Helena will hold its third and final public meeting about the update of the city’s comprehensive plan &045; a plan which was last updated in the 1970s.

The city, the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham and the Auburn University Center for Architecture and Urban Studies have been holding meetings since late winter.

The officials are gathering input from residents to see what changes they want to see in their city.

The topics under discussion include road improvements, a new post office, parks and walking trails and a city shopping district.

Cheryl Morgan of the Auburn Center said much has been accomplished from the previous gatherings.

&uot;We will hear the final proposals for the new master plan,&uot; Morgan said. &uot;At the last meeting (held a month ago), people gave us a lot to think about.&uot;

She said from a separate but public meeting recently held with city officials, the groundwork has been laid for a system of &uot;linkage&uot; throughout the city.

This linkage, she said, includes connecting neighborhoods and subdivisions throughout the city with a system of bike and pedestrian pathways.

&uot;What we heard at the last meeting is that people wanted to have a better sense of connection in their community,&uot; she said.

&uot;There is potential to link all the beautiful greenways in the city.&uot;

In addition, Morgan said, a proposal to turn the intersection of Shelby County highways 17 and 52 into a shopping district instead of a shopping strip will be under discussion