Downtown beautification effort tops city meeting

McCOOK, Neb. — As city leaders look to enhance the appearance of downtown with decorative streetscape improvements designed to attract residents and visitors, they are also working to clean up neglected properties elsewhere in the community. The McCook City Council heard updates Monday on both efforts — plans for a downtown Creative District beautification project and ongoing code enforcement actions targeting nuisance properties.

Appearing via Zoom, architect Eric Westman, partner with Alley Poyner Macchietto Architecture, presented conceptual designs for the Creative District project. The proposed improvements focus on the intersection of Norris Avenue and D Street, with enhancements extending along East First and West First streets.

The conceptual design includes enhanced crosswalks, decorative planters, sidewalk benches, strategically placed speakers for sound production and four modern light poles positioned at each corner of the intersection.

Speaking on behalf of the McCook Creative District Committee, Matt Sehnert thanked community partners who helped secure a Civic and Community Center Financing Fund (CCCFF) grant for the project. Matching funds were provided by the City of McCook, the Graff Foundation, Community Hospital, McCook Economic Development Corporation and the McCook Community Foundation Fund.

“We need to create a place where people want to live,” Sehnert said. “We need more people in McCook, and we need new neighbors.”

Sehnert said the committee will continue pursuing grant opportunities and seeking private contributions to move the project from the planning stage to construction.

In another Zoom presentation, Emma Castor of the West Central Nebraska Development District reported that 25 additional properties have been identified within a designated area of the city as being in violation of McCook’s code of ordinances.

The violations include 15 unlicensed vehicles, discarded tires, used appliances, scrap lumber, scrap metal, large open containers and accumulations of trash and debris.

Property owners have been notified by letter and may face enforcement action if the violations are not corrected.

The council heard no additional comments from members or the public before Mayor Linda Taylor adjourned the regular meeting at 6:31 p.m. The council then entered executive session at 6:32 p.m. to discuss collective bargaining strategy with the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 57.