By: Aimee Robertson-Fant—
Muncie, IN—Muncie citizens seem to have more questions than answers during a time of tremendous change in our community.
Now is the time for all Muncie citizens to find their voice and put their ideas and concerns into action.
There is an opportunity for all Muncie citizens to participate in Muncie’s next plan, the third iteration of Muncie Action Plan (MAP3)- Muncie’s next community-chosen Strategic Plan, a plan chosen by Muncie for Muncie under the premise that a community plan should be done with the community, not to the community.
MAP is partnering with Ball State University’s College of Architecture and Planning- Urban Planning Professor Lisa Dunaway to conduct a series of 4 community input sessions, held in each of Muncie’s 4 corners, during the month of February.
2/1/18 – 6:30-8:30pm – in the Ross Community Center – 1110 W 10th St, Muncie, IN 47302
2/8/18 – 6:30-8:30pm – at the Unitarian Universalist Church – 4800 W Bradford Dr, Muncie, IN 47304
2/15/18 – 6:30-8:30pm – at the Buley Center – 1111 N Penn St, Muncie, IN 47303
2/22/18 – 6:30-8:30pm – at the Serenity Club – 1218 S Brotherton St, Muncie, IN 47302
Ball State’s “Better Together” Service to Muncie Neighborhoods
Ball State University has allocated material resources and devoted research, expertise and coursework through Urban Planning Professor, Lisa Dunaway’s graduate-level Immersive Learning program to directly impact Muncie’s neighborhoods. Dunaway’s program has conducted 10 Muncie neighborhood plans and she is now working with MAP to harvest and organize Muncie citizens’ real hopes for their community during these 4 sessions, which will materialize into a living plan to be realized and carried out by Muncie residents and organizations.
Ball State has also made possible the “Building Better Neighborhoods” program since 2014, which is led by Heather Williams, Program Manager, MAP Task Force 2 Chair, MAP Board of Directors. Williams works directly with MAP, Muncie’s neighborhoods and community stakeholders to funnel resources and expertise of the university to address the changing needs of the community. Ball State has also supported and hosted Muncie Neighborhoods’ IDEA Conference, as well as made trainings, workshops and the development of multiple, successful and quickly-growing neighborhood projects possible through former Director of Immersive Learning, Kelli Huth. Huth, who recently accepted the position of Director of Civic Engagement at New York’s Binghamton University and laid groundwork for past, present and future of locally-focused Immersive Learning partnerships which benefit the community in invaluably and immeasurably.
Huth reflects: “It has been wonderful to see interest in the local community from faculty and the students increase of the past few years. More and more people what unique learning opportunities are available for students and what potential there is for young people to shape the future of our community. There are fantastic educators and mentors living right here in Muncie’s neighborhoods.”
Delaware County Nonprofit Executive Directors Quarterly Meeting Kickstarter Input Session for MAP3
Implementing programs that serve the community of Muncie, Delaware County Non-profit representatives were asked at the Delaware County Non-profit Executive Directors quarterly meeting (on Jan. 26th) to share some initial ideas for to implement MAP’s 5 task forces.
Here are some of opportunities non-profit representatives identified for MAP3:
Task Force 1- (Linking Learning, Health and Prosperity)
-A housing and re-entry program collaboration with Eastern Indiana Works
-Community-wide data collaboration effort exploring structural and root causes of poverty
Task Force 2- (Fostering Collaboration)
-Community education effort to inform on local civics, community challenges and assets
-Build and publish a new “Code of Ethics”
-Define and build “Better Together” structure
Task Force 3 (Pride and Image)
-Promote accomplishments of Muncie’s education systems’ success (primary, secondary and higher learning institutions)
-Promote Outdoor Activities and improve park space
-Promote Engagement and Cultural projects
Task Force 4- (Creating Attractive and Desirable Places)
-Support the Muncie Landbank and combined efforts
-Focus Riverfront Redevelopment plan efforts
-Creation of a “Downtown Design Manual”
-Continue Downtown Plan (finish out the Gateway project)
-Strengthen Code Enforcement
-Develop upper floor spaces downtown for mixed-use
Task Force 5- Managing Community Resources
-Develop a comprehensive plan to overhaul sidewalks and streets
– Develop a sewer and water line improvement plan
-Develop opportunities for neighborhood storm water management; rain barrels and rain gardens
-Develop environmental awareness and opportunities to learn about and tap into recycling, solar energy and water conservation
“As is the case with voting in elections, when answering the call to participate in their own community plan, citizens look out for own interests, their families and their neighborhoods. It’s a shame when citizens don’t show up because they don’t feel they have a voice.” –Frank Scott, President, Whitely Community Council
Every Muncie citizen has a voice and we want to hear it.
Can’t attend one of these four input sessions? Please email Lisa Dunaway lmdunaway@bsu.edu to share your ideas for MAP3 during the month of February.
Muncie Action Plan (MAP) is a grassroots community-driven strategic plan for the citizens of Muncie by the citizens of Muncie. It houses 5 distinct task forces and 47 action steps with components of health, education, civic engagement/civil discourse, city planning/infrastructure, land, neighborhood and property development/redevelopment.
To learn more, follow www.muncieactionplan.net
