By GARY DEMUTH

Salina Journal

Phil Black believes Salina should move forward -- and much of it could be done on a bicycle.

"There needs to be more than just a (bicycle) path here and path there," said Black, dean of academic affairs at Brown Mackie College and an avid bicyclist. "I'd like to see different color-coded paths, one leading downtown to the Central Mall, another going east and west."

Black made his wishes known Monday at the first of a series of public meetings for the Salina Comprehensive Plan update. The meeting, at Lakewood Middle School, focused on identifying community issues, assets, goals and a vision for Salina.

A second meeting, identical in content, will be today.

About 30 people attended Monday's public meeting, which focused on issues believed central to Salina's future growth, like transportation, health issues, arts and culture, tourism and revitalization in the downtown and north Salina areas.

The city's last comprehensive plan was written in 1992.

The public's comments will help guide city officials and the consulting firm the city hired, Gould Evans Associates of Kansas City, Mo., to update the plan.

Gould Evans consultant Grant Evans defined the plan's goals in four steps: discover, dream, design and deliver -- maybe to be completed before the end of the year.

"We'll continue to get public input for the next few months, then write the plan over the summer," he said. "We hope to have a plan drafted for adoption by September or October."

By the end of this week, Evans said, information gathered from the public forums Monday and Tuesday will be available on the city of Salina's Web site, ci.salina.ks.us. People also can contribute their ideas on the Web site, he said.

Salinan Ted Zerger, a retired math professor at Kansas Wesleyan University, believes more accessibility to city events for those who live in the north end of town is vital.

"Many people lack transportation and financial means to attend cultural events in the downtown area and don't feel comfortable going there," he said. "Events are going to have to go there, too."

Jessa Herrs, 26, moved to Salina from Olathe six months ago. She said she loves all the downtown shops and would like to see the downtown area continue to expand.

"Redevelopment would be nice in this area," said Herrs, a teacher at South Middle School. "I love old buildings and hometown stores where you can just walk and shop. I think it brings the community together."

nReporter Gary Demuth can be reached at 822-1405 or by e-mail at gdemuth@salina.com.