Updated Comprehensive Plan Embraces Shared Vision for the Future of Long Prairie

When the City of Long Prairie set out to create an addendum to its Comprehensive Plan to help further shape the future of the community, the well-being of its residents was at the core.

The goal? Develop a neighborhood where all feel welcome and have access to an excellent quality of life; where folks feel at home and are invited to participate in educational opportunities, professional growth, and fellowship.

On September 10, an addendum to the plan was adopted by the City, which builds on community input gathered through surveys and meetings that will guide the growth of Long Prairie.

A Strategic Map

With a focus on intentionality, the plan serves as a strategic map for the next ten to fifteen years. A living document to guide city officials and staff in their decisions regarding economic growth.

But rather than completely disregard past planning efforts, the updated plan intends to continue where those efforts left off. This includes reviewing past goals to determine if they have been accomplished and whether they are still relevant.

Created in partnership with Minnesota Pollution Control Agency’s funding through their Community Energy & Environment Planning for Vulnerable Rural Communities program, the new plan is divided into six broad sections covering:

• Broadband, Transportation, Community Facilities, Housing, Brownfield Development
• Community Services, including access to childcare and safety
• Food Security
• Welcoming Communities, Opportunities for Innovation
• Zoning
• Energy Efficiency, Stormwater Management, Soil, Waste, and Parks & Recreation

Community Input

A major cornerstone of the updated comprehensive plan has been community input, which was gathered throughout the planning process.

The Region Five Development Commission was instrumental in providing technical assistance and facilitating regular meetings with community stakeholders.

From the start, the Local Planning Team (LPT) set out to collect as much information as possible through a public informational kickoff meeting held on January 24, 2024, and a community survey that included 186 individual responses to 21 questions.

Once that input was received, the LPT got to work, spending a considerable amount of time identifying solutions that would address the challenges noted during the planning process.

Residents who were unable to attend the local planning team meetings were encouraged to visit a dedicated webpage to stay informed of the planning process by reading updates related to meeting agendas, handouts, and summaries of the meetings, surveys, and outcomes.

Opportunities for Innovation

With community feedback and stakeholder input top of mind, the updated plan outlines a variety of opportunities for innovation to enhance the quality of life for Long Prairie residents.

From infrastructure improvements to creating a vibrant downtown ecosystem, these strategies include:

• The implementation of an educational program for community members
• Building a community center to serve the needs of the city and its residents
• Enhancing alternative transportation methods and increasing their availability to the community
• Enhancing pedestrian crossings and infrastructure to promote safety and walkability throughout the city
• Reducing blighted properties and increasing housing availability while exploring different housing options
• Developing a downtown revitalization plan to renew Long Prairie’s look and feel and make it a more vibrant and welcoming place
• Creation of strategic initiatives and coordinated efforts that support year-round job creation and sustainable economic growth

The City of Long Prairie would like to thank everyone who shared their feedback, frustrations, and hopes for the future of our community.

This new plan represents the dedication of all who invested their time, thought, and energy towards our collective success!