“Downtown is what makes us unique.”

So says Melissa Sanders, Troy planning and zoning administrator and the official charged with leading the creation of a 10-year downtown revitalization plan.

That plan, funded by a $40,000 Community Development Block Grant, will help create the vision for the next decade of growth in downtown Troy.

And that’s incredibly important.

The downtown area is the heartbeat of our community. It anchors our history – with businesses, which have thrived for more than 100 years – and beckons our future, with new businesses and restaurants opening every day. More important, the downtown business district – which extends beyond the Square – and the corridors leading into it are a crucial part of that vision.

But shaping that vision and 10-year plan for the future of Troy’s downtown requires community input and feedback. The downtown area reflects not just the interests and needs of those who work or live there; it must also reflect the interests and needs of the broader Pike County community and the residents of all ages who will shop in those stores, eat in those restaurants, attend the festivals and activities and, ultimately, continue to turn to the downtown area as a center for entertainment, commerce and community.

So how can you get involved?

Sanders and other representatives of the City of Troy are hosting a series of public meetings to engage the community in the planning process. The first of those meetings takes place at 5 p.m. today at the Studio in downtown Troy. More will follow throughout July.

But tonight’s meeting gives the public an opportunity to learn about the plan process first-hand and to engage directly in the development of that vision. Do you think Downtown Troy should have an open-air market? Or more parking? Or an entertainment district designation that encourages nighttime activities?  Get involved with this planning process and share your thoughts.

Are you concerned that downtown needs more sidewalks or lighting? Or stricter historic preservation guidelines to protect the history of the buildings in the area? Or more private investors willing to rehabilitate and restore the off-Square buildings and warehouses? Come to the meeting tonight, and get involved.

This Vision 2026 project is about building a shared community vision for the downtown area, in which we all share a vested interest.

We hope to see you there.