Development plan includes 'Bison Loop'
McCOOK, Nebraska -- A recently released revitalization plan for downtown McCook calls for the creation of the "Bison Loop," a combination of new sidewalk construction and improvements to existing sidewalks, enhanced with lighting, signage and landscaping improvements.
The goal of the improvements is to ease the movement of visitors and improve connections between the downtown area and McCook Community College, Heritage Hills Golf Course, Kiplinger Arena and U.S. Highway 83.
The circulation improvements intend to aid in the attraction of visitors and encourage visitors to spend more time in the community, while enhancing quality of life for residents, according to the plan.
The downtown revitalization plan, compiled by RDG Planning & Design, will be presented to the McCook Planning Commission this evening, 5:15 p.m. at the Municipal Facility, and serves as the basis for how a $350,000 economic development grant will be spent.
A grant hearing on the proposed project has also been scheduled for the March 4, 2013, McCook City Council meeting.
The downtown revitalization plan includes three phases which could be completed within the first three years of the projected 10 plus year project.
The three include approximately $600,000 to $700,000 in improvements to the Norris and B Street intersection; a $575,000 to $650,000 "Keystone Plaza" project; and $235,000 to $265,000 for a "Keystone Lawn" project.
Two four- to 10-year phases of the plan are listed, they include $630,000 to $700,000 in streetscape improvements; and $890,000 to $1,000,000 for a parking garden.
Some $559,000 to $630,000 is listed in the 10-plus year phase of the plan for a farmer's market plaza.