Photo by Deb Gau It’s an empty lot now, but the city of Marshall plans to add features like greenery and seating to the space between City Hall and Main Stay Cafe. From now until April 5, members of the public can send the city their ideas to name the space.

MARSHALL — The city of Marshall has a plan for the empty space between City Hall and Main Stay Cafe. The plan features greenery, and a place for people to gather.

But the city needs the public’s help to come up with a fitting name for the community space.

Name submissions for the pace will be accepted starting today, the city of Marshall said.

The open space next to City Hall was originally the site of the vacant former Marshall Hotel building. In the summer of 2020, the hotel was torn down after significant water damage was found in the building. Since then, the city has been working on ideas to develop the space the building left behind.

A conceptual design for a plaza was created based on input form a public open house the city held in June. Later in 2021, the city contracted with Confluence, an architectural firm that specializes in landscape design.

The final proposed concept was unveiled this week, and can be seen on the city website, https://ci.marshall.mn.us. The concept design includes plantings, seating and tables and a shade structure. An archway similar to the ones at Memorial Park and Liberty Park would stand at the entrance to the community space. There would also be space planned for a future sculpture in the area.

The city plans to have Parks Superintendent Preston Stensrud take the lead in helping to make the community space concept a reality. American Legion Post 113 of Marshall has also donated a flagpole for the new space.

Until now, city staff had been referring to the open space as “City Hall Plaza.” However, the city is now taking suggestions from the public for an official name to capture community interest.

Name submissions will be accepted from March 8 to April 5. Submissions can be made through an online form on the city website, or be mailed to City of Marshall, Attention: Marshall Community Services, 344 West Main Street, Marshall, MN 56258. Mailed submissions must be postmarked by April 5 for consideration.

City staff will review submitted names in April, and recommend up to three names for the City Council to consider for final approval.

People can contact Preston Stensrud at 507-537-6786 with questions.