Wabash College students presented their findings on two issues within Montgomery County. Improving childcare and recommendations for the street pocket park were topics of previous community input discussions with the aid from fellows of the Wabash Democracy and Public Discourse Initiative. Both topics were discovered during meetings with local residents.
The childcare issue was determined to be a concern with many within the county. Local residents and employers expressed the need for accessible childcare for both day and night shift workers during discussion centered around improving childcare in Montgomery County.
From the public meeting, five aspects of childcare were identified by residents as hindering a successful childcare climate. The five aspects were: lack of accessibility, shortage of qualify facilities and providers, lack of stakeholder engagement, high cost of childcare and the need for a different business model for a childcare facility.
The Wabash students used the information from the community discussion and concluded a childcare facility that could provide services for both day and night shifts could be profitable. In their recommendation they disclosed a business plan that would use the empty Caleb Mills Elementary School and convert it to a childcare facility. The plan, which was for a for-profit facility, projected fifty children the first year. The cost per child would be calculated an income based chart. The students believed they could make a profit the first year of operation followed by a five percent increase in clients per year.
The business model is available by contacting the Center for Innovation, Business & Entrepreneurship.
The pocket park, which will be located at the corner of Pike Street and Washington Street, was the focal point of a public discussion on Feb. 22. The discussion was coordinated by Crawfordsville Mayor Todd Barton since the pocket park is a Stellar Designation project. The mayor wanted public input.
Community members expressed their desire to see improvements in the downtown area and saw the pocket park as one tool to attract downtown visitors. The information gathering meeting was overseen by Wabash Democracy and Public Discourse students.
From the discussion, the Wabash Democracy and Public Discourse students, reported the dominant themes for a vision of the pocket park were expressed by residents. They community members wanted the pocket park to be a town centerpiece and a place for relaxation. The participants also want green space, entertainment space within safe boundaries.
The Wabash students also reported residents at the discussion prioritized amenities as greenery and shade, restroom and sanitation, seating and a stage for entertainment.
Barton will take the students’ report and consider its content with the designing engineers.