How to develop Downtown Frankfort, especially in light of the coming Ivy Tech campus, was the focal point Thursday during the first of four economic development workshops.
About 50 people attended the workshop.
Michael Shaver, of Wabash Scientific led the meetings, and conversation revolved around the area of Downtown which stretches from Walnut to Morrison and Clay to Columbia.
“We are going to talk about previous Downtown plans and projects,” he said. “We are going to talk about Downtown development, and Stellar Communities and we are going to talk about this in relationships to the arrival of Ivy Tech.”
The Stellar Communities program funds comprehensive community development projects in smaller Indiana neighborhoods.
The opening of the Ivy Tech campus in August and its impact on Downtown was a major point of discussion. Participants discussed the appeal Downtown would have to college students coming to the new campus.
“We have an opportunity to introduce ourselves and our community too, by providing services and places (students) want to go to,” Frankfort Councilman Rick Gunyon said during the meeting.
Some people questioned the changes each business would have to undergo to accommodate the influx of students.
“There is going to have to be an adjustment,” Shaver said.
Kim Stevens of Frankfort Main Street said her group has already begun researching and conversing with local business about possible changes once classes begin.
“We want to be proactive with our Downtown merchants, and prepare them with as much information as we can give to them on what we find out in our research,” Stevens said. “So they can be prepared as a small business owner.”
Though there were some concerns — including lack of available parking — most participants agreed that the city needs to do something to attract a younger demographic.
“Historical town squares like you have there have a different bone structure,” Shaver said. “And whether that bone structure has been updated makes a big difference to whether the downtown is occupied or empty.”
Representatives from HWC Engineering also presented a basic outline for Stellar Communities. The city is putting together a grant proposal that would tie directly in with economic development.
“What we are trying to do is take the economic development plan and try to relate it to Stellar Communities,” Shaver said.
Though nothing was solidified, participants at the meeting said they appreciated the chance to have their voices hear. Several people praised the meeting and the information.
Mayor Chris McBarnes said he felt like the meeting was a great start for the community.
“I believe what we are seeing happening right now in Frankfort…is a culture change,” he said. “What I mean by that is that people are taking pride, and they are taking ownership in their community again. They are believing that they are a part of something that is bigger than just themselves as an individual.”
Shaver said that economic development is a continual process. However, he does hope to have strategies and a project plan completed within the next 30 days.