Planning Meeting, Charrette For Sulphur Springs Development

They’re Back! Ian Lockwood with Toole Design Group is returning to Sulphur Springs with his urban design professionals to conduct another planning charrette, only this time for Downtown West. Downtown West is the area loosely bounded by Mulberry, Rogers/Magnolia, Van Sickle, and the KCS railroad tracks. The final plan will include a linear park, stormwater retention, a water feature or two, street improvements, commercial development, and residential development.

The process will kick off with a dinner and presentation Monday, July 19 at 5:30 pm at the Hopkins County Civic Center. The cost of the dinner is $10. There is no charge for anyone who wishes to attend but does not wish to eat. The following three days, the public is invited by appointment to brainstorm with Toole Design Group at the Grays Building in Pacific Park. Call the Community Development Department at (903) 439-3743 to schedule your appointment.

Lockwood and his team previously utilized the charrette planning process to design Main Street, Connally Street, and Celebration Plaza. In addition, MHS Design Group used the technique to create Pacific Park. A Charrette combines intensive work sessions with public workshops and typically lasts three to five days. “The hallmark of any good charrette is boatloads of public involvement and a final work product (design) at the end of the effort,” said City Manager Marc Maxwell. “It’s so much better than just a public meeting. People get to sit at the design table where all of the ideas are flowing, and they can see their ideas come to life on the tracing paper,” said Mayor John Sellers.