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Searcy unveils 20-year master plan to revitalize city

The master plan aims to improve transportation, infrastructure and the city's park system.

SEARCY, Ark. — Big plans are in the works in Searcy as city leaders develop a 20-year master plan to revitalize the community. 

"Ultimately, we're building a community for the community," Searcy Mayor Mat Faulkner said.

That's why Faulkner said it's essential to get direct feedback from those who live in the city. 

"It's not just one particular segment that we're focusing on," Faulkner said. "It's all ages, all demographics, all accessibility and ability types."

The 20-year master plan aims to improve transportation, infrastructure and the city's park system. 

"Last night, we had a fantastic public event at our community center," Faulkner said. "We had over 300 people come out and walk through all of the data and the information that came through that planning process."

Right now, the city is in the project's design and implementation phase, and it has taken a year and a half to get to this point. 

City Planning and Development Director Richard Stafford said there's still a lot of work to be done. 

"We're obviously trying to look at the things that are most important to the community and rank those lists," Stafford said. "I think those are the things... the community center, outdoor aquatics facility. Those things have continually risen to the top throughout the planning process."

Right behind those comes the interest in adding more walking and biking trails to expand connectivity. 

"We're really trying to focus more on not just the recreation side of things, but also creating a transportation network," Stafford said. "So people can get to their jobs, places where they want to shop, by any means other than just vehicles."

Faulkner expects the city's population to grow in the coming years and said this master plan would benefit current and future residents. 

"We want to make sure that all of our facilities throughout the community are accessible and usable and will just enhance the quality of life," Faulkner said. "Make it a place where people love to live, love to work and Searcy is a great place to raise a family."

Currently, the project has no price tag because the city is still getting input from the community to see what they want to build.

They're also working to get some grants to help cover some of the cost.

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