BEDFORD — Citizens attending Monday’s planning session at the Bedford Area Chamber of Commerce continued to hone an evolving blueprint for revitalizing the city’s hub.
Calls for constructing walking trails and enhancing the downtown by incorporating local art dominated the second of two workshops. The planning process, to be completed by May, focuses on five designated areas: Downtown Core, Depot District, I and J Street Corridor, East Downtown and West Downtown.
The session was facilitated by David Goffinet of Bernardin, Lochmueller & Associates. During the first brainstorming session two weeks ago, Goffinet encouraged input on how to generate a better business climate in the area surrounding the Lawrence County Courthouse.
“Your downtown used to be the heartbeat of your community,” explained Goffinet, who led the city’s effort to rewrite its new comprehensive plan in 2010. “We want to bring people back downtown through a planned, integrated approach.”
Goffinet garnered input from a crowd of about 50 people. The four key focus topics were aesthetics, mobility, public spaces and private spaces. Each person was urged to prioritize proposed action items generated during the initial session.
Trails, parking and sidewalk improvement emerged as the major mobility concerns. Suggestions regarding private spaces centered on adding new businesses, especially restaurants, and offering incentives to those willing to do business on the square.
The discussion of public space opportunities touched on the old Milwaukee Depot, increasing the number of activities on the square, and renovation of the courthouse. Incorporating public art into the downtown plan was easily the most popular topic in the category of aesthetics.
The city recently submitted a letter of intent to apply for a Stellar Communities Grant. The project was developed as a multi-agency partnership designed to fund comprehensive community development projects in the state’s smaller communities. The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs and the Indiana Department of Transportation, along with the State Revolving Fund, are the participating partners.
Bedford was a finalist last year when North Vernon and Greencastle reaped an estimated $31 million in state funding.
Goffinet noted revitalization plans are not contingent upon receiving the Stellar Grant. He encouraged those unable to attend the workshops to log on to Facebook under Bedford Downtown Revitalization Plan.