Laura Bond, Reporter
02-12-2009
Residents who want to have a say in Ruston’s future made their presence known at three community meetings this week designed to move forward Ruston 21.At the three meetings, an estimated 100 locals turned out to listen to a rundown of progress and provide feedback about the city’s master plan for future years, which is expected to produce concrete plans for economic development, land use and capital improvements.
Ann Goodwin, a graduate of Louisiana Tech, attended a gathering Wednesday at the city’s old fire station. The employee at a local architecture firm said she showed up because of her concern about keeping Tech graduates in the area and preserving historical buildings downtown.
“We should keep things with character, like the buildings downtown,” Goodwin said.
“Downtown is where it all started, and people can walk downtown instead of driving their cars across Interstate 20 to get to businesses on the north side of town.”
The meetings this week were held as a follow-up to November’s Community Visioning Day, where approximately 400 local residents gathered to discuss what they would like to preserve and what they would like to change in the city.
This week, consultant Ken Tipton, who was hired to assist the city in the development of a master plan, laid out an outline for Ruston 21, which included a rough draft anticipated to be presented by the end of the fall. Building on feedback since the plan’s introduction last year, the city identified values and expectations, which included the nourishment of entrepreneurship, expanded ties with the university, ridding the city of abandoned structures and formulating a comprehensive transportation plan.
During Wednesday’s gathering, Ruston resident Norma Crosby asked that public transportation be considered as Ruston 21 plans unfold.
A single bus for public transportation use could cut down on the parking issues downtown, she said, and help many to get around who do not have vehicles or money for cabs.
It would aid “many Tech students and low-income residents who do not own vehicles, along with disabled residents like me who cannot drive,” said Crosby, who is blind. “When I want to go the grocery store, it costs $16 roundtrip for a cab.”
Ruston Mayor Dan Hollingsworth has said community input will steer the direction of the $350,000 master plan, which is scheduled to be released with specifications for implementation in 2010.
Meeting attendee Lou Davison said, so far, she feels good about the proposed plan.
“I think (the meetings) kind of brought the ideas of everyone together,” Davison said. “I think if we keep the focus, this will get done.”
Leaders want to hear your ideas
The city is seeking more input for Ruston 21. To provide ideas to better the city, visit www.ruston.org/government.aspx?p_PageAlias=ruston21. Residents may also drop off comments in boxes located at City Hall, Lincoln Parish Library, Tolliver Hall on Louisiana Tech campus or Ruston-Lincoln Chamber of Commerce.
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