To the delight of city officials, about 70 local residents showed up Tuesday evening to comment on city plans for McMinnville’s Northeast Gateway District and offer some of their own.

Although about a third of participants left after listening to a presentation delivered by consultants, the rest stayed to participate in small-group discussions — so enthusiastically, in fact, that organizers had a hard time prying them loose so they could report back to share their thoughts.

David Siegel, team leader for Otak, the engineering and architectural firm helping to draft plans for the area, said the turnout far exceeded his hopes. “I was hoping we’d get 25,” he said.

Seigel said he was also surprised, and very pleased, by the passion residents displayed in their small-group discussion...

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