Entities accept downtown action plan

The Vision Downtown Lampasas! Task Force Action Plan has been formally accepted by the Lampasas Economic Development Board and Lampasas City Council.

LEDC board members, at the Aug. 15 meeting, approved the plan that creates an official governing board for the downtown redevelopment effort.

Julie Johncox, the consultant retained by the Downtown Task Force, presented the action plan to the board for its approval.

The plan outlines specific first-year projects under several committees, including Beautification and Design, Art, Housing, Economic Restructuring, Organization and Marketing.

Lampasas City Council approved the plan after a similar presentation at its Aug. 27 workshop session.

Jim Rutland, spokesman for the Vision Downtown Lampasas! Task Force, explained how the effort has grown to cover an expanded downtown revitalization, encompassing roughly an area from North Avenue to Sixth Street, and working from Key Avenue across the Fourth Street bridge.

Ms. Johncox also noted how input was received from a wide cross-section of the community through focus group meetings, a community workshop and one-on-one interviews.

She expressed appreciation to all entities cooperating on the effort, including the Lampasas County Chamber of Commerce, the city and county of Lampasas, the Lampasas Independent School District, LEDC and Courtyard Square Association.

Vision Downtown Lampasas! Task Force also has announced orientation meetings for committee chairmen and committee members, set Sept. 18 at City Council Chambers. Johnny and Amanda Wade will serve as the new task force co-chairs.

An announcement of Vision Downtown Lampasas! committees and projects is scheduled for Oct. 23 at the newly refurbished Mesquite Creek reception room on Second Street.