Greensburg - American Planning Association

Massing
Buildings do not just enclose indoor
environments; they are the objects that
define the outdoor environment and
should be strategically positioned to
create outdoor space. Building mass
can be placed to create gateways into
districts or placed in open space, like
the Kiowa County Courthouse, to
express their importance.
Moving building frontage up to the
sidewalk in downtown districts creates
a “street wall” that encloses and
focuses street and sidewalk activity.
Stakeholder groups met on many
occasions to discuss their preference
for the building height in downtown. By
analyzing massing diagrams and
comparative renderings they decided
that two story buildings help create a
more rich downtown character and are
encouraged. It was also determined
that two or three story buildings on
corners in downtown are important for
creating a sense of place in Greensburg.
If building projects located on the
corner lots in Greensburg cannot afford
a two or three story building they
should build to a standard that would
allow a second and/or third floor to be
added in the future. Whenever possible,
codes and zoning should reflect and
influence this quality.
creating energy and
activity
Great downtowns support a wide variety
of uses and it is this diversity that makes
them exciting, active places. An array of
businesses that provide basic needs for
the community and facilitate pedestrian
activity should be encouraged along
with residential uses.
Residential development is an
increasingly prominent part of
downtown redevelopment. Lofts,
condos, and live/work scenarios often
do well in downtown areas and could
provide Greensburg with a more
consistent street life and sustainable
economy. This type of living is attractive
to a young demographic and will help
attract new talent. A diversity of
housing types is an important technique
to maximize the community’s appeal to
all ages.
Businesses in Downtown
The type of businesses that will develop
in downtown Greensburg are what make
it truly unique. Local economies are
vital to the success of rural towns and
Greensburg needs to encourage and
incentivize local business owners to
rebuild in downtown. It is also important
to locate as many activity generators as
possible in downtown. For instance
restaurants, libraries, resource centers,
retail stores, schools, city hall, and
banks are all appropriate businesses for
the main street corridor. Businesses
that do not see consistent activity
throughout the day, or that require a
large amount of property, should be
discouraged from building in downtown.
These businesses could include storage
facilities, car dealerships, car washes, or
gas stations. It is recommended that
City zoning regulations be amended to
restrict inappropriate downtown
businesses.
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Greensburg Comprehensive Master Plan
CITY OF GREENSBURG, KANSAS + BNIM
This drawing looks south down Main Street and shows the visual benefits of 2-3 story buildings in downtown.