City of Merriam Launches Downtown Master Plan

Published on April 20, 2026

The City of Merriam is excited to announce the official kickoff of its Downtown Master Plan, a forward-looking effort to guide the future of the city’s core as a vibrant, connected, and economically resilient destination.

Building on Merriam’s strong sense of community and strategic location within Johnson County, the Downtown Master Plan will establish a shared vision for how the area can evolve to better serve residents, businesses, and visitors. The planning process will explore opportunities to enhance walkability, support local businesses, introduce new housing and mixed-use development, and create inviting public spaces that reflect Merriam’s unique character.

“This is an important moment for Merriam,” said Mayor Bob Pape. “Our downtown has tremendous potential, and this planning process will help us thoughtfully shape its future in a way that reflects our community’s values and aspirations.”

The City is partnering with Shockey Consulting to lead a comprehensive planning process that will result in a downtown-specific, implementation-ready roadmap. This effort will unify and translate prior planning efforts, market context, community priorities, and flood-mitigation realities into clear development expectations, public investment priorities, and a coordinated set of near-, mid-, and long-term actions. A key component of the effort will be robust community engagement to ensure the plan is grounded in local input.

Residents, business owners, and stakeholders will have multiple opportunities to get involved in the coming months. Engagement activities will include public meetings, interactive workshops, online surveys, and other outreach efforts designed to make participation accessible and meaningful.

“We want to hear from the community early and often,” said Sheila Shockey, Shockey Consulting Founder and CEO. “This plan will be shaped by the people who know Merriam best.”

More information about the Downtown Master Plan, including upcoming engagement opportunities and ways to participate, will be shared on the City’s website and social media channels.

For updates and project information, visit: www.merriam.org/downtownmasterplan