In Merrillville, a year after launching the Merrillville Momentum Comprehensive Plan initiative, the town says the project is entering its final stages. “I’m excited that our residents, business owners, and other stakeholders get to view the blueprint for Merrillville’s future,” said Town Council President Rick Bella. “We want community members to share their thoughts and ideas to help us fine-tune this plan.” The plan covers future land use, development concepts, and other goals for the next 20 years in Merrillville. Town consultants, RDG Planning & Design, will unveil its recommendations during a final open house scheduled for April 8, 2024, 5-7 pm at the Dean and Barbara White Community Center on Broadway. A presentation starts at 5:15 p.m.
“These are six specific focus areas, mostly along the Broadway corridor, that deserve special attention and can be really important transformational projects,” said Marty Shukert, the Principal Planner at RDG. “Some of them are big, some of them are small, some are connection projects.” A news release said they include the following areas referred to as the Momentum Six: Broadway Plaza, Crossroads Plaza, pedestrian amenities connecting key locations on Broadway, the Merrillville Municipal Complex and the 19 acres of land behind it, the former Star Plaza site, and Century Plaza.
Shukert said one of the Momentum Six projects calls for new pedestrian-friendly features to connect the Dean and Barbara White Community Center, Hidden Lake Park, and Merrillville High School, a project that could involve an underpass below the railroad tracks so people could walk from Merrillville High School to Hidden Lake Park. A pedestrian crossing over Broadway would also provide a walking connection from the high school to the Community Center, the town said. “Then that becomes an iconic feature on Broadway, but its main purpose is functional, and that is to get people across the street safely and pleasantly, and to link those locations together,” Shukert said.
The concept is one of many that will be on display during the April 8 open house. “Please come out and immerse yourself in the visionary world of Merrillville’s future,” Bella said. “Let’s work together to sculpt a brighter tomorrow for our great town.”
