Rainbow City looks for community input as it plans for the future
Article from ABC33/40
Chambless King Architects leads the planning team for Rainbow City
Rainbow City officials are looking to create a comprehensive master plan for the next 25 years with the help of residents.
This comes as the city is seeing some positive growth. According to the census, Rainbow City saw a 10 % increase, despite Etowah County's population as a whole declining.
Mayor Joe Taylor says that growth is due to many factors, like good education in the area, more businesses moving in and retirees moving into town because of the lake.
The master plan will be a guide for growth and focuses on many aspects of the community, from housing and transportation to commercial and industrial growth
Before determining when to tackle improvements for each of these, the city is looking for residents to tell them what they think is most important.
"To plan the city, we need to know what the people serve [want], how they feel about the city," said Mayor Joe Taylor.
Rainbow City's master plan will have a timeline to address improvements in the community.
"The plan is divided into segments. Those segments are immediate, which is a very dynamic plan, and then we will have a portion of the plan that will go out to five years, then 10 years, and out to probably 20 to 25 years," explained Taylor.
Some residents want to see more offered through recreation.
"Some parks, some things for the kids to do so they aren't at home playing Xbox or doing anything illegal. You know keep them safe," said Trevor Barnett.
Other residents commented they wanted more entertainment closer to home.
Through an online survey for the plan, several residents expressed that transportation should be at the top of the list.
"If you are a taxpayer of the city, you should have an input of what you want in it," said Barnett.
Leaders believe this plan will help ensure a growing population is accounted for.
"Not only are we poised for growth. We are also in a position where we could literally destroy our city by not being proactive and looking at the areas we need to grow in," said Mayor Taylor.
Mayor Taylor tells ABC 33/40 the final plan should be completed in eight months.
Residents still have time to chime in - the survey is available on the city's website and Facebook page.