Quincy downtown revitalization hearing bumped to July 19

QUINCY — A public hearing on the proposed plan for revitalization in Quincy’s downtown has been rescheduled for the third time for the July 19 council meeting.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at Quincy City Hall, 104 B St. SW.

The public hearing previously was scheduled for council meetings in May and June, but required review by the Quincy Planning Commission before going to the council.

The draft plan is available on the city’s website, www.quincywashington.us.

Quincy city officials contracted with a Wenatchee company, SCJ Alliance, to do the research and write the draft plan. While there are recommendations for the city and for business owners, there’s no timeline for the recommendations.

The proposed plan focuses on the area between Highway 28 and South Division Street from First Avenue SE to First Avenue SW and the block between First and Second Avenues SE.

The plan proposes a number of goals for downtown revitalization, some related to traffic, others to improving the area’s visibility and attractions.

Many businesses use Central Street to access Highway 28 and Highway 281, including semis and other trucks. The planners recommended routing truck traffic away from downtown. They also recommended making downtown more pedestrian-friendly and improving parking.

Downtown should be more visible, the planners wrote, and should include more public amenities. Property owners and city officials should work to enhance its visual appeal, with upgraded building facades, an updated streetscape including things like streetlights and benches, and properly maintained landscapes.

Sidewalks should be replaced, and bulbous and crosswalks added, where necessary, the planners wrote.

Planners also recommended trying to increase downtown’s visibility and increasing its attractions with more public events. The plan also recommends adding a park somewhere downtown.