Phase II - Oz Commons Community Hub

Project Background

In 2021, Osawatomie undertook our biggest planning effort in decades with the OZ Commons Downtown Redevelopment Plan. This planning effort was a great success thanks to strong public support. The plan has made many positive impacts in Osawatomie including:

• Strengthening of the community's identity and role in the region.
• Providing a vision of a vibrant, connected, and green future with several bikeway & trail projects identified that connect key corridors to downtown Osawatomie.
• Influencing street projects and pedestrian pathways.
• Providing a foundation to win grants from KDOT, KDWP, and other local organizations.
• Been a catalyst in creating Osawatomie’s Trail Commission and Arts Commission.

The City has now received its second grant through the MARC Planning Sustainable Places (PSP) Program. This grant allows us to begin Phase II! Phase II will build upon the successes and community input received from Phase I to identify specific bike and pedestrian improvements that will connect downtown to many of Osawatomie’s trails and historic sites. Phase II will also advance the vision for the vacant lots located downtown at 530 and 534 Main Street that are currently known as Main Street Plaza.

The plaza is the preliminary stage of development for Phase II. In 2022, as the City applied and prepared for a second round of PSP activities, an investment in the properties was planned to help illustrate what the final space could include and prepare the property for future development. In March of 2023, the City was awarded $10,000 from the Hawkins Foundation and received $10,000 from Greater Osawatomie to accomplish this transitional plan. Main Street Plaza (its temporary name) will eventually reach its final form of development after the latest PSP planning work is completed by the community.

Re-imagining these two downtown lots was part of the first phase of the Oz Commons project in 2021. Draft renderings based upon community input were included in the final recommendations presented to City Council in October of that year. After this second phase of planning and design work is complete, the lots will begin a new chapter as 'The Hub,' a central gathering place where visitors and residents can:

• gather
• celebrate
• communicate
• and GET ACTIVE!

The recommendations and desires of the public will work to shape the ultimate look and function of The Hub and turn this vision into reality.

Plan Outcomes and Key Goals for "The Hub"

• Build upon the successes of the OZ Commons Redevelopment Plan by cultivating resident and stakeholder dialog to identify a sustainable bike and pedestrian network that improves connections to Osawatomie’s historic downtown.
• Anchor Osawatomie’s downtown renewal efforts by enhancing the vibrancy and sustainability of the central business district through pedestrian-scale improvements of underutilized public and private spaces.
• Create a downtown community hub to serve as a meeting place and launching point for residents and visitors.
• Fueled by the community engagement process, provide specific individual projects with preliminary cost projections that can be adopted by the City and reflect Osawatomie’s heritage, values, and aspirations.
• Engage the community to determine a consistent theme of branding and placemaking through signage to support Osawatomie’s connectivity improvements.

How Do I Get Involved?

• Make sure you are subscribed to The Hub News and follow us on Facebook or Twitter for all project updates!
• See below for the Project Announcements & Events and Project Schedule

Phase II "The Hub" Project Announcements & Events

• April 27, 2023 | Groundbreaking with City Council and Community
• May 19, 2023 | Informal Community Preference Survey (CLOSED 6/29/2023 4:30pm)
• July 1^st | Community Survey (Now Closed - September 29th, 2023)
  • Take the survey to provide your feedback on The Hub and trail connections
  • Paper copies of the survey can be provided upon request if necessary.
• July 18^th | Community Open House #1 anytime from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm | Osawatomie Public Library (527 Brown Avenue)
  • Join us at a Community Open House to meet the team and discuss your desires for the future of Osawatomie!
• July 25^th | Community Open House #2 anytime from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm | Memorial Hall (411 11th Street)
  • Join us at a Community Open House to meet the team and discuss your desires for the future of Osawatomie!
• August 17th | Listening Session #1 anytime from 1:00pm - 4:00pm | Memorial Hall (411 11th Street)
  • Join us anytime for a casual one-on-one conversation with City staff about the future of The Hub and Osawatomie.
• August 31st | Listening Session #2 anytime from 5:00pm - 8:00pm | Memorial Hall (411 11th Street)
  • Join us anytime for a casual one-on-one conversation with City staff about the future of The Hub and Osawatomie.
• December 14th | Final Recommendations Presented to Osawatomie City Council at 6:30pm | Memorial Hall (411 11th Street)
  • Our consultant team will be delivering a presentation on the final recommendations from the OzCommons Phase II planning process at this week's City Council meeting.
    • Download the Phase II Final Recommendations

"The Hub" Project Calendar