SHIPSHEWANA — “This has been the most challenging project that I have worked on in Indiana in a long time... but fun,” senior planner Stephen Metzer said at the close of one of two open houses held Wednesday at the Town Hall to discuss a planning study for a proposed revitalization effort in downtown Shipshewana.

The purpose of the meeting was to gather public input on some general ideas proposed by DLZ Indiana.  Once the Feb. 1 deadline for public input has passed, the Fort Wayne engineering firm will devise a proposed revitalization plan, based on specific input, for the tourist town of some 500 people that draws in one to 1 1/2 million visitors per year, according to Town Manager Sheryl Kelly.   

Metzer, manager of DLZ’s Department of Planning and Ecological Services, said the council will soon receive a planning study report and, following a public hearing, vote on the plan at the Feb. 23 council meeting.

Input requested

Kelly said that any Shipshewana residents or business owners interested in giving specific input are encouraged to complete comment sheets at the Town Hall on North Morton Street or e-mail Metzer at smetzer@dlz.com by Feb. 1.

Metzer’s comment about challenges and the information he presented Wednesday to some 40 to 50 audience members at the first session, revealed that there is a lot more to work on in the popular tourist spot than meets the eye.

The revitalization plan will focus on the area bounded by LaGrange County Road W. 200 North, Ind. 5, and Summey, North and Talmadge streets.

Metzer proposed building another restroom in the South Harrison Street area and tying it with a visitor’s center there, which was another identified issue in the survey.

Sidewalks are too narrow, often have parked cars overhanging them, and are cluttered with such items as light poles, flowers, and benches. Thus, the sidewalks violate provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, he said.

Parking needs

Although it would cost some parking spaces, he recommended converting Harrison and Morton streets to one-way traffic, with several parking options, to make room for wider walks.

At the same time, more street crossings need to be installed on Ind. 5, while some places where pedestrians currently cross need to be discouraged, Metzer said.

He also said the town needs more gateway and tourist-oriented destination signs, as well as informational kiosks.

Surprisingly, Metzer said that he does not think Shipshewana, which balloons to as much as 30,000 people on flea market days, needs more than its current roughly 1,000 parking spaces. The problem is where those parking spaces are located and a lack of signs to direct visitors to them. Some parking slots can be gained by re-striping parking lots. There also is a large, unused lot in the vicinity of Harrison and North streets, he said.

Traffic light

To relieve the main source of traffic congestion in Shipshewana, a traffic light needs to be installed at the intersection of Ind. 5 and Middlebury Street, including a crosswalk signal.

DLZ’s staff brainstormed several more intriguing ideas as a result of the 2011 survey.  One was to extend the popular Pumpkinvine Nature Trail to a point in or closer to town to promote shopping and dining and provide a place for trail enthusiasts to park while using the trail.

Metzer also proposed developing Morton Street as an alternate route for connecting the Shipshewana Flea Market to the downtown area. Other proposals were to extend C.R. 200 North westward to 850 North to relieve traffic congestion on Ind. 5; to construct a dog park; and for the town to approve its own zoning ordinance while continuing to use LaGrange County for zoning enforcement.

After the open house, Kelly said that she was very pleased with the turnout. She said, “Anytime you can keep attendance high and get input back from the public, it makes the (downtown revitalization) process more successful.”

The town has received a $49,500 grant for the revitalization. Kelly said that no target date has been determined for completing construction.

Survey says

Based on a public survey last August, the following were identified by residents and business owners as the biggest needs in Shipshewana:

• More public restrooms (currently there is one)
• Better sidewalks
• More and improved signage
• Better lighting
• Creation of public gathering spaces
• Sprucing up the town with more trees and flowers
• Extension of existing sidewalks along parts of Ind. 5 to encompass the entire length of the highway within the revitalization zone
• More parking
• Better traffic control, especially on flea market days and in the vicinity of the flea market
• Repaving of streets where it is needed