The Benton Harbor City Commission has approved the draft Best Benton Harbor Community Plan, or the city’s new master plan.
Commissioners signed off on the planning document Monday with no comment. Now that it’s been approved, a 63-day review period begins. Anyone can see the plan at BestBentonHarbor.com.
The master plan has big ideas for the city, seeking a doubling of its population by 2040. To go along with that, the plan envisions a housing construction boom with a focus on middle incomes to avoid gentrification. It also creates new “opportunity areas,” including the Black Wall Street Opportunity Area, the Education Opportunity Area, and the Entertainment and Arts Opportunity Area.
After the 63-day review period, there will be a public hearing on the master plan, which could get final approval late this year.
Under state law, municipalities must have master plans that are reviewed every five years.
