New Philadelphia, Ohio (WJER) - New Philadelphia officials are getting closer to having a blueprint for where they hope to lead the city over the next 11-years. 

University of Cincinnati School of Architecture Professor Michael McInturf and Mayor Joel Day met with area stakeholders to discuss their findings over a year-long study into what New Philadelphia can offer its residents. 

Day says the study looked into everything from geographical advantages like the Tuscarawas River and strip mine revitalization, to things like the potential for upgrading crosswalks and infrastructure to make the city pedestrian-friendly. He says improving those areas will allow for an economic boost. 

"The whole purpose of this is to give New Philadelphia a roadmap to follow into the future. There are so many exciting things on the horizon with the development east of us and the Utica and Marcellus Shale plays, the petrochemicals,” he says. 

Representatives from Kent State Tuscarawas, the Tuscarawas County Chamber of Commerce and even Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital in Dover attended the meeting to be a part of the process. McInturf says they are the ones who understand the city’s needs that can attract new homeowners and businesses.

“I think those are the people that represent a large investment in this community, whether its a hospital, a university, the school systems, the government entities at the county level, at the city level,” he says. “These, I would say are big players. They have a big impact.”

The plan will provide a step-by-step outline on how to reach goals for the city through 2030.  

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