Times Observer file photo Downtown Warren features prominently among the action items outlined in the city’s comprehensive plan which was released for public review this week.

Comprehensive plans that run nearly 80 pages in length aren’t most people’s definition of a good time.

But the plan that the City of Warren has this week put out for public review isn’t full of pie-in-the-sky proposals but many practical suggestions that could make significant improvements to our community.

From the top, the consulting firm on the project – Mackin Engineering – was clear: “The vision presented here was voiced repeatedly by the citizens, leaders and business people that participated” in the planning process, they say. “Warren is a community of enviable assets and a hub of the region with outstanding amenities.”

The plan itself is broken into a few distinct areas, specifically two “catalytic actions” as well as a series of strategy steps.

Many won’t include significant financial investments.

The first action is called an “organizational partnership and resource hub.”

The plan outlines two roles for that group – “to spearhead and be the forum for collaborative work on community improvement projects” and “to provide a resource hub that connects residents and business people to information, help and funding sources to undertake their own community improvement efforts from starting a business to restoring a historic home to sprucing up a vacant lot.”

The Kane Area Development Center and Impact Corry were highlighted as case studies.

“A Warren partnership should start informally,” they conclude. “The focus should be on assembling and sustaining the clout of multiple groups working together in good faith to get things done, not on creating a new organization.”

The second of these actions is described as a “strategic approach to marketing” of the city’s “quality of life and assets to bring in new residents and businesses.”

Consultants acknowledge work in this space already undertaken, specifically by the Warren County Visitors Bureau and City Council’s marketing committee.

They stress marketing should be a “priority” and that the city should determine its “brand” as well to exchange all marketing materials.

The first strategy step focuses on removing “regulatory barriers” to business and development.

Acknowledging that the city’s zoning rules are “reasonable” and that permit applications are “not complex,” the plan still calls for the city to “stay the course in easing the burden of compliance” after evaluating relative regulations.

Two steps focused specifically on building redevelopment – one on the upper floors of buildings in the downtown and another that addresses redevelopment and buildings in disrepair throughout the city.

“Improving the look of upper stories in downtown Warren does not have to always include expensive or difficult solutions,” they caution. “Some simple actions can go a long way to improve the look of downtown buildings,” specifically mentioning murals and window coverings.

City-wide, the plan calls for council to join with the county on a landbank and create a blight plan. The city is currently seeking grant funds to undertake such a plan. Discussions about the city joining the county’s landbank are ongoing.

Two other low-cost strategies include a concerted effort to help connect business owners to “technical and financial resources” as well as prioritize providing “quality of life amenities and community events….”

“The occasional closure of downtown streets for events,” the consultants write, “could help reinforce this gathering place as a well-known inviting public realm and enhance mobility” while added events can “build upon past and ongoing efforts” from a host of entities.

An additional step encourages continued investment in city parks as well as improved pedestrian access and safety in the downtown.

“While the city is mostly served by sidewalks, the condition and maintenance varies widely,” they explain. “This is also true of crosswalks,” specifically highlighting the intersection of Pennsylvania Ave. and Second Ave. for improvement.

There’s also a call for improved downtown signage, especially as redevelopment of the riverfront continues.

Speaking of the riverfront, there’s a call for “mixed use” – both housing and business – along the riverfront.

“Many more people are looking for ways to spend time outdoors and enjoy nature,” the plan states. “Providing these options opens up opportunities to attract new residents and businesses.”

The last strategy identified focuses on the “gateways” or entrance points into the city.

Signage at those entrance points – specifically identified as Ludlow St., Main Ave., Market St. and the Glade Bridge – was identified and the consultants said the feedback they received “consistently” highlighted that “most of the entrance into the City need improvement and that there is not consistent signage or messaging to let visitors and others know they are entering the City of Warren.”

A series of specific action stems are outlined to address this concern.

The comment period for the plan runs through Jan. 12. From there it will go before city council for consideration and adoption.

It can be found online at warrencitycomprehensiveplan.mystrikingly.com with hard copies available at the Warren Public Library, Allegheny Community Center, Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry and the municipal building.

Randy Rossey, the city’s director of codes and planning, discussed who will be responsible for enacting the plan during Wednesday’s EDA meeting.

“Technically, the Planning Commission owns the comprehensive plan,” he said, “in terms of making sure (the city) move(s) forward with it, working in conjunction with city council.”