The Pella City Council is beginning the planning stages of a long term streetscape project for the downtown area.

At policy and planning this week, the council began discussion about RDG Planning and Design, who is helping draft the vision, and the need to develop and appoint a technical committee with representatives of the Pella City Council, Planning and Zoning Commission, PACE Alliance, Pella Convention and Visitors Bureau, Pella Historical Society, and Historic Downtown Retail Group.

City Administrator Mike Nardini tells KNIA/KRLS News the primary purpose of the streetscape is to update aging infrastructure throughout the downtown. He says beyond that, the council will also look to reconstruct roads and sidewalks, as well as consider the addition of other public facilities and parking. The planning phase of the Pella downtown streetscape will include public input, and is set to begin in late May.