Public gets update on Lilly Endowment College and Community Collaboration Initiative

Members of Putnam County turned out to Tzouanakis Intermediate School Thursday night from officials pertaining to the City of Greencastle and DePauw University's use of a $250,000 planning grant to develop a plan to address the future with a focus on housing, recreation and aesthetics. 

The grant was awarded as part of the Lilly Endowment College and Community Collaboration Initiative and has allowed city and college officials to create a plan to revitalize a corridor between DePauw and Greencastle's downtown, as well as around the courthouse square. 

Matt Reuff, of Anderson Partners LLC, said the master plan planning has gone well and the grant leadership group has heard from the public that Greencastle feels like a small town, feels safe, has great community events, but needs more housing. 

"Greencastle is easy to get around, is walkable and close to nature. Our goal is to exemplify the small town feel that is safe and welcoming. We learned that Greencastle needs more housing and our goal is to provide housing for all," Reuff said. 

Reuff and the planning leadership team presented a variety of potential concepts to the community, centered around properties owned by DePauw University in the following areas: Seminary Square, the Anderson Street and Bloomington Street area, 16 W Washington St. and the Courthouse Square, as well as what potential changes could come to some of the city's streets. 

Reuff said the meeting went well and he and the grant leadership group were pleased with the feedback they received. 

When it comes to Seminary Square, Reuff presented two options for the two block area. 

One option consisted of housing, movies and more and called for a four story apartment complex of 120-150 residential units, a 10,000 square foot commerce area, 60-70 on street parking spaces, as well as an underground garage that would feature another 200-225 spaces, the retention of Marvin's in its current building and a new movie screening, multi-use hall adjacent to a public plaza. 

The second option dealt with housing primarily and featured 120-150 houses, 20 townhouses and 36 apartments. 

When it comes to the Anderson St. and Bloomington St. area, a three story apartment complex and surface parking is being considered, as well as framing the street and gateway to downtown Greencastle and DePauw's campus. 

When it comes to events, the grant leadership group proposed a long-term concept around the Courthouse Square area. 

The idea features 76 parking spots, which will be all parallel parking on both sides, the addition of a sidewalk and street trees, wider sidewalks along storefronts, raised intersections and crosswalks and phased construction with Washington and Jackson streets with a longer timeframe. 

In addition, there is are plans for Seminary Square for entertainment. 

The first plan features a public plaza concept with wide sidewalks on Indiana and Seminary streets, a courtyard above the garage and a public gathering space. 

The other calls for residential open space. 

Furthermore, there are plans for 16 West Washington Street, which feature a pocket park concept, where there would be a 6,300 square foot park, an open structure with cool lights and a plaza or green space area. 

The second plan calls for a 40-seat movie room and multi-use hall. 

When it comes to streets, there are plans to turn several into gateway streets, which feature more people and property fronts and service streets, which provide access to parking lots. 

In addition, there are plans to put new signals up at the following intersections: Anderson and Bloomington, Jackson and the Courthouse Square and Jackson and Hanna. 

Reuff said he and the group have always heard about the Courthouse Square area when they have held meetings. 

One person who was in attendance was Dionne Jackson, who is the DePauw University vice president for institutional equity. 

Jackson said the project is one that is close to her, as the opportunity for affordable housing excites her. 

Jackson said making sure the housing is "affordable," is something that concerns her.