Business View Civil Municipal - July 2023

41 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 9, ISSUE 12 visitors to stay and experience its rich history. For the generations of families who call Aurora home, the unique charm and character of the community are complemented by the town’s commitment to continued progress and the addition of quality-of-life amenities to be enjoyed for years to come. Highlighting some of what makes Aurora special, Mayor Mark Drury says, “We’re a riverfront community, so water is a key element to the area that we live in. We have a very vibrant and cozy downtown. We currently host 13 restaurants, we have shops and boutiques, from ice cream shops, coffee shops, specialty stores, and even a microbrewery right here in the downtown. Being on the water, the downtown has parks and bicycle trails.” Revitalized Downtown: Preserving History and Enhancing Connectivity Drury shares that in recent years, Aurora has AURORA , INDIANA C OM I N G S O O N The Coachman Opal Haus Downtown Aurora and Lawrenceburg’s Newest Event Venues for Intimate Gatherings and Large-Scale Celebrations c o a c hm a n o p a l . c om check out our locations, services, and more! undergone a significant downtown revitalization effort including the reconstruction of old and deteriorated streets and sidewalks, introducing attractive brick crosswalks. Efforts have also been made to enhance connectivity by repurposing underutilized alleyways into attractive pedestrian areas. Although this is an ongoing initiative, Mayor Drury notes that it has created a more walkable downtown, while protecting the distinctness of the oldest part of the community. “We have a historic preservation commission that has existed here in town since the 1990s. They saw the value of preserving the beautiful architecture that we had. As you look at our Main Street, you’ll see a walk through history, if you will, with the different styles and the activity that goes on there,” he portrays. One historic gem, which acts as an anchor to the district, is Hillforest Mansion, an exquisitely restored Victorian house, which has been recognized as a National Historic landmark. Now a museum, the mansion is open to the public for tours and events.