Community invited to participate in Plan Jonesboro Design Week March 30–April 2

The City of Jonesboro invites residents, business owners, and community stakeholders to participate in Plan Jonesboro Design Week, a series of interactive public events taking place March 30 through April 2 as part of the City’s comprehensive planning effort.

Design Week marks a key milestone in the development of Plan Jonesboro, which will guide growth over the next 30 years. During the week, a design team from DPZ CoDesign and Crafton Tull will establish an on-site working studio, developing draft concepts in real time based on community input. Residents will be able to review ideas as they take shape and provide feedback throughout the week.

“Design week is about listening and working alongside the community,” said City of Jonesboro Chief Operating Officer, Tony Thomas. “The ideas shared during the week will directly shape Plan Jonesboro and help ensure it reflects the priorities and values of the people who live and work here.”

Unlike traditional planning processes that unfold over months between meetings, Design Week concentrates engagement into a focused series of hands-on sessions and pop-up conversations. This approach allows participants to directly influence the planning process while giving the design team the ability to respond quickly and incorporate feedback as ideas evolve. The result is a more efficient, inclusive, and community-driven outcome.

The City encourages the community to attend as many events as possible, as each session will offer unique opportunities to engage in the process and contribute input.

Two public open houses at the Jonesboro “Y” Youth Community Center, 1421 W. Nettleton Ave., will anchor the week:

• Monday, March 30 (5:30–7:30 p.m.) – Introductory Open House. This interactive session will feature hands-on exercises where attendees can share insights, ideas, and priorities for the future of Jonesboro.
• Thursday, April 2 (5:30–7:30 p.m.) – Closing Open House. The final open house will present key findings and concepts developed throughout the week, and gather feedback for further refinement.

Pop-up events within the community will also be a part of Design week, offering spontaneous opportunities for residents to engage in the planning process. Each event offers a different opportunity to participate.

“Design Week is unique because it puts the community at the center of the planning process, interacting with the designers as ideas for the future are being created,” said Matt Lambert of DPZ CoDesign. “That real-time collaboration leads to greater community ownership and ultimately, the concepts and direction that truly reflect the character and priorities of Jonesboro.”

“Public input is the key to this process. We encourage all residents to get involved and take part in the survey to ensure their perspective is heard,” stated Mayor Harold Copenhaver.

For updates, additional information and opportunities for input, visit PlanJonesboro.com.

Public Survey Now Live on PlanJonesboro.com

Public encouraged to share input through online survey and interactive map

As Jonesboro plans for the next 30 years, city leaders are inviting residents to help shape next steps through Plan Jonesboro. A public survey and interactive map are now live at PlanJonesboro.com, giving the community an opportunity to guide the city’s future.

“This comprehensive plan is a foundational step in our Destination 100k initiative,” stated Mayor Harold Copenhaver. “In order to be serious about preparing Jonesboro to be a city of 100,000 residents, we must plan intentionally today. Growth will happen. It is happening – and our responsibility is to ensure it happens in a way that strengthens neighborhoods and positions us for the future. Destination 100k is not about reaching a number; it’s about building a stronger, smarter city for the generations coming behind us.”

Plan Jonesboro, the City’s new comprehensive plan, will help guide growth over the next three decades – shaping development patterns, streets, parks, infrastructure, and overall quality of life. Residents are encouraged to share their thoughts early in the process, prior to key decisions being made.

The online survey allows participants to highlight what they value most and what the city should prioritize moving forward. The interactive map gives residents a chance to comment on specific locations across Jonesboro, identifying areas for improvement, investment, or preservation. Both tools are available at PlanJonesboro.com.

“Community input is essential to ensuring this plan reflects the priorities of the people who live and work here,” Mayor Copenhaver added. “We want to hear from as many residents as possible, so the plan is grounded in local experience and shared goals.”

Community input will guide the planning process throughout the year. A public open house kickoff was held on February 12, and additional public meetings are planned, including a multi-day workshop and open houses March 30 through April 3. Feedback received through April 3 will directly shape phase one of Plan Jonesboro.

To learn more and help shape the future of Jonesboro, visit PlanJonesboro.com.

Strong Turnout at Plan Jonesboro Open House Signals Appetite to “Think big”

— More than 100 residents gathered Feb. 12 at the Earl Bell Community Center to share what they value most about Jonesboro, and what must improve as the city grows. The open house marked the first public meeting for Plan Jonesboro, the City’s comprehensive planning effort to guide growth over the next 30 years.

