the mayor's hot line at 402-827-1111 or submit a comment online.
The City Council is expected to hold a public hearing on whether to create a paving improvement district for the downtown area at its Feb. 21 meeting. Carlson said forming that district would allow the city to create the new parking in anticipation of the First Street water garden project.
A public hearing on the plan will be held at a future council meeting.
Copyright ©2012 Omaha World-Herald®. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, displayed or redistributed for any purpose without permission from the Omaha World-Herald.
