Tomorrow’s Elkhart. Starting Today.
Tomorrow’s Elkhart. Starting Today.
Aspire Elkhart
ASPIRE Elkhart is a transformational, once-in-a-lifetime series of investments building the Elkhart of tomorrow. Beginning in January of 2024, the Roberson administration took an approach to investing in our city that will make it a place future generations are proud to call home. This strategy focuses on investing resources into catalyst quality of place projects and neighborhoods, while upgrading the infrastructure and public safety capabilities needed to support a vibrant city.
Aspire Elkhart
ASPIRE Elkhart is a transformational, once-in-a-lifetime series of investments building the Elkhart of tomorrow. Beginning in January of 2024, the Roberson administration took an approach to investing in our city that will make it a place future generations are proud to call home. This strategy focuses on investing resources into catalyst quality of place projects and neighborhoods, while upgrading the infrastructure and public safety capabilities needed to support a vibrant city.
Four Pillars
Public Safety Projects
The Downtown Master Plan highlighted the importance of centralizing public safety in the hub of a city. Driven by the need of the police department to have expanded space as they have outgrown their building, a centralized Public Safety building will house Police, Fire Administration, and 911 operations.
The former Chase Bank building in downtown Elkhart has been selected as the future home for Elkhart’s public safety personnel.
Also under consideration if the relocation of fire stations 5 and 6. Changing of city boundaries necessitates a reevaluation of how firefighters and paramedics can maintain adequate and efficient response times.
Public Safety Building
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- Elkhart’s current Police Station was built in the 1970s for a staff half the size of today’s. The Elkhart police department needs the capacity to serve the Elkhart of today and this need is the impetus behind the new Public Safety Building. Identifying an opportunity at 121 W. Franklin St., the former Chase Bank, the city purchased that property in 2024. The bones of the building are strong and with a renovation, will become the home of the police, fire administration, and 911 communications.
- Not only does this project give our public safety departments the space they need for updated equipment and personnel, it also centralizes their services in the heart of our downtown. In line with the Downtown Master Plan, centrally location key city services is important to anchoring the heart of the downtown and allowing for additional private development to occur around its perimeter.
Fire Station 6
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- Located at the intersection of Bristol St. and Osolo Rd., Fire Station 6 has been serving the northeast section of Elkhart from the existing building since the 1960s. Modern fire apparatus are too large for the outdated garage doors and the single-bay construction only allows for one vehicle to be housed and when needed an ambulance is dispatched from another station.
- In addition to the needs of the infrastructure changing over the last 60 years, the ideal location for Fire Station 6 has also changed. The population of the City of Elkhart has expanded and has pushed further to the northeast. To continue to deliver on the high response -time standards of the Elkhart Fire Department, relocating Fire Station 6 will relocate to a site off of County Road 6 on Ada Drive.
Fire Station 5
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- Built around the same time as Fire Station 6 in the 1960s, Fire Station 5 is not able to house larger, more modern fire apparatus. Additionally, the living quarters for Fire Station 5 were built at a time when the makeup of fire personnel looked a lot different.
- To accommodate for the modern equipment and modern workforce, Fire Station 5 will be remodeled for approximately $650,000 and will include elevating the roof and garage heights and installing additional and more accommodating bathroom and living spaces.
Infrastructure Projects
Concentrated infrastructure investment over the next several years in infrastructure projects.
Due to federal mandates, sewer separation is required, and gives us an opportunity to cluster other projects in the same area.
This includes traffic pattern changes, expanded multi-use paths, and streetscape beautification.
Hively Overpass
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- Building an overpass at Hively Avenue and Main St. in Elkhart is part of a 30-year effort to eliminate the vast majority of railroad crossings over the Norfolk Southern Railroad in Elkhart. Why? “At-grade” railroad crossings, where drivers and pedestrians drive or walk directly over the railroad tracks are dangerous and create many traffic delays. For school buses, emergency vehicles, or just everyday commuters trying to get to work, a blocked railroad crossing can cause significant issues.
- To prepare for the construction of this overpass, land acquisition and demolition of some structures has begun in the summer of 2024.
- In 2019, the City of Elkhart received a Local Trax Grant from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) for the Hively Project. Unfortunately, due to delays associated with the COVID pandemic, the cost of the project has increased. In the fall of 2024, the City of Elkhart is pursuing additional federal grant money to make up for the funding gap.
