Final Open House Scheduled April 8 for Merrillville Momentum Comprehensive Plan
Town consultants, RDG Planning & Design, will unveil its recommendations during a final open house scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. April 8 at the Dean and Barbara White Community Center, 6600 Broadway. A presentation starts at 5:15 p.m.
The comprehensive plan covers future land use, development concepts, and other goals for the next 20
years in Merrillville. It’s essential for the community to attend this important event to provide feedback before the plan is finalized.
“I’m excited that our residents, business owners, and other stakeholders get to view the blueprint for Merrillville's future,” Town Council President Rick Bella said. “We want community members to share their thoughts and ideas to help us fine-tune this plan.”
A key aspect of the comprehensive plan is the “Momentum Six.”
“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.”
The Momentum Six includes the following areas:
• 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
• 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.
That project 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 much-needed walking connection from the High School to the Community Center.
“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.”