Carol Johnson, Southern Indiana Business Report
MONTGOMERY – A project that will transform an underused gravel parking lot into a public green space with seating, water feature and a colorful mural is beginning to take shape on Montgomery’s Main Street.
The town launched a crowdfunding campaign in July to raise $50,000. With the campaign ending Sept. 8, the town is close to reaching its goal. If it’s successful – currently the campaign stands at $49,400 – the $50,000 will be matched with a grant from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority’s CreatINg Places program.
The plan for the space came together after the town began working with Indiana University’s Sustaining Hoosier Communities, an initiative from the Center for Rural Engagement. SHC spent the past year working with communities in Daviess County on projects that addressed community concerns and priorities.
Mike Healy, Montgomery Town Council president, and Doug Meiring, member of the council, said working with the IU classes helped the council and community see potential in the bare wall and gravel lot.
“We don’t really have a focal point for downtown Montgomery,” Healy said. “We want groups to take advantage of it, school, church and civic groups.”
“We’re hoping this promotes growth,” added Meiring.
Healy said he had always hoped the town could one day afford to pave the lot, but after working with the IU design class, he realized the space could be so much more.
“They got us to see the potential,” Healy said.
“After working with the IU class, and seeing the design ideas the students came up with, this plan really intrigued us,” Meiring said.
Bloomington mural artist Adam Long started this week on the mural, which will cover the back of Helena Chemical. Long said the mural will incorporate several visual elements of Montgomery – two Barr-Reeve Viking mascots, an Amish buggy and St. Peter’s Catholic Church – as well as the town’s history.
Long, who recently completed a large mural of a Monon Railroad locomotive on grain silos in Orleans, said he loves creating murals in small towns, knowing they are a great source of community pride.
Healy anticipates excavation could begin by the end of September and substantial completion of the park by Thanksgiving.
Campaign details
The campaign is part of the CreatINg Livable Communities Partnership between AARP Indiana and IHCDA’s CreatINg Places. It is a partnership that assists Indiana communities in funding place-based projects for aging in place. In addition to matching funds from IHCDA, this project is eligible for up to $5,000 in matching funds from AARP Indiana.
Large contributions have been received from the Montgomery Ruritan Club, Indiana Arts Commission, Daviess County Arts and Culture Alliance, Daviess County Visitors Center, Daviess County Economic Development and AARP.
To learn more about the campaign, click here.