Several organizations are partnering to meet with Stuart community members in forming a transportation and landscape enhancement plan.

Through the Iowa Living Roadways Program, the Iowa Department of Transportation, Iowa State University Landscape Architecture, Trees Forever and Bolton and Menk Engineers, of Des Moines, Ames and Jefferson teamed up last week to meet with Stuart residents about their goals for the community.

Bolton and Menk Landscape Designer Amber Gable says the meetings yielded four major recommendations. “The first goal we have in mind is overall pedestrian safety, amenities, safe routes to school and connecting different areas of town to the elementary and high schools. The second element we’re working on is wayfinding and identity, to really give Stuart some signage and a recognizable brand in helping to get people from Interstate 80 to downtown, so people can really see what you’ve got going on there. The third goal is some traffic calming and streetscape things, to deal with pedestrian-vehicle or pedestrian-truck conflicts, again mainly focused on the interstate corridor downtown. The final element we’re working on is general park improvements, including planting and other general beautification included throughout the city.”

The final recommended plan will be presented to City residents at a later date.