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Monument looks to future for downtown
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| The Chapala Building in downtown Monument provides several examples of elements the architectural design committee would like to see more of in the future. The historic signs and lamp posts as well as the overall look of the building are all desirable for the area.Photo by Nicole Chillino |
By Nicole Chillino
What do you picture when you think of downtown Monument?
The area’s natural setting and small-town feel might come to mind, but the overall “look” of downtown is unclear. Those in the area will likely get a more concrete image of the heart of Monument if the board of trustees approves recommendations, known as the “white pages,” compiled by a group of citizens, business owners, trustees and town staff. Through the Comprehensive Plan for Downtown Monument, the architectural design committee that worked on it hopes the town can develop services and facilities geared toward pedestrians and create coherent outdoor spaces, according to a draft of the white pages. In evaluating the downtown, the committee found it to be “an eclectic mix of buildings, without any cohesive design.”
“Downtown Monument is envisioned as an attractive, cohesive and traditional urban center that includes inviting storefronts with large display windows and restaurants with outdoor dining areas that are oriented to pedestrians,” according to the recommended vision for downtown. “An attractive streetscape will be created with street trees, decorative sidewalks and side street pavement, benches and lamp posts.”
To obtain ideas for the plan, Monument had the architectural design committee — consisting of business owners, people associated with the arts community, a developer, an architect, a couple town trustees and town staff members — look at the elements that can further the success of a downtown, said town manager Cathy Green. Elements include having a historic or indigenous look, a vision for the future and a plan based on commerce.
The committee looked at what it liked about the downtown area and what it would like to see done differently in the future, said Karen Griffith, principal planner for the town.
The end of the document outlines architectural design guidelines for the downtown. The design objectives include keeping buildings that have a traditional historic character and providing a continuous line of storefronts and outdoor seating areas that results in a pedestrian-oriented shopping and entertainment environment.
“The committee would like to see the guidelines [at the end of the report] adopted,” Green said.
Trustees were asked to give their comments about the report to Green and to revisit the proposed guidelines and consider their adoption in a future meeting.
Downtown Monument might have guide for future development
Trustees hear what committee wants to see in downtown
The area’s natural setting and small-town feel might come to mind, but the overall “look” of downtown is unclear. Those in the area will likely get a more concrete image of the heart of Monument if the board of trustees approves recommendations, known as the “white pages,” compiled by a group of citizens, business owners, trustees and town staff. Through the Comprehensive Plan for Downtown Monument, the architectural design committee that worked on it hopes the town can develop services and facilities geared toward pedestrians and create coherent outdoor spaces, according to a draft of the white pages. In evaluating the downtown, the committee found it to be “an eclectic mix of buildings, without any cohesive design.”
“Downtown Monument is envisioned as an attractive, cohesive and traditional urban center that includes inviting storefronts with large display windows and restaurants with outdoor dining areas that are oriented to pedestrians,” according to the recommended vision for downtown. “An attractive streetscape will be created with street trees, decorative sidewalks and side street pavement, benches and lamp posts.”
To obtain ideas for the plan, Monument had the architectural design committee — consisting of business owners, people associated with the arts community, a developer, an architect, a couple town trustees and town staff members — look at the elements that can further the success of a downtown, said town manager Cathy Green. Elements include having a historic or indigenous look, a vision for the future and a plan based on commerce.
The committee looked at what it liked about the downtown area and what it would like to see done differently in the future, said Karen Griffith, principal planner for the town.
The end of the document outlines architectural design guidelines for the downtown. The design objectives include keeping buildings that have a traditional historic character and providing a continuous line of storefronts and outdoor seating areas that results in a pedestrian-oriented shopping and entertainment environment.
“The committee would like to see the guidelines [at the end of the report] adopted,” Green said.
Trustees were asked to give their comments about the report to Green and to revisit the proposed guidelines and consider their adoption in a future meeting.
Downtown Monument might have guide for future development
Trustees hear what committee wants to see in downtown
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