The City of Caruthersville is going all-in for downtown revitalization.
During its October 19 meeting, the city council approved a vision plan for reimagining Downtown Caruthersville, as well as an implementation matrix for strategically bringing this vision to life in the short- and long-term.
The plan was facilitated by Memphis design firm A2H – Engineers • Architects • Planners and A2H president Logan Meeks, a Caruthersville native. It was discussed at the meeting that the new vision draws from a number of previous plans done for the City from 2000–2011, as well as community input from BLP (Building Local Prosperity) Meetings hosted by the MU Extension earlier this year.
“One thing that sets this plan apart from plans that many of us have been a part of in the past is the focus on implementation. This time, it’s not just ideas on paper. We have a strategy for moving forward with funding and prioritizing these projects in the coming years,” says Jana Merideth, chair of the Caruthersville Arts Council. The vision plan was paid for using a placemaking grant that the Caruthersville Arts Council secured in 2019.
The vision plan considers four distinct — but interconnected — themes: Art and Culture, Quality Public Spaces, Community Health, and Downtown Economic Vitality. Plan highlights include:
- Refreshed City Branding + Enhanced Signage Throughout Downtown
- Riverfront Park Expansion, to potentially include elements such as:
- Splash Pad
- Waterfront Amphitheater
- New Playground
- Enhanced Boat Ramp Facilities
- Extension of Current Trail System
- Renovation and Activation of the Historic Exchange Building
- Public Art Installations, especially a mural on the north face of the Exchange Building
- Identifying and Incentivizing Use of Key Vacant Commercial Lots/Storefronts
The vision plan was presented and unanimously approved by the council last Monday night — and even “enthusiastically approved” by one council member.
A comprehensive summary of the vision plan is anticipated to be released to the public next month.
