If you are a resident in and around Kendallville, you have been through the downtown area. You've likely visited stores along Main Street, you may even have fond memories of parades of years past or an event which made you proud to be a Kendallville citizen. What you may also notice is that the downtown of Kendallville isn't as busy as it used to be. There are several vacant stores and buildings. The number of shopping opportunities isn't what it used to be. The shift in habit for local residents to first consider downtown seems to have moved on like the black and white picture tube TV.In recent months, the City of Kendallville and various community leaders have decided to tackle the downtown area because it is important. It's important to ensure its future for the sake of a healthy Kendallville in years to come. There are proven and discouraging facts that when a community allows their downtown to dwindle away, it is an early sign of a downturn in the growth of that community as a whole. Growth in terms of economic and population.
In the next five years, there is a plan to revive the downtown area of Kendallville. Community leaders and citizens have pledged to be proactive in finding ways to stimulate the downtown area with renovations, activities, and overall business and residential health. The "HOW" is where a recent plan by Hyett-Palma which was adopted by City Council, comes into play.
As the EDAC of Kendallville, we intend on finding ways to ensure the downtown will thrive and grow, which is a challenge. However, the business owners and patrons of the downtown area are unified to see that it happens.
Be sure to check for updates in the newspaper, this website, from a City Official, and any other reference you can find. But the best way to see it happen is to visit the downtown regularly and tell a shop owner what you like and don't like about the downtown. It will surely help in the long run.
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Patrick Hess
