SALISBURY — How can downtown Salisbury serve you and your community now and in the future?

Residents and business people are invited to share their opinions at a drop-in Open House Thursday, June 23, 5-7 p.m., at the Gateway Building — first floor, 204 E. Innes St. Reception and beverages will be supplied by New Sarum Brewery and Downtown Salisbury Inc.

The open house will be the first of three in the “Open House Series on Public Improvements” for downtown, being sponsored by Downtown Salisbury Inc. The purpose of the series is to consider what public improvements should be made to ensure the long-term vitality of downtown Salisbury.

The first open house will consider “How can we assure downtown Salisbury can:

• Continue to support existing and attract new businesses?
• Attract people to live in and around downtown?
• Provide housing options for downtown?
• Serve the needs of our community and region?”

“Our goal at Downtown Salisbury is to contribute to the creation of a vibrant downtown that is active with people and that will be prosperous in the future,” said Greg Shields, DSI board chair. “Our vision for our downtown is one that supports existing business and attracts growth both commercially and residentially.”

Residents and business people can drop by the open house at any time between 5 and 7 p.m. They will be able to view open house boards, talk to staff and provide written comments about downtown, the open house process and evaluation criteria.

“We want the public to guide decisions that council makes about downtown infrastructure. Public input is critical to this process,” said Mayor Karen Alexander.

For more information about this event, contact Sheila Ezzo at 704-637-7814.