(KAIR)--The first of two public input sessions to assist Atchison’s growth through what’s called “an exciting process to define a new vision through placemaking,” was held Thursday.

The session, physically held as part of the regular meeting of the Atchison Kiwanis Club, was held online for the public.

Placemaking, or “a people centered approach to building strong, vibrant communities,” was further defined during the session by Alex Holland, the Vice-President of Atlas Community Studios, which she called a small firm “that assists small and rural communities develop collaborative, strategic plans” that can actually be implemented.

Atlas is one of several groups partnering for the initiative, made possible through a grant from the USDA’s Rural Placemaking Innovation Challenge to Create a Placemaking Action Plan.

Holland, who serves as Project Manager for the program, explained that Atchison is one of three communities participating in the challenge, along with Sheffield, Iowa and Allen County, Kansas.

Joining Holland virtually for the session was Clint Sloss, Creative Placemaker for Kansas City-based McClure, which specializes in engineering and community development.

Holland explained that an action plan, focused on three key priorities for the City of Atchison, housing, culture, and downtown revitalization, will be developed as part of the process.

Once the details were outlined, Holland began collecting input from meeting attendees.

Opinions were gained based on a range of questions pertaining to the earlier outlined priorities, including matters of Atchison housing, business, and culture, prior to the session’s end.

Atchison Assistant City Manager Justin Pregont spoke at the meeting’s conclusion, saying that the process is ongoing, and input can always be provided by the public through meetings with City leaders at Atchison City Hall.

A second session, similar to the first, will be held Tuesday morning from 8:30 until 10:00.

Attendance will be done online, with those attending asked to pre-register.