Monessen’s comprehensive plan meeting draws crowd

By Kaylie Moore
kmoore@yourmvi.com
About 50 community members filled the Salvation Army’s Mon Valley Citadel in Monessen Wednesday for the city’s first comprehensive plan meeting.
As part of the implementation of the Early Intervention Program, which was completed in 2017, city officials and program leaders held the open house to give residents and business owners a chance to weigh in on the city’s future.
The project is led by the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee and facilitated by planning consultants Mackin Engineering and MGR Consulting Inc.
Mackin Lead Senior Planner Amy L. Wiles, who spearheaded the open house, previously said the purpose of the comprehensive plan is to create a community-supported vision for Monessen’s future and provide its leaders with a “blueprint” to help guide future policy and investment decisions.
During the meeting’s idea-sharing session, multiple attendees expressed desire to see more entertainment, arts and culture offerings become available in downtown Monessen, in the hopes of attracting younger crowds.
Councilwoman Lois Thomas said reopening of the former Landmark Place would be the “perfect” opportunity for such growth.

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