Master Plan for Clinton’s Liberty Square District
The City of Clinton seeks to revisit planning and strategies for use and development of the Liberty Square District, a section of mostly undeveloped land that runs between and adjacent to the split four lanes of Highway 30.
The City developed an overlay zone for the district in 2002, with land use designs for commercial and small manufacturing. After nearly 20 years without any significant development, city officials want to evaluate and update the previous land use plans and ordinances to encourage new uses and investment on the property.
A master plan is a long-term planning document that provides analysis, conceptual layouts, and recommendations for future growth and development. Public input, physical characteristics, and social and economic conditions are important considerations for the development of a master plan.
In Clinton, development of Liberty Square should consider broad community and economic development initiatives and goals for the city, such as efforts to revitalize the core downtown district and how development would align with the community character.
Other important physical considerations could include transportation planning and infrastructure, pedestrian and bicycle amenities, utility infrastructure, water management, open space, biodiversity, and more. Another potential challenge for use and development of Liberty Square is the sprawling ADM bioprocessing facility that runs parallel to the property, creating heavy volumes of truck traffic, obscuring the Mississippi River, and emitting pungent odors on occasion. The master plan will include an assessment of sustainability dimensions of the project and will incorporate sustainable development concepts. Additionally, the master plan will outline strategic actions, ordinances, and funding mechanisms for achieving the vision for the district.
