Greencastle awaiting word on Seminary Street Project

Could the area around DePauw University and Seminary Street look different in the near future? It is highly likely, according to Greencastle officials.

Greencastle Mayor Lynda Dunbar told city council this week, the town's Seminary Square Project is currently in the top ten out of over 100 projects up for consideration by the Central Indiana Regional Development Authority. 

"We hope to hear this next week. I'm anxious to see growth in that area," Dunbar said. 

Last year, members of city government, as well as residents heard about potential changes to the Seminary Square area, as well as the Courthouse Square during a presentation pertaining to the City of Greencastle and DePauw University's use of a $250 thousand planning grant to develop a plan to address the future with a focus on housing, recreation and aesthetics. The grant was awarded as part of the Lilly Endowment College and Community Collaboration Initiative. 

The Seminary Square Project featured two options. The first option consisted of housing, movies and more. It featured a four story apartment complex of 120-150 residential units, a 10,000 square foot commerce area, 60-70 on street parking spaces, as well as an underground garage that would feature another 200-225 spaces, the retention of Marvin's in its current building and a new movie screening, multi-use hall adjacent to a public plaza. 

The second option dealt with housing primarily and featured 120-150 houses, 20 townhouses and 36 apartments. 

Matt Reuff, of Anderson Partners LLC, said at the time the grant leadership team heard many positives from the public about Greencastle, including how it felt like a small town, was safe, has great community events, but needed more housing. 

"Greencastle is easy to get around, is walkable and close to nature. Our goal is to exemplify the small town feel that is safe and welcoming. We learned that Greencastle needs more housing and our goal is to provide housing for all," Reuff said. 

Greencastle City Councilman Vincent Aguirre hopes there is good news for the city when it comes to the project.

"Injecting 300 residents into the heart of our most productive district -- downtown -- would be an incredible asset to our businesses, schools and local income tax revenue. As soon as the apartments are occupied, there will be a visible difference to foot traffic downtown. I am really pleased with how the university and city government are working together to get this across the finish line, and it appears likely we will know if we have received the funds in time to celebrate at the July or August First Friday," Aguirre told The Putnam County Post.