CORNING, NY (WENY) -- It's been over 20 years since the City of Corning last adopted a comprehensive plan. But now, the city is working on a new one and wants the community's feedback on what they think is best for the city's goals, visions, and strategies.

"It’s important because it’s helping shape a vision of what we want for our community, what we want development to look like in the future, where to invest. It helps us go after funding sources [for] both the city, as well as other organizations within the community, to improve our community. We’re all here and we want to make this a thriving community," said the Planning and Economic Development Director for the City of Corning, Jennifer Miller.

Some of the funding is provided by the New York State Department of State Environmental Protection Fund through a Smart Growth Comprehensive Planning Grant. The other part will come from the city's budget. The money will be used for things called 'Smart Growth Principles'.

The following are Smart Growth Principles that will be incorporated into the City's updated Comprehensive Plan:

Complete Streets
Compact Development where Appropriate
Infill Development
Transit-Oriented Development
Downtown Revitalization
Historic Preservation and Adaptive Re-Use
Environmental Justice
Mix of Housing Options
Green Infrastructure and Stormwater Management
Public Art
Storm Resiliency
Safe, Accessible, and Well Planned Public Spaces
Green Buildings, Energy Efficiency, and Renewal Energy

"I think some of the main things we’ve heard through community engagement is a lot of folks want to ensure that the community is protected and preserved because it’s a great community to be in. They wanted to ensure that Market Street is an important anchor in the community and we want to make sure we protect that, grow it, and enhance it. [Also,] to make sure that we understand that Corning Inc. is a very important asset that we want to maintain in the community and grow as well," said the Director of Planning for LaBella Associates, Edward Flynn.

He also said that some of people's concerns included housing and neighborhoods.

"A lot of folks had concerns about neighborhoods. So, we looked at neighborhoods and how do we protect [them] and ensure that the residents living there have a good quality of life and they enjoy their neighborhoods," said Flynn.

During the Open House, people could give feedback anonymously through Post-It notes on what they liked, or thought needed improvement. One Corning resident who went to Tuesday afternoon's Open House felt it was like an in-person survey, and was very easy to respond. She reiterated how she wants the city to take the feedback and use it to best benefit the community.

"...Definitely the pools. They need a lot of work and they put a lot of thought into it. That should be one of the top priorities I believe for the city... I believe that they should take all of the city residents’ opinions and utilize those prior to perhaps investing with out-of-town people bringing in their real estate/a lot of luxury apartments that does not necessarily directly impact the people that actually need help or are giving their opinion today. We need to own our own real estate in our own city," said Morgan Kemp, a Corning resident.

After the Open Houses, LaBella Associates will take the info and choose some 'priority projects.' This could include a streetscape, or a rending to explain what the changes could be. There isn't an exact or clear timeline at the time of publication on when things could be sent to city council to adopt. There will be several recommendations that are short, middle, and long-term.

If you missed Tuesday afternoon's Open House, there are still two more opportunities happening this week.

On Tuesday, Feb. 25th, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., an Open House is happening at the William E. Severn Elementary School Cafeteria (36 McMahon Ave.) The other one is happening on Thursday, Feb. 27th at the First Congregational United Church of Christ (171 W. Pulteney St.) from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

To view documents related to the comprehensive plan, click here.