Council and committee members gather Thursday evening to share GO Ottawa plan with residents.
OTTAWA — Community members across the county gathered to get an inside scoop on the new plans of GO Ottawa. The goal of the organization is to revitalize the downtown area focusing on public spaces, hospitality services, streets and trails.
On March 13, Ottawa Council approved the plans for investment. Residents were able to see renderings Thursday evening and get a ‘feel’ of what is to come. According to the organization’s Facebook page, the vision was birthed two years ago. YARD & Company, based in Cincinnati, is helping the village with strategic planning for the future.
YARD & Company engaged the community in the upcoming plans by creating pop-ups throughout the village including the event Thursday evening.
Jeff Krouse weighed in on the project.
”Ottawa is a good town but just in visiting other towns there where was something missing,” said Krouse. “We felt like we’re good but there is a greater place we could get to. Let’s look at ways to beautify the town and increase the energy and increase the pride. Just kind of elevate everything in general.”
Krouse said the strategic plan was a combined effort but the village made the investment.
“A couple of us who discovered we kind of had a shared interest in the vibrancy and beautification, we went to the village and said we think this would be a good investment,” said Krouse. “We think this would be a good investment and benefit us immediately. They were on board immediately.”
The organization hopes to improve the streetscape and fill the ‘empty buildings’ downtown.
Mayor Dean Meyer shared the origins of the village. Meyer said Ottawa began when one family decided to settle instead of chasing ‘gold in California’.
“We have a plan,” said Meyer. “We met two years ago. Amy (Sleats) asked if I would come down to her office. We started talking and it really hit home. The comment was made that we are getting tired. When I heard that I said wow that is not positive but when it was said it opened my eyes. There’s something we have to do.”
Meyer said they began to come up with a plan that the village could support.
“As the mayor I want to say we are one-hundred percent invested,” said Meyer. “I want to thank all of our residents. It is because of their comments and what we have all said. It is the people that have come up with our plan.”
Reach Precious Grundy at 567-242-0351.
