Greentown is in Howard County, Indiana, with a population of just under 2500. It’s about 9 miles east of Kokomo, and is home to the Howard County Fair Grounds.
Known for its collectible glassware made for only a few years by a local factory destroyed in 1903, it is home to the Greentown Glass Museum. The town was incorporated in 1873, so it has a historic downtown. But, as with most American rural towns, big box stores and unplanned residential sprawl have devitalized the town center.
But now, Greentown has purchased a revitalization plan. Among other aspects, the plan includes a conceptual design (pictured above) for renovating Fountain Plaza. This could function as a hub for farmers markets and other activities, with the entire block closed to car traffic and dedicated to pedestrian and vendor use.
To further enhance downtown, the plan also calls for various work to enhance the walkability of the area. This involves the planting of trees and improvement of sidewalks. Bump outs were discussed heavily during the planning process, with the proposed implementation of the sidewalk features drawing much debate while the plan was drafted. However, due to the debate, the plan includes proposals both including and excluding the feature. Either possibility could be utilized whenever action may be taken by the town leadership.
The final portion of the plan identifies key structures in the downtown area either for revitalization, adaptive reuse, or as infill properties. All are located either along Main or Meridian streets.
Council member Mark Lantz, in voting in favor of the plan, said it was a step in the right direction and that if action wasn’t taken, then the town’s downward slide would continue. “We’ll continue to deteriorate. This is just a plan,” said Lantz. “It’s the first step to move forward and advance. Because if we don’t do something, Greentown just keeps going backwards and backwards and backwards. Things fall apart. They deteriorate. This is a way to keep that stable and move forward in a way the town can agree to where we move to.”
Of course, the town’s formal approval of the plan doesn’t indicate a specific timeline for any of the proposed work or projects. Rather, as projects and funding become available, work will be tackled in the future.
Having the plan in place does, however, make grant opportunities possible through organizations such as the Office of Community and Rural Affairs.
Mr. Lantz is smart to recognize that this is “just a plan“. Revitalizing a place is best done with a comprehensive renewal process, of which a plan is just one element.
The entire process is vision, strategy, policies, partners, plan, projects and program.
Without a complete process, the vast majority (estimated to be in excess of 90%) of comprehensive plans and revitalization plans are never implemented, or fail if they are.
More about the comprehensive renewal process can be learned here.
Rendering of Fountain Plaza redesign courtesy of SDG.