The Downtown revitalization Committee was scheduled to meet Wednesday evening at Wild Rose Moon in downtown Plymouth. Three of the 7 members were on hand, not enough for a quorum although those present did discuss several topics.
City Attorney Sean Surrisi brought a map of the near Westside neighborhood. This area is located between the Pennsylvania railroad on the south, Walnut Street on the east Jefferson Street on the north and 2nd Street on the west. He also had a parcel by parcel listing of 85 properties showing the type of property, the address, and the owner.
The Downtown Revitalization Committee has been discussing the possibility of working with Melissa Christiansen from the USDA concerning grants and program from the rural development office that could provide grants to low income, owner occupied homes in the neighborhood.
Committee member Mark Gidley representing PIDCO asked about other programs with money that could blend with the USDA and make the program more attractive to property owners.
Shop Local or Shop Small was also discussed. Committee member George Schricker representing PIDCO said Frank Filson had discussed the national movement and said Warsaw has it going. He felt it might be beneficial to the Plymouth Downtown.
Another program briefly discussed was Indiana Main Street. Plymouth has tried to start this program three times without much success. City Attorney Sea Surrisi said, “We have been in the program and they haven’t kicked us out yet.” It was suggested having the local Main Street representative come talk to the Downtown Revitalization Committee.
The final discussion was of the FEMA grants to purchase homes in the flood plain. There is a home on Cleveland Street that could be used for the second phase of the Greenway Trail. The property is currently listed for sale and the committee discussed the possibility of the city using the second FEMA grant to buy the property before someone else does.
The Downtown Revitalization Committee will meet at Wild Rose Moon on Wednesday, January 7 at 5:30. The public is welcome to attend especially downtown property owners.
