Public invited to participate in discussion about getting around downtown

LACONIA — There are more than two ways to get around downtown and Lakes Region Listens will host a community conversation on Monday, March 5 between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. at the Belknap Mill to explore what might be done to create a more congenial setting for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.

The event, which will begin with a light supper, is open to the general public. Anyone wishing to participate may pre-register by e-mail at lakesregionlistens@gmail.com or at the door the day of the event. More information can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/LRListens or on the website at www.lakesregionlistens.org.

Lakes Region Listens was established under the auspices of the Lakes Region United Way as an affiliate of New Hampshire Listens. Its mission is "to facilitate informed and meaningful community dialogue on critical issues." Ed Engler, editor & publisher of The Daily Sun, and Carmen Lorentz, executive director of the Belknap County Economic Development Council, serve as co-chairs of the organization, which is led by a steering committee.

Attorney Mike Persson, a steering committee member who will oversee the discussion about improving mobility downtown, said that the initiative sprang from the recent decision of the City Council to shelve a plan to open Beacon Street East and Beacon Street West to two-way traffic. Although there was scant support for the plan, he said, there was interest in addressing issues arising from it. The community conversation will ask: "What changes, if any, should be made to downtown Laconia in order to improve overall mobility for everyone?"

Those who attend, Persson explained, will work in groups of between eight and twelve, each led by facilitator whose role is to structure and focus the discussion. Each group will be asked to present a summary of its major findings, concerns and recommendations. For example, Persson said, a group may identify the intersection where Pleasant Street enters Veteran's Square and joins Beacon Street West as a concern and suggest ways of addressing it.

"We're not talking about the two-way thing," he remarked.

The results of the exercise, in the form of written reports from each group, will be presented to the Planning Board at its regularly scheduled monthly meeting the next evening, Tuesday, March 6.