Participants examined information boards about demographics, economics, housing, land use, and transportation, then took part in interactive mapping and visioning exercises. Residents identified community strengths, future hopes, and key concerns that will help shape the plan.

One resident described the event as “warm and friendly” and “not at all what I expected,” adding that she felt “right at home sharing both hopes and concerns with others.”

Residents consistently praised Jonesboro’s people and strong sense of community. The city’s small-town character, schools and churches, Arkansas State University, Foundation of Arts, the medical community, local businesses, proximity to larger metropolitan areas, and a growing downtown were all highlighted as core strengths.

At the same time, many voiced concern that growth is outpacing infrastructure and coordination. Traffic congestion, aging roads, limited sidewalks and bike connections, and the need for stronger long-term planning were recurring themes. One resident said she is “dying for walkability,” noting she must walk in the street in her neighborhood. Red Wolf Boulevard was frequently cited as a corridor needing attention, along with calls for better coordination to manage growth intentionally.

Investment in youth and families emerged as one of the strongest priorities. Residents called for more activities for children and teens, expanded parks and recreation options, senior amenities, arts and cultural events, and stronger support for public institutions such as schools and the library.

Concerns about housing costs, homelessness, environmental quality, and preserving green space were also raised. Many participants stressed that future growth should protect what makes Jonesboro special while expanding opportunity and inclusion.

One resident remarked that the community is “not thinking big enough.” Plan Jonesboro aims to meet that challenge by aligning land use, transportation, infrastructure, and community priorities into a coordinated long-term strategy.

“These meetings are about listening,” said Julie Luther Kelso, vice president of planning at Crafton Tull. “We want to understand how residents experience Jonesboro today and what they want it to become, what they think is working, and what can be better. That’s how a shared vision takes shape.”

As the planning process continues, additional themes will emerge from community input. which will be developed into actionable strategies as part of the comprehensive plan.

The next phase of engagement will take place March 30 through April 3, when the community is invited to participate in a multi-day design workshop featuring additional interactive exhibits and opportunities to share what they value, what they would like to change, and how they envision the city’s future.

Residents can also complete a survey and contribute ideas through an interactive map at PlanJonesboro.com.

NOTE TO MEDIA: Names were not included in this release to preserve anonymity and encourage candid feedback during the planning process. If you are interested in speaking with any of the individuals quoted, we can potentially contact them to determine their willingness to participate in additional interviews.

Community invited to help shape Jonesboro’s future

Plan Jonesboro kicks off with open house to be held on Feb. 12 at Earl Bell Community Center

JONESBORO, Ark. — How should Jonesboro grow over the next 30 years and how can the community make sure that growth strengthens what people value most? Those questions are at the heart of Plan Jonesboro, the City’s new comprehensive planning effort. The plan will combine community input with data on population, housing, infrastructure, and finances to create a clear, practical roadmap for Jonesboro’s future.

“The master planning process is critical in preparing Jonesboro for the projected growth we anticipate over the next three decades. This is an excellent opportunity for residents to get involved, be active and have a say in how we prepare for the future together as a community.” – Mayor Harold Copenhaver

The City of Jonesboro is working with DPZ CoDesign and Crafton Tull to gather input from residents whose perspectives will form the backbone of the plan. The plan will focus on protecting what the community values most while providing a framework to ensure Jonesboro remains an attractive and resilient place to live for generations to come.

A public open house focusing on the community’s vision for Jonesboro’s future will be held on Feb. 12 from 5-7 p.m. at the Earl Bell Community Center, 1212 S. Church St. From March 30 through April 3, a multi-day community workshop will offer a variety of ways for residents to explore and discuss different approaches to growth, development, and neighborhood investment. The planning team has already begun collecting valuable information from community stakeholders and City staff as the beginning stages of the process begins, but these in-person opportunities for the community to share their specific insight are an essential part of the process.

“Public engagement isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the foundation of a successful comprehensive plan,” said Matt Lambert, partner with DPZ. “Hearing directly from people who live, work, and invest in Jonesboro helps us understand local priorities and create a shared vision that reflects the community’s values.”

The planning process begins with public engagement and information-gathering, giving residents and stakeholders multiple opportunities to share their insights, concerns, and ideas. Input from surveys, public meetings, and interactive work sessions will directly inform a draft plan that will be reviewed publicly before consideration by City leaders. The result will be a plan for Jonesboro’s future, grounded in community values.

Information about Plan Jonesboro, including meeting details, updates, and online engagement opportunities, is available at PlanJonesboro.com. The site will be updated regularly as the planning process moves forward.