Funding has been approved for a phase one placemaking project on Elkhart’s Civic Plaza and Central Park.
The vote by the Redevelopment Commission will provde the necessary funding to enhance the public green space, including construction of a permanent stage, a restroom facility, shaded seating and more.
The project began in August and is designed to also help with traffic flow, including the elimination of any need to close Main Street during most events.
The City of Elkhart has also released the following information about how traffic is impacted by the Elkhart River District project:
The revitalization of the Elkhart River District will continue in 2019 with additional streetscape work along Jackson Boulevard.
The extension of the Jackson Boulevard streetscape will mirror the work already completed to the west, including a new divided boulevard, on-street parallel parking, ADA compliant sidewalks, landscaping, street lights, as well as new and buried utilities.
To accommodate these improvements, Jackson Boulevard, from Elkhart Avenue to Johnson Street is scheduled to be closed beginning Monday, March 18. This section is anticipated to reopen July 1. Motorists will be detoured around the closure via Johnson Street, Elkhart Avenue, and Junior Achievement Drive. Businesses in the area will remain open, and additional detour signs will be posted to help patrons access these establishments.
Mayor Tim Neese’s intent of the River District Revitalization Project is to develop a vibrant urban space that complements existing Main Street assets and creates a destination where people want to live. The plan calls for the development of 1000+ housing units in the River District and surrounding area to meet current market demand. These additional units are supported by a housing market study completed by the renowned Zimmerman Volk and Associates.
The streetscape project will enhance new, exciting investments and private development taking place in the area, including the Elkhart Health and Aquatics Center, Stonewater at the Riverwalk, and the mixed-use neighborhood center being developed by Great Lakes Capital, including a new Martin’s Supermarket as their primary retail tenant.
The transformation of the Elkhart River District will continue later this year with streetscape projects along Junior Achievement Drive and Lexington Avenue.
For more information, visit www.elkhartriverdistrict.com.
