Warren City Council members were quick last week to say one reason it hired Pashek/Larson Karle Architects to craft a new Allegheny Riverfront development master plan is the firm’s track record working with the city on projects in the past.

The consultant is starting in a strong place after a recent public survey that generated roughly 40 potential ideas for further development along the river to go along with the first phase of work that is expected to begin soon. The master plan will take those ideas and refine them into realistic, buildable ideas with professional renderings that can help drive both future development and future fundraising efforts.

While Pashek/Larson Karle has done good work for the city in the past, the quality of the Allegheny Riverfront master plan hinges not on the consultant, but on Warren residents. The best planning processes hinge on public input and open discussions not just among the city’s decision makers, but city residents who are affected by the riverfront.

Too often we see fresh ideas come up far too late in the planning or approval process. That’s happened with development projects like a planned downtown senior housing project. It happened with earlier riverfront development projects. Working to redevelop the riverfront is an opportunity for Warren to capitalize on an asset that can benefit city residents in the form of additional traffic downtown and additional dollars flowing into the local economy. We’d love to see planning meetings packed with area residents ready to engage in the planning process now so that, as city officials begin to carry out the plan, there is public agreement on what the riverfront should become in the future.

The master plan will only be as good as we make it regardless of how highly regarded the consulting firm is.