East Central Indiana READI Plan and Program Management R2.0

East Central Indiana READI Plan and Program Management R2.0

East Central Indiana 

East Central Indiana READI Plan and Program Management R2.0

HWC led East Central Indiana in an effort to update their regional development plan. The 2024 East Central Indiana Regional Development Plan was formed through robust stakeholder engagement from across the eight-county region, which includes Blackford, Delaware, Fayette, Grant, Henry, Jay, Randolph, and Wayne counties. The final plan establishes a shared vision for a welcoming, authentic region where existing and future residents thrive. The plan also outlines a four-part regional investment strategy focused on the following key elements:

  • Quality of Life
  • Housing & Infrastructure
  • Childcare & Support for Families
  • Education & Opportunity

This regional development plan serves as a guide for the region, but also represents a key component in East Central Indiana’s compelling and competitive application for Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) funding from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). In the first round of READI, East Central Indiana secured $15 million in state funding. In the second round with HWC support, the region received $35 million to fund transformative childcare, housing, quality of place, and economic development projects.

Steuben County Trails – Greenway Master Plan

Steuben County Trails – Greenway Master Plan

Steuben County, IN

Greenway Master Plan 

HWC is assisting an advisory group led by Steuben County Trails in the preparation of a Countywide greenway master plan for Steuben County, Indiana. The purpose of the plan is to establish a vision for primary greenway corridors within the County as well as an implementation strategy. The plan will be developed using AASHTO, NACTO, related guidelines, and local requirements. The final plan will include a vision statement with goals and objectives for the County, a greenway corridor routing map, trail development standards, a priority phasing plan, and implementation strategies.

The Steuben County Trails group has a vision to connect destinations, communities, and surrounding areas through a well-connected, multi-use trail network. The current trail network is comprised of one main trail, the Steuben County Multi-Purpose Trail. Nine additional trails were proposed with alternative routes and spur connections to connect nearby destinations. The community expressed interest in connections to the different cities and towns within Steuben County, neighboring counties, as well as two key destinations Pleasant Lake and 4 Corners. These trails were phased out in three stages based off priorities determined by the Steuben County Trails group.

Delphi Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Delphi Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan

Delphi, IN

Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan 

In 2022, the City of Delphi was awarded funds from the Indiana State Department of health to develop the City’s first-ever bicycle and pedestrian master plan.  With over 15 miles of historic trails, five public parks, and an array of recreational amenities throughout the community, the City of Delphi had already demonstrated a strong commitment to bicycle and pedestrian activity and hired HWC Engineering to build upon these assets to ensure the bicycle and pedestrian network met the needs of its residents, visitors, and workforce.

HWC led a 4-month planning process that identified not only needed infrastructure projects, but policy and programming projects to help complement, support, and grow the extensive bicycle and pedestrian network already existing in Delphi.  Public engagement was a key element in identifying gaps within the network, as well as desired destinations.  The result of the planning process was a proposed facilities map that identified infrastructure projects ranging from side-paths to bike lanes to sidewalks.    

Jennings County Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan

Jennings County Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan

Jennings County, IN

Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan

Jennings County has made significant investments into its bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure over the past decade, and future investments remain a local priority. To continue making progress, it was determined that a bicycle and pedestrian and master plan be developed and adopted by all three units of local government: Jennings County, the City of North Vernon, and the Town of Vernon. After acquiring funding through the Indiana Department of Health, HWC was hired to guide Jennings County and its partners through a bicycle and pedestrian planning process to develop cohesive bicycle and pedestrian network throughout the county and its local communities.

HWC worked with project partners to develop an understanding of the true prevalence of walking and bicycling in the County and, with public engagement and input from the plan’s advisory committee, developed countywide guidance for implementing programs, policies, and infrastructure to support walking and bicycling. These recommendations helped to connect areas of interest, including Jennings County communities and the numerous parks, preserves, and wildlife areas found within the County.   

Indianapolis Central Greens

Indianapolis Central Greens

Indianapolis, IN

Central Greens

HWC provided design for M/I Homes for a residential development in Indianapolis, Indiana. The new development included 36 single-family homes and 45 townhomes on nine acres. The improvements included new streets, storm sewers, utilities, and an infiltration basin for stormwater. The site is part of the overall development of Central State on West Washington Street. This urban site provides new homes to infill the existing developed areas that surround the improvements.