The last two public meetings featuring the city’s proposed downtown revitalization plan garnered fewer than half the number of people who attended the initial meeting in late February.
The April 13 meeting at Western Boone Jr.-Sr. High School totaled approximately 30 people. Tuesday night’s meeting at the Boone County 4-H Fairgrounds Farm Bureau Community Building gathered about 40. But at both of those meetings, county and Lebanon officials made up nearly a third of those in attendance. That means only about 45 residents came to the meetings to learn about the project.
The plan calls for the construction of a multi-level parking garage with nearly 200 spaces atop a lower level filled with retail stores behind the Key Bank building; a kidney-shaped downtown event space with a raised landing; an extension of the Big 4 trail; and other catalyst projects for buildings around the Square.
Mayor Matt Gentry and the Boone County Commissioners hoped many more people would weigh in on the plan that is in its late schematic stage. It’s a proposal that hasn’t been discussed in any commissioners meeting, let alone voted on for approval, as the commissioners try to gather the public’s opinions on a plan that would permanently alter the look of the 106-year-old courthouse.
To their collective dismay, rounding up opinion hasn’t exactly been easy.
“We’re finding it difficult to reach people,” said County Commissioner Jeff Wolfe. “Not all people read the public notices, and social media is a tool but not the answer. We’ve not yet found the right mix to get people to engage.”
Some at the meeting spoke in staunch disagreement to the plan, while others did the opposite.
“I’m totally opposed to putting the stage out there in front of the courthouse,” said Byron Loveless, former Boone County councilman and commissioner. “I’m opposed to anything that will tear up the lawn on that side of the courthouse. I know you think it will be a wonderful thing for people to go in there and talk to each other, and whatever else they’re going to do. But it won’t last a year.”
Loveless continued talking about the proposed trees drawing unwanted birds, and the possibility of trash, leaves and debris blowing into the area before saying to all in attendance, “I want you to know I’m 100 percent opposed to that.”
Moments after Loveless uttered those words, a man from the back of the seated attendees said, “I want you to know I’m 100 percent for this. (Loveless) is just one voice… this is just what Lebanon’s square needs.”
Gentry followed those statements, speaking about the uniqueness Lebanon found itself in with regards to being the county seat. Unlike Zionsville's or Whitestown's freedom to design a public downtown space, Lebanon has to work with the county.
“We have two governments working amicably most times,” Gentry said. “I agree we have one of the most beautiful courthouses in the state, and that’s why I think a plan like this will increase that and serve it better.”
Like the previous two meetings, some of the discussion focused on parking and the proposed parking garage, funding, handicap access, prisoner transfer protocol, property taxes and various other issues.
Wolfe said the goal of the last two meetings in the Western Boone and Lebanon areas was to get those rural residents involved before they became consumed with the day-to-day weather-related business of agriculture.
The commissioners and Gentry are in discussions to possibly have a meeting in Zionsville, but a date has yet to be set.
“When the meetings aren’t close to your hometown, it’s difficult to attend,” Wolfe said.
Boone County residents are stopping the commissioners when out in public, reaching out through phone calls and emails, along with social media, Wolfe said. But with such proposed major changes, Wolfe hoped the response would be much greater.