City Times Staff

The City Plan Commission on Monday gave an initial stamp of approval on some major upgrades for Pfiffner Pioneer Park.

The “Cultural Commons” will celebrate the city’s artistic and cultural partnerships with Nicaragua and sister city Rostov Veliky, Russsia, as well as the city’s Polish heritage, is proposed for a space on the park near the Riverfront Arts Center.

Representatives from Rostov Veliky are expected to visit the city in late October.

The city worked with several groups on the project, including the Rotary Club and sister city organizations, but did not submit present the project for public vetting until the Oct. 5 meeting, At that time two members of the public said they liked the idea of the project, but would have appreciated more public involvement.

The Plan Commission approved the project’s concept unanimously.

Plans include a commemorative garden and outdoor classroom with a masonry arch entryway and stone garden walls surrounding various sculpture work, floral gardens, a pergola and labyrinth. An interactive web and smart phone app will also be part of the finished project.

If approved by the full City Council on Oct. 19, the $500,000 project will break ground in the spring of 2016, with an official opening in summer of 2017.