St. Cloud Seeks Public Input on Downtown Vision Through Comprehensive Plan Survey

(KNSI) – St. Cloud is charting a new course for its downtown, and residents still have time to help shape that vision through an ongoing community survey that’s already drawn 600 responses.

The St. Cloud City Council received an update Monday night during a study session on the city’s comprehensive plan. It’s a blueprint that will guide zoning decisions, development priorities, and infrastructure spending for years to come.

In March, the city launched an online survey asking residents, business owners, property owners, developers, and other downtown stakeholders to help shape the area’s future. The survey includes an interactive mapping tool that lets participants design their vision for downtown. The city also held an in-person workshop in May to engage the community further. “It really allows the city to take input from the residents, and that’s what we’re really into right now,” said City Council President Mike Conway. “What do they think? What do they want us to focus on? But also, then lay out where we’re going to spend time and energy and resources developing the city based on this plan.”

The top things people want to see downtown include an arena/mixed use facility, historic façade improvements, development along the Mississippi River, more retail stores, a grocery store, address paid parking, and lighting and beautification improvements. Downtown is also facing challenges with the county vacating the area.

The last plan was completed in 2015, but city leaders decided to update it early due to dramatic shifts in the retail landscape. “Just think of what’s happened in the last five years with COVID and the shutdown and things like that. We don’t have the large office buildings downtown anymore. The old neighborhood convenience stores, the little grocery stores that were prevalent 30, 40 years ago. They’ve changed,” said Conway.

He noted that big box stores moved in and displaced smaller businesses, but now many of those same big retailers are closing, leaving vacant parking lots ready for redevelopment.

The survey remains open for anyone wanting to share their vision for downtown St. Cloud. The city hopes to complete the comprehensive plan between October and December.

To take the survey and share your ideas for downtown’s future, click here.

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