Town of Monument unveils downtown plan to boost local business and tourism

MONUMENT, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Town of Monument is releasing a new draft plan for its Downtown Master Plan.

The plan outlines the strengths of the town, as well as potential areas for growth to help make downtown Monument a year-round destination. The plan outlines what the downtown area could look like in 2040.

Officials say during the public engagement part of the Monument 2040 planning process, the downtown area became a frequent topic of conversation, especially as a place where there was room to grow. Local businesses echoed that sentiment.

"We would love to see this area grow with good, small-town character," Jason Mezey, owner of Roots Outfitter Trails and Tavern, said. "That doesn't mean it grows slow and small. It just means that I think it should grow. It should grow in such a way that complements the kind of character and charm of Monument in general."

According to the draft plan, the study area includes the Historic Downtown Monument commercial core, 2nd Street gateway corridor between Interstate 25 and Beacon Lite Road, the Sante Fe Regional Trail trailhead, Limbach Park and some surrounding areas. Officials say the plan also focuses on creating stronger partnerships with Monument Lake, using the Sante Fe Regional Bike Trail and diversifying businesses.

Some ideas for improving downtown include more pedestrian-friendly spaces, stronger branding, more seasonal events, and extended business hours. According to the town, 70 unique businesses operate in the downtown area, but most are service-oriented, which they say limits after-hours traffic.

The town says its visitor base is largely from within El Paso County, including northern Colorado Springs and Palmer Lake. The draft plan also outlines three specific areas that are big areas for development, including a location on Front Street and 3rd Street and a site owned by Lewis-Palmer School District #38.

The entire plan is available on the town's website.

The plan will also be available to view at the Planning Commission meeting at Town Hall Wednesday night at 6 p.m., where town officials will be presenting the plan.

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