The City of Monroe has officially launched its Downtown Master Plan, a comprehensive, community-driven planning effort that will guide the future of Downtown Monroe and surrounding sub-districts for years to come.
The Downtown Master Plan will serve as a long-term roadmap for development, investment, mobility, public spaces, housing, and the overall Downtown experience. As Monroe continues to grow, this planning process will help ensure Downtown remains a vibrant, walkable, welcoming, and connected heart of the community.
The project is being led by Shook Kelley, a nationally recognized planning and placemaking firm selected by City Council for their expertise in downtown revitalization, public engagement, branding, and urban design. Shook Kelley will work closely with City staff, local stakeholders, and residents throughout the process to develop a shared vision for Downtown’s future.
A central focus of the Downtown Master Plan is community participation. Residents, business owners, and community members are encouraged to participate through several engagement opportunities currently underway.
Three ways to get involved right now
Share feedback on the interactive Downtown map
An online interactive map is now live on the City’s website, allowing anyone to drop comments on specific locations throughout Downtown and surrounding areas. Participants can highlight places they love, identify areas for improvement, and share ideas for future enhancements.
Take the Downtown Master Plan community survey
The City has also launched an introductory survey to gather feedback on what makes Downtown Monroe special, what residents enjoy most, and where opportunities exist to improve.
Attend the first public engagement session on February 18
The first in-person public engagement open house will take place on February 18 at the Dowd Theatre in Downtown Monroe. Hosted by Shook Kelley, this open house will provide an opportunity for community members to meet the project team, learn more about the planning process, and share ideas directly. Additional details will be released soon.
About the Downtown Master Plan
The Downtown Master Plan builds on previous planning efforts while expanding the study area to include additional sub-districts, each with its own emerging identity and needs. The process will unfold in three primary phases through late Summer 2026:
Phase 1: Preliminary Analysis and Vision (Fall 2025 to early 2026)
This phase focuses on data collection, technical analysis, stakeholder interviews, Steering Committee engagement, the first community survey, and an initial public workshop.
Phase 2: Alternative Futures and Framework Plan (Spring 2026)
During this phase, the project team will develop multiple “possible futures” for Downtown, test concepts with the community, and refine a preferred framework through additional public engagement.
Phase 3: Master Plan and Implementation Strategy (Summer 2026)
The final phase will produce the Downtown Master Plan and an implementation roadmap outlining policies, capital improvements, catalyst projects, and potential funding tools. The plan will ultimately be presented for adoption by the Downtown Advisory Board and City Council.
Key components of the plan include a shared community vision, market and housing analysis, mobility and parking strategies, street design, concept frameworks, and a phased implementation approach designed to be both realistic and actionable.
What’s happening now
Current activities include stakeholder outreach, Steering Committee coordination, technical analysis, and data collection through the interactive map and community survey. The Downtown Master Plan officially kicked off in Fall 2025 and will continue through late Summer 2026.
Additional public workshops, surveys, and engagement opportunities will be announced in the coming weeks. Community members are encouraged to subscribe to project updates through the Downtown Master Plan event calendar on the City’s website.
Your Downtown. Your voice.
Downtown Monroe is rich in history, architecture, culture, and potential. The Downtown Master Plan is an opportunity to build on those strengths while planning thoughtfully for future generations.
The City invites everyone to take part in shaping what comes next. Keep up to date and learn more about the Downtown Master Plan.