Plymouth rethinks "City Center"

Plymouth hoping to increase the foot factor

Excerpt:

Last week, the City Council approved a moratorium on development in the city center -- bounded in part by Hwy. 55, Vicksburg Lane and Plymouth Boulevard. While development is paused, the city will decide how to make the area more walkable.

"For all that the city center is," said Steve Juetten, economic development director, "one thing it's not is walkable."

The council is interested in building new roads through the area. More roads could divide large stretches of land and attract new businesses -- some are hoping clothing shops -- that want street-side storefronts.

The city also is considering improving crosswalks; building pedestrian trails through parking lots; eliminating multiple accesses to Hwy. 55; and encouraging mixed-use development in spots.

Comment: My city and I am glad to live here, but City Center needs some new thinking! I like Maple Grove's City Center.