RR Resurfacing
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- Drivers in Elkhart know all too well the aggravation of driving over rough railroad crossings. It creates a possibility for vehicles to be damaged and also creates safety issues for other vehicles and pedestrians as drivers swerve to avoid holes or bumps. Since the railroads are not owned by the city, the responsibility for maintenance and permission to carry out any maintenance efforts lie in the hands of the railroad owners. Through a relationship between Patriot Rail and the city of Elkhart, 7 railroad crossings were resurfaced in 2024.
- One troublesome crossing remails, at Blazer Blvd. near the Elkhart High School Freshman Division. Due to some federal funding Patriot is receiving to perform the work on that crossing, the project has been delayed. Conversations with Patriot are ongoing and all are still aiming for the project to begin in 2024.
Johnson St.
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- The need to resurface Johnson St. presented the City of Elkhart with a unique opportunity. The right conditions existed to all this project to be done entirely “in-house” in less than a week. Street crews and Engineering completed this project in 4 days for $350,000; a fraction of what an outside contract would have cost taxpayers.
Benham Ave.
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A key thoroughfare that brings people into downtown Elkhart and also to the Benham Neighborhood is getting an overhaul. Underground sewer and water line upgrades will be done on and off of Benham Avenue, north of Indiana. These upgrades will extend water and sewer service to properties and improved drainage will reduce problem flooding areas.
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The Benham Underpass, the “Y” will be redesigned to accommodate the return to 2-way traffic on 2nd and 3rd.
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Combined Sewer Reduction & Long-term Control Plan
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Under the Clean Water Act, more than 700 U.S. communities that own combined sewer systems are required to develop long-term plans to reduce sewage overflows and meet water quality standards. The City of Elkhart is one of those communities. Combined sewer systems carry both sanitary sewage and stormwater. When it rains, relief points in the sewer system allow overflows of untreated sewage and stormwater into local waterways. Without these relief points, sewage would back up into streets and basements. Combined sewers were standard practice for many U.S. communities in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
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Controlling combined sewer overflows is one of the biggest technical, financial and social challenges facing communities such as Elkhart. The City’s goals in developing its plan were to:
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Meet state and federal regulatory requirements in a cost-effective and affordable manner
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Protect and enhance our waterways by reducing the impacts of combined sewer overflows on affected waterways: Christiana Creek, the Elkhart River and St. Joseph River
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The City of Elkhart owns and operates a combined sewer system with 33 permitted combined sewer outfalls (CSOs). Historically, the City had 41 overflow locations, but eight have been eliminated since 1985 through sewer separation and sewer system improvements.
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Eliminating CSOs is an ongoing, years-long effort. Elkhart’s utilities and engineering departments will continue this effort to remain on schedule and in-compliance with EPA requirements.
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Quality of Place Projects
What makes a location stand out? What makes a community somewhere you want to visit again and again, or even live there?
Walkability, amenities, vibrancy, cost of living, are just a few factors that make up how people feel about a place.
Quality of Place is key driver of economic activity and the State of Indiana has focused funding for READI 2.0 on quality of place enhancement projects.
Open Air Music Venue
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- Elkhart’s investment in its downtown and stunning Lerner Theatre have made it an attractive space for an outdoor entertainment venue. Eyeing the potential that exists in the Central Green in the heart of downtown, developers see the potential for hosting thousands of attendees to enjoy music, theater, and comedy. The Lerner Theatre, with its capacity of 1,700 becomes the perfect partner with the outdoor space allowing a variety of entertainment options for different audience sizes.
- The economic impact opportunity presented with this project cannot be understated. Thousands of visitors coming to Elkhart multiple times per year will support additional lodging, restaurant, and retail activity that full-time residents will also enjoy.
- Identified by industry experts as a prime opportunity to expand Elkhart’s ability to offer entertainment as a quality of place amenity, developing the Central Green, just north of The Lerner Theatre, into an outdoor music venue is ongoing.
Cassopolis Streetscape
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- Thousands of people drive through Elkhart everyday on the Indiana Toll Road and some of them utilize Exit 92 to come into our city for work or play. Understanding that we only have a few moments to make a good first impression, the area surrounding Exit 92 was in need of an upgrade. With support from the Redevelopment Commission, construction and redesign of a small park, lighting, sidewalks, and signage for visitors to Elkhart began in spring 2024. The park and sidewalk investment will be a critical amenity for the many visitors who stay at the many hotels on the northside of Elkhart. They will be able to enjoy the outdoors and easily walk from their hotel to any number of restaurants.
- For those passing through Elkhart, new signage and lighting will greet both east and westbound travelers on the Indiana Toll Road. The project is expected to be complete in November 2024.
