Officials Seek Input on White River Plan
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowOfficials from Indianapolis and Hamilton County will this evening host the first in a series of public meetings to discuss a long-term, strategic plan to enhance the White River for residents and visitors. Emily Mack, director of the Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development, says the White River Vision Plan is decades in the making. She contends the city has done a good job of turning its back on the river over the past century and now is the time to embrace it.
Hamilton County Tourism Inc. Chief Executive Officer Brenda Myers appeared alongside Mack on Inside INdiana Business with Gerry Dick. She says the project is a regional effort, encompassing nearly 60 miles of the White River.
"If you look at the assets and community parks that are along that river, there are opportunity nodes for economic development and tourism asset development," said Myers. "I think it’s really important that this first be a project that focuses on the residents of central Indiana, but if we can also make it an enticing place to visit, that’s just an extra."
Mack says the community partners and stakeholders from the project are in the midst of a year-long study to evaluate the hydrology, geology, and ecology of river and how the river works and functions. While the first three public meetings will take place this week, several more events will take place over the next 12 months to gather more public feedback on the project.
This week’s public meetings will take place:
- July 11: Noblesville City Hall from 6 – 8 p.m. 16 S. 10th St. Noblesville, 46060
- July 12: Marian University’s Paul J. Norman Center from 12 – 2 p.m. 3200 Cold Spring Rd, Indianapolis, 46222
- July 12: Riverside Park Family Center Auditorium from 6 – 8 p.m. 2420 East Riverside Drive Indianapolis, 46208
You can learn more about the White River Vision Plan by clicking here.