For the last two years, I've been part of the committee that's planned and promoted the Concordia Music Fest, a downtown outdoor evening showcase for area singers and bands. Not only has this become a great new addition to our annual Fall Fest celebration, allowing current community members the chance to reconnect with area alumni while fully extending our town's biggest bash for a few more hours, but it's also afforded us a glimpse into the immense potential that exists at

Not so long ago, the corner at 6th and Broadway in downtown Concordia seemed destined to become a display lot for gravestone monuments. Those plans were not set in stone, and the monuments found a better resting place at another downtown location. The corner, which was laid bare by a 1999 fire that destroyed five storefront buildings, now rises again as Broadway Plaza. The philosophical underpinnings of this renewal are grounded in the concept of placemaking. Google this term

The wall is almost up, the bathroom and concessions building has taken shape. The Broadway Plaza is on its way to completion. As we move closer and closer to the finish line it is important to think back and remember why we started this project in the first place. We were getting closer to the end of the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district lifespan. TIF was passed when I was in high school. I will admit I wasn’t paying much attention then. Those who passed it had an immedi