‘Roadmap’ Details Muncie’s Preservation Situation

(Image courtesy of Downtown Muncie)

A comprehensive "roadmap" to guide historic preservation efforts in Muncie has been unveiled. The plan, developed through a partnership among the city, the Muncie Historic Preservation and Rehabilitation Commission and Ball State University graduate students, includes suggestions for 21 new National Register, Conservation and Local Historic districts. It focuses on planning and policy steps designed to boost the Delaware County city’s image, expand its slate of attractive and desirable places and foster more collaboration.

The Historic Preservation students’ results came from feedback from community meetings and public surveys, as well as reviewing best practices in other cities and studying an updated survey covering historical resources in the city. The 142-page report includes steps for implementation and potential financial resources. It is designed to help contribute to economic development, neighborhood stabilization and quality-of-life efforts citywide by highlighting existing and unrecognized historic and cultural assets.

It used data collected by ScoutMuncie, an all-volunteer effort led by the MHPRC, which has mapped some 40 percent of properties in the city. The new plan also builds on the 2011 Muncie Action Plan, which is designed to guide future city works.

The actions outlined include:

• Initiatives and Action Steps
• Strengthen Pride and Image
• Advance Historic Preservation Education
• Create Attractive and Desirable Places
• Foster Collaboration
• Develop the MHPRC
• Manage Community Resources

You can connect to the full plan by clicking here.