About 50 residents showed up to take part in the city’s “Open Workshop” downtown meeting Thursday to give their take on how downtown should be revitalized.

The meeting began with Tracy Delaney of South Central Alabama Development Commission (SCADC) revealing the results of a survey that was performed at the first planning meeting last month.

The survey found that the top five landmarks residents listed for the City of Troy were the Square, Troy University, the Johnson Center for the Arts, First United Methodist Church and the College Street Historic District. The same places were listed as the places that residents would take guests, only swapping out First United Methodist Church for Pike Pioneer Museum.

The survey also revealed participating residents’ three best and worst things about downtown Troy and the most important historical and recent events to happen to Troy.

The bulk of the meeting consisted of residents splitting into five groups to discuss what actions could be taken to improve the five core qualities of downtown, listed by Delaney as promotion, vitality, appearance, movement and network linkage. A spokesperson from each group then gave a brief presentation on what the group discussed.

For example, the first group to present focused on movement, particularly parking. Some of their ideas included the possibility of parking garages, making a shuttle stop for Troy University shuttle buses and a possible bus depot area.

Ideas from other groups included more outdoor dining, free WiFi, brick walkways, better signage, expansion of landscaping and more.

After the presentations concluded, residents had the opportunity to go to three boards (architecture, streetscaping and amenities) and select eight pictures that they felt would be the best design elements for Troy. Greenery was a clear winner in that portion of the meeting.

The next meeting will be held July 28 at 4:00 p.m. at the Planning Commission meeting at City Hall. The draft of the downtown plan will be presented to the Planning Commission at the meeting. For more information, go to www.troyal.gov/planDT or call Melissa Sanders at (334)-670-6058.