Why Lock Nine in Piqua Is Working and Why Whatever Troy is Doing May Not

One community takes residents on a journey of the possible. One community takes residents for a ride.

One of the early renderings of what Lock Nine Park was envisioned to look like

As someone with a deep history in both the cities of Piqua and Troy, it’s often interesting to see how these two communities share similarities and differences. In one area, these two communities offer contrasting examples of how local governments can engage citizens in community development projects. Piqua's success with Lock Nine Park shows the power of sharing a clear vision, while Troy's approach to its riverfront project highlights the need for better communication and community involvement.

Piqua's Lock Nine Park: A Vision Realized

Piqua recently opened Lock Nine Park, a vibrant community space that has quickly become a local favorite. The park features a performance pavilion with stunning views of the Great Miami River, a water fountain that doubles as a splash pad, and beautifully landscaped areas for relaxation and gatherings. The latest improvements, costing $2.3 million, are part of a larger that project really began as a simple rendering over a decade ago, but it has now transformed into a cornerstone of the community.

The success of Lock Nine Park can be traced back to the city's commitment to sharing a clear and compelling vision with its residents. City officials made it a priority to communicate their plans widely, building enthusiasm among residents long before construction began. This approach ensured that the community felt involved and invested in the project from the very beginning.

The Fort Piqua Plaza: Setting the Stage for Success

Piqua's approach to Lock Nine Park built on earlier successes, such as the Fort Piqua Plaza project. Over ten years ago, the city undertook the ambitious task of renovating the old Fort Piqua Hotel, transforming it into a bustling community hub. The project included a new home for the public library and a banquet facility, but its impact went far beyond these immediate benefits.

The key to Piqua's success was the creation of clear visual representations of the proposed changes. City leaders, like City Engineer Tom Zechman, shared these visions with various community groups, explaining how the projects would benefit the city while addressing concerns and gathering input from residents. This open communication helped Piqua dream big and achieve impressive results.

During my first week on the job when I worked for the City, Mr. Zechman showed a PowerPoint presentation of his vision for the Fort Piqua Hotel renovations. The most striking slide depicted a glaring hole in the streetscape where the hotel had been removed, serving as a stark warning of what the community could become without the building.

Zechman’s vision was not just about what the hotel could become, but also a call to action for the community to prevent a loss of its heritage. Zechman gave this presentation to every service club, church group, coffee klatch, and any other gathering where two or more people were present. He understood that having a plan was one thing, but having a vision that others could share and feel optimistic about was something entirely different.

The most lasting legacy of the Fort Piqua Plaza wasn't just the physical improvements, but the proof that the citizens of Piqua could dream big and see those dreams come to fruition.

The Beginning of Lock Nine Park

Right before I left the City of Piqua, there were renderings on easels scattered around the City Building, showing a pavilion right downtown along the Great Miami River. This was the first vision of Lock Nine Park, set forth at least ten years ago. The vision was ambitious, which was good, although there were concerns about the price tag. However, the goal of these renderings was simple: to give people a visual of what the future could look like and to garner a sense of enthusiasm. The City already had a jewel in the Fort Piqua Plaza, and there was certainly room for another stone in the crown.

A decade later, the vision has become a reality, with the latest improvements costing the city $2.3 million. As the new Lock Nine Park opened to the public and hosted events, even the project’s detractors admitted that the new park had the potential to be a great asset for the community. While some details, like parking, still need to be addressed, a strong foundation to help reimagine the community has been laid.

Troy's Riverfront Project: A Communication Gap

In contrast, Troy is embarking on a $12 million "Great Miami River Connectivity Project," which includes removing a low-head dam, building new recreation trails, creating a Riverfront Plaza Park, and adding pickleball courts at Herrlinger Park.

However, Troy has not effectively shared its vision for these improvements. There is a noticeable lack of visual renderings in public spaces, detailed plans on the city website, and very little social media outreach about the projects. Additionally, opportunities for public input and discussion have been limited. The few times residents (and even elected officials) have asked questions or provided input on these projects, these comments seem to summarily dismissed with the proverbial flick of the wrist.

The importance of sharing a clear vision cannot be overstated. Effective community development requires more than just good ideas; local governments must create clear, visual plans for proposed changes and share these plans widely with residents. It is essential to explain the benefits of the projects while listening to and addressing community concerns. Building enthusiasm and support over time is crucial for turning big ideas into successful initiatives that truly benefit the community.

Learning from Piqua's Example

Troy could improve its approach by creating and sharing visual renderings of the proposed changes, holding public meetings to discuss the projects, and using social media and the city website to keep residents informed. Actively seeking and incorporating public input would also foster greater trust and enthusiasm for its development plans, ultimately leading to better outcomes for the community.

The lesson from Piqua is clear: show people what you are doing and get them to come on board. By doing so, cities can build trust, enthusiasm, and a sense of shared purpose, ensuring that community development projects are successful and beneficial for all residents.

In the end, it appears one community is willing to take residents on a journey to show what is possible in their community. The other community simply wants to take residents for a ride.

What do you think?

What do you think? Is it important to have a vision to get community support for projects? How well do you think your community is doing in getting support for such projects? Our paid subscribers are encouraged to live their ideas and thoughts in the comment thread!

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