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MENTONE – The final draft of the downtown Mentone master plan was presented to a crowd of residents and the town council Wednesday.
Olivia Nix, community development planner with Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG), said they’ve worked with the town, a steering committee and consultant Taylor Siefker Williams Design Group (TSWDG) to conduct a COVID Economic Recovery Plan, or a downtown recovery plan.
“We received a grant award of $50,000 and the town provided a local match of $10,000, bringing that up to a total project cost of $60,000. And with that, the town, along with the steering committee and consultant, have taken a deep look at the downtown to conduct a kind of recovery plan, identify some projects, some strategies, goals and objects in order to revitalize the project area,” Nix said.
She said the final draft of the downtown master plan is available for residents to review at the clerk-treasurer’s office and the town’s website, but it has been vetted by a steering committee made of local individuals and stakeholders from the town, along with herself.
The project was in conjunction with the overall county being awarded as a Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program (HELP) recipient “and that came along with some funds and the town was able to capitalize on those,” she said.
Nix stated the master plan was more of a guide for the town headed in the right direction as far as next steps for the downtown area. It is focusing on “building the quality of place,” beautifying the downtown corridor and trying to attract people to the area.
Scott Siefker, with TSWDG, said the plan was drafted upon the Main Street America approach. Main Street America leads an inclusive, impact-driven movement dedicated to reenergizing and strengthening older and historic downtowns and neighborhood commercial districts nationwide, according to the Main Street America website.
The four key goals and strategies of the plan including cultivating a thriving business environment through smart investments and program, leveraging unique assets and providing resources and tools to support the local economy; elevate the visual character of the built environment through streetscape enhancements, redevelopment opportunities and pedestrian amenities; activating the downtown by promoting businesses, destinations and events through digital media, placemaking efforts and programming; and establishing and maintaining strong partnerships with the downtown to help spark reinvestment and promote long-term resiliency, according to provided information.
There are three major recommendations or catalyst projects that can be looked at, Siefker said.
The first was placemaking, which can include highlighting a redevelopment of a current vacant parcel and a “redo” of the southern end of Broadway Street into more of a pedestrian-flexible street to include festivals and public events.
The second was infill development, which focused on partnering with the private sector in regards to building a mixed-use building that could have some retail or office use, as well as residential use.
The third was connecting amenities. TSWDG recognized there were some other areas in town and community assets that would help strengthen the downtown if they were connected together in a more unified, safe area.
Some of the ideas in the master plan can be merged later on, he said.
The report summarizes action steps to move forward and ways to fund the projects that are available, he said, whether it’s grants or partnering with different organizations or agencies.
Siefker said there are general planning costs in the master plan for different possible projects, along with the return on the investment like how many jobs, which can possibly be private, the project can create. He said the master plan is planning ideas, so there’s no current concrete plans set down.
Nix said the master plan is providing a glimpse of what could be and it is up to the town to execute the necessary steps in order to do any projects. She also noted just because a project is in the plan doesn’t necessarily mean it will happen.
Clerk-Treasurer Amanda Yaprak said the master plan is a way for the town to move forward with downtown projects and hopefully the intent is to acquire extra funding. Nix said many funding agencies will require a planning document.
The council approved the master plan.
In other business, the council:
• Approved on second reading a golf cart ordinance.
The ordinance allows for people to drive golf carts within the town limits. They have to have a driver’s license or be at least 16-1/2 years old and have an ID from the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.
People will have to have insurance on the golf cart. The carts also have to have working headlamps and taillights and be equipped with rearview mirrors.
When operating a golf cart, drivers have to abide by all traffic laws and follow all the provisions of a slow-moving vehicle in the state. The golf cart may not have more people in it than it is equipped to carry. Golf carts will not be allowed in any recreational path or trail or any state highway.
In case a person cannot meet these criteria, they can ask for an exception from the town council.
There will be golf cart registration from 9 to 11 a.m. July 19 at the Maker’s Market & Antique Fair.
• Learned Mentzer Memorial Park is closed until further notice.
• Approved for Utilities Superintendent Josh Shepherd to spend up to $25,000 with Neco Water to help install new water meters in town. It was estimated it may take two or three months for installations to be complete.
• Learned the clerk’s office will be closed July 8, 10 and 21-25.
