Downtown Master Plan: What We've Heard and Three Possible Futures

Published on August 10, 2026

Since launching the Downtown Merriam Master Plan in March, the City has been asking community members a big question: what should downtown become? Through a public workshop, community pop-ups, two online surveys, stake holder interviews, and an ongoing Steering Committee, hundreds of residents have weighed in. All that input has shaped three draft visions for downtown's future.

Today the City is launching Survey #3, the third and most detailed input opportunity yet. Community members can compare the three visions side by side and tell the City which direction fits Merriam best. Input gathered from this survey will directly shape the draft plan headed to the Planning Commission and City Council for adoption consideration in November.

What We've Heard So Far

Across the workshop, pop-ups, and earlier surveys, residents have consistently pointed to the same priorities for downtown: local businesses that meet everyday needs, artisan and maker spaces, public art and murals, a farmers' market, a splash pad and family play area by the creek, the Turkey Creek trail connection, walkable streets with good lighting and landscaping, and inviting outdoor gathering spaces. Every vision below builds on these shared priorities. The difference between them is how much of downtown changes, and how fast.

Three Visions, Three Very Different Downtowns

Vision A — Refine: Downtown stays largely as it is today — cleaned up, refreshed, minimal new construction. No new housing, so activity stays mostly daytime. Lowest cost, least disruption to current property owners, and no new flood protection.
Vision B — Grow: New buildings — including some housing in downtown — fill the land already clear of the floodplain. A few more new shops and restaurants take shape, and activity stretches into evenings and weekends. Land east of Merriam Drive is protected from flooding.
Vision C — Transform: A complete flood-control project removes the entire downtown core from the regulatory floodplain, opening the door to development on both sides of Merriam Drive. The result: a full, two-sided walkable main street with 250+ homes, shops, restaurants active up to 18 hours a day, seven days a week — the biggest change, the biggest investment and the most disruption to current owners.

Each vision involves real tradeoffs in cost, timing, and how much of downtown is protected from flooding — and each keeps existing businesses in place.

Survey #3 is open now through mid-October at merriam.org/dmmp. Community members can also talk with the planning team in person at:

Aug. 15 — Merriam Farmers' Market pop-up, Merriam Marketplace, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Sept. 1 — Open House #2, Merriam City Hall, 4–6 p.m.
Sept. 12 — Turkey Creek Car and Motorcycle Show pop-up, Merriam Marketplace, 12 - 2 p.m.
Oct. 3 — Merriam Drive Live pop-up, 4 - 6 p.m.

For more information on the Downtown Master Plan, visit merriam.org/downtown.