Identifying the town

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MCCORDSVILLE — The town of McCordsville has a plan in the works to construct a downtown area that will both attract outside visitors and give the community a distinguished town center they can be proud of, officials said.

But before anything else, the town needs to determine their own sense of identity, they said.

For the past few months, a Town Center Advisory Group has been periodically meeting with Context Design — the landscape and architecture firm tasked with crafting the new town center plan — to perfect a downtown blueprint that will fit the style and the budget of McCordsville, said town manager Tonya Galbraith.

Context Design has been exploring various opportunities for commercial and residential development for a new downtown area, said primary design partner Fred Prazeau. They’ve been in discussions with the advisory group on what kinds of businesses, stores and civic space might be appropriate for the town space, as well as other elements such as water features, sidewalk areas and pedestrian pathways, he said.

While actual construction won’t likely begin to take shape for another two or three years, the town hopes to have a concrete plan set in place by the end of the year, Prazeau said.

After the plan is decided, the town will need to take time to submit for various proposals to cover the cost of the project, he added. It might take a year or more to see any progress on the town center development, he said.

Context Design was responsible for the renovation and development of the Nickel Plate District in Fishers, Prazeau said. The people of Fishers wanted the look of the district to send a message to visitors that the city possessed a vibrant, entrepreneurial spirit, he said. So they tried to make the artistic design of the architecture reflect those themes.

“That’s where we’re at in McCordsville’s process,” Prazeau said. “What does the town of McCordsville want to be? What are those identity markers that they want to latch onto, and how can we build a plan that reinforces those things?”

“It’s a big challenge, to cast a vision for what you want and need,” he added.

Context is still analyzing the town’s various connectivity options and what makes the most sense with what McCordsville’s citizens want, said partner Liz Mooney. They’re looking for input from both the advisory committee and the town’s citizens, and are open to all constructive suggestions offered up during the town’s public engagement sessions.

The firm is in the inventory and analysis phase now, Mooney said. Their current goal is focused on gathering data and drafting concepts for the overall project, Mooney said. Context is also studying the history of the town and considering the different types of shops and design features that locals have said they want to see in their hometown.

“We’re gathering information from people already, asking them what they want to see, what can make this a great place and what already makes McCordsville a great place,” Mooney said.

“We just need it to stand out and have its own identity,” Mooney said.