A city’s comprehensive plan, or comp plan, serves as a roadmap for how the city wants to evolve and grow over the next 10 to 20 years. The city’s current comp plan was drafted in 2001 and updated in 2005 and 2016. Thanks in part to a community development block grant (CDBG grant) from the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, the city hired Confluence to update the comprehensive plan.
What exactly does a comp plan cover? The 2001 comp plan looked at how Beatrice could retain and expand its strong economic presence, overcome physical and developmental barriers, determine what transportation system improvements should be designed, and identify what public services and facilities should be developed. Over the past 25 years, some of the goals or recommendations have been accomplished, while others have not come to fruition yet. Below are some of the goals from the 2001 comp plan.
Expanding industrial and employment areas
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Expand Gage County Industrial Park – At the time the current comp plan was written, the first industrial park was built out and the second addition to the industrial park had only recently been platted. Today, the second addition is home to Armstrong Rentals, Kinney Manufacturing, Zephyr Towers and Hybrid Turkeys. In addition, the city recently purchased additional industrial park ground, which will be the home to Landmark Snacks’ new facility.
Transportation and river crossings
Construct another bridge over the Big Blue River – The 2001 comp plan recommends the construction of another bridge over the Big Blue River at either 26th Street or 33rd Street. This recommendation has not been implemented.
Parks, trails and public spaces
Develop the Big Blue Bikeway – The extension of the trail system was also recommended in the 2001 comp plan. In the past 25 years, the city has added the Pioneer Trail from the water park to Hannibal Park, as well as portions of Chief Standing Bear Trail and the Homestead Trail, which connect Beatrice to other communities. The city is currently developing a trail that will extend from Riverside Park to the Homestead National Historical Park, which was also a recommendation in the 2001 comp plan.
Full utilization of Charles Park and reuse of the Carnegie Library – Thanks to the partnership between the City of Beatrice, Main Street Beatrice and the Friends of the Carnegie, Charles Park and the Carnegie Library were revitalized in the 2010s.
Expansion of Roszell Park in Glenover – In 2001, Roszell Park was the smallest and most sparsely equipped of the city’s parks. In 2007, thanks to Exmark, Roszell Park was expanded and new playground equipment was installed. Because of Exmark’s ongoing generosity, the park was renamed Roszell-Exmark Park.
How residents can shape Beatrice’s future
The comp plan helps establish the goals and priorities of the city over the next 10 to 20 years. Residents who want the city to add green spaces, improve the water park, initiate regional air service or install a community solar farm are encouraged to participate in the planning process and share their thoughts and opinions.
Over the next 14 months, the city will host a variety of open houses, online surveys and other methods to gather public input. Community members will have the opportunity to provide input on housing, parks, economic development, land use, infrastructure and the overall vision for Beatrice.