Riverwalk Expansion
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Accompanying the Outdoor Music Venue, the Riverwalk has the potential to be enhanced and expanded. Our rivers are some of our biggest assets in Elkhart. They provide beautiful views and recreational opportunities that provide an improved quality of life for residents and visitors to Elkhart.
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River District Zone 1
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The build-out of the River District continues with the Delta Neighborhood on East Jackson. Adding retail and badly-needed housing, the River District continues to be a center of economic development and urban innovation in Elkhart. Focusing on walkability, safety, and expanded amenities, those who live, work, or visit this part of Elkhart will find this revitalized area of the city welcoming and pedestrian-friendly, with something for everyone.
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River District Parking Garage
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As identified in both the Downtown Plan and the River District Implementation Plan, “Park Once” is the ideal parking strategy for Elkhart’s downtown. This requires moving away from multiple surface parking lots and consolidating parking into strategically located structures. The River District provides space for a parking structure, wrapped with commercial space.
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This will allow visitors to Elkhart an accessible parking option easily within walking distance to the downtown, River District, and Aquatic Center.
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Hug Street
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Elkhart is no different from many communities struggling with housing shortages. The Elkhart-Goshen metro area has been identified as an “emerging housing market” by the Wall Street Journal in three quarters of the past few years. One of the metrics used is how many housing searches for homes are conducted outside of the area. 60% of those searching for housing are located outside of our community.
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Recognizing that need, developer RealAmerica saw an opportunity add housing units to Elkhart at Hug Street. Multi-family housing will be added to our downtown, within walking distance of key amenities like the Lerner Theatre and the Riverwalk.
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Woodland Crossing
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The former Pierre Moran Mall site, now called Woodland Crossing, is being transformed into a “Neighborhood Opportunity Hub.”
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Woodland Crossing will offer groceries, pharmacies, urgent care, mental health and dental care, career training, expanded housing, walkability, and additional retailers, restaurants, and commercial spaces.
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With an anchor grocery in Kroger, and the upcoming anchors in healthcare and career training with Heart City Health and Goodwill, Woodland Crossing is poised to meet the needs of the Pierre Moran neighborhood for coming generations.
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Neighborhood Projects
In 2023, Elkhart launched its targeted Neighborhood Initiative. City departments like MyEklhart311, Code Enforcement, Buildings & Grounds, Parks, and more have a regular presence in our neighborhoods.
In partnership with Elkhart’s Neighborhood Associations, these departments are active in our neighborhoods and directly impact the lives of residents.
MyElkhart311 coordinates city services with neighborhood needs to give residents opportunities to make a meaningful impact closest to home.
Beautifying Neighborhoods
Beautifying neighborhoods, making it even easier for Elkhart residents to love where they live is key. In our neighborhoods is where you find the everyday services that touch lives. Paving, snow-plowing, neighborhood cleanups, sidewalk improvements, tree-trimming, are just a few of the services our staff provides to our neighborhoods on a daily basis that make our city more beautiful and vibrant.
CCMG Paving
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Community Crossings Matching Grants are provided to communities like Elkhart to assist with the maintenance of key infrastructure projects like paving. The City of Elkhart received 50% of a $3.3 million road resurfacing project from the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) and the city provided the other 50%.
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ADA Sidewalks
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Maintaining, upgrading, and adding sidewalks that are accessible, safe, and in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a key amenity in neighborhoods’ walkability.
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Pierre Moran Pool Upgrades
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The pool at Pierre Moran is a shining amenity utilized by hundreds of patrons each year. To better serve the patrons, upgrades are planned to install family-style locker rooms, a party room, expanded staff area and concessions, enhanced pool deck, and a more aesthetically pleasing facade.
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Walker Park
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Walker Park is one of seven playgrounds getting an upgrade in 2024.
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Lundquist Disc Golf
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In 2023, two community members approached our the City of Elkhart’s Parks & Recreation Department and suggested Lundquist Park as an ideal location for a disc golf course in Elkhart.
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Fast forward to summer 2024, and hundreds of disc golfers have played and enjoyed the Lundquist / Island course.
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A true public-private partnership, the installation of this course provides a fun recreational opportunity in the heart of the River District.
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Cassopolis Streetscape
In early 2024, the Exit 92 project on Cassopolis Street to make a great first impression on visitors of Elkhart got underway. An iconic gateway into Elkhart from the Indiana Toll Road that integrates City branding and themes is authentic to Elkhart’s past and present and is relatable and fun.
Elkhart Redevelopment Commission appropriated $8,140,000 from the Cassopolis TIF and the project is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.
