committed to preserving this legacy as it embraces growth. As Mayor Guy Titus describes,“We still have that hometown feel.You can live, work and play here and people like that.” A VIBRANT DOWNTOWN VISION With a new comprehensive 25-year plan in the works, Titus shares that his goal is to grow the downtown, taking advantage of the popular Pennsy Trail, a draw to the area. He outlines projects such as the transformation of an old grain elevator into a go-to restaurant, as well as a new Arts District and new Riley Arts Trail, a pathway proudly connecting the city’s history with its future. Named after the celebrated poet James Whitcomb Riley, the trail will feature murals, statues, and historical information about the community. “It’ll go right through the middle of town and circle back to the trail. We’re hoping that brings more people to visit our community,” the mayor adds. In addition, Greenfield is working to attract more restaurants to the downtown, from upscale eateries to coffee shops.The city is also exploring mixed-use developments that combine high-end apartments with retail spaces. Titus illustrates, “I want to get more people this way. I look at the north side of Greenfield, it’s our industrial side, it’s the interstate side. When they come downtown, I want it to have that warm, homey feeling.” CELEBRATING COMMUNITY Community festivals are at the heart of Greenfield’s identity, and the annual Riley Festival draws tens of thousands of visitors every October. “It’s 50 years running, and it is parallel with the Covered Bridge Festival as far as attendance goes.The vendors love coming here, they make a lot of money,” touts Titus. Along with this, the Hancock Flat 50 bike ride brings over 1200 cyclists from across the country through Greenfield every August, and the city hosts a myriad of seasonal festivals and events to support community engagement. One example is Boos & Brews, a successful Halloween event organized with Downtown Main Street’s Heather Condra. To complement the many festivities, Greenfield introduced an outdoor synthetic ice-skating rink in its downtown plaza, offering residents and visitors a fun way to enjoy the outdoors during the month of December. THRIVING INDUSTRY AND COMMERCIAL GROWTH Greenfield’s growing economy is a blend of industrial, commercial, and small business ventures, and its strategic location, within one day’s drive of 80% of the 41 CIVIL AND MUNICIPAL VOLUME 06, ISSUE 01 GREENFIELD, IN
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI5MjAx