As our city is almost fully built-out, we need to be thoughtful about how — and where — Plymouth grows next.
A Thoughtful Approach to a Changing Plymouth
Growth always involves tradeoffs — and Clark believes those tradeoffs deserve honest discussion, not easy answers. As Plymouth's remaining open areas face the prospect of future development, decisions must weigh the character of each neighborhood alongside the needs of the broader community: traffic impacts, green space, infrastructure, transit access, housing options, and quality of life for everyone in Plymouth.
Clark's perspective on these tradeoffs comes from direct experience. During his time on the Planning Commission, and through his work on the council since, he's seen how the city balances these concerns alongside property owners' rights, zoning, and comprehensive planning.
One example of this balance in action: The Boulevard, a new mixed-use redevelopment of the former 75-acre Prudential campus off Highway 494 and Chankahda Trail. With significant council input, the project preserves roughly 17 acres of mature trees, a water feature, and other green space, centered around nature trails. It's also bringing things Plymouth residents have asked for — a long-needed grocery store (Coborn's) and a medical clinic — along with new housing: four apartment buildings, more than 20% of which will be affordable units.
Another example: in 2025, the city began reimagining the southeast quadrant of the I-494 and Highway 55 interchange — a key gateway into Plymouth — through a small area planning study. Clark participated in the council's visioning session that helped shape early concepts for the site, which could bring new transit-connected housing, walkable design, and reinvestment to an area that's been largely unchanged since the 1970s and 80s.
What's Next
Over the next two years, Plymouth will undertake its 2050 Comprehensive Plan update — the once-a-decade process that will guide land use, housing, transportation, and community character for the next ten years. Sites like the 494/55 interchange are just the beginning of decisions Plymouth will need to make about how the city grows.
As mayor, Clark will push for a Comprehensive Plan process that's genuinely inclusive — one that reflects input from residents in every neighborhood, not just those most engaged in city processes. He'll continue to ensure that growth decisions weigh traffic, green space, infrastructure, and housing needs together, so that Plymouth remains a place that's accessible to residents at every stage of life.