Area residents are beginning to see the tangible results of Richmond's Stellar Communities designation.
When the city won the honor in 2013, leaders in other previously chosen Stellar Communities and at the state level cautioned that progress would be slow at first, especially with lots of paperwork to complete, and their words have proven true.
Now, the time for action finally has arrived.
Ground was broken on Feb. 19 for Jack Elstro Plaza at the current city parking lot in the first block between North Sixth and Seventh streets. Soon, part of the parking lot will be transformed into a park with a playground, a spray pad, a performance area and a recessed lawn that can be converted for ice skating in the winter.
"We're super excited to see that coming out of the ground," said Beth Fields, director of the city's Department of Metropolitan Development. Fields has been involved in the city's efforts to secure the Stellar Communities designation and implement the projects since Richmond first entered the competition in 2012.
It won't be long before another project also sees progress. Renovations to the former YMCA building downtown soon will begin to transform it into Music City Place, a senior residence with 50 units.
"That's going to be a good project," Fields said. "It'll be great because it's there at the crossroads of U.S. 27 and U.S. 40."
The Stellar path
The Stellar Communities program began in 2011. A collaboration of the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA), and the Indiana Department of Transportation, the program provides funds and grant monies to help revitalize city centers and community improvement projects.
As soon as Richmond was chosen for the program, the city's mission was to focus on a few key projects, complete applications and studies, and commit matching funds for the grants that would be involved.
In spring 2013, the Richmond Common Council and Richmond Redevelopment Commission put their support behind the Stellar Communities projects as the Redevelopment Commission pledged up to $2.2 million in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and Certified Technology Park funds that could be used as matching funds.
The city's chosen Stellar projects include Elstro Plaza and Music City Place, along with street improvements along Seventh and 10th streets, facade work along East Main Street and construction of downtown living spaces owner-occupied rehabilitation in the Vaile neighborhood, and public WiFi downtown.
"I think it's really going to be transformational for the city center," Fields said.
Connecting to the world
The launch of Center City Public WiFi was the first Stellar project completed.