Bringing new life to Downtown North Judson may involve capitalizing on nearby amenities but would also require some local leaders to step up. Graduate students from Ball State University held a virtual community engagement session with town officials and business owners Monday.
A large part of the discussion focused on how to draw visitors from Norwayne Field and the Erie Trail to the Lane Street business district. Clerk-Treasurer Andrew Rowe said plans are already in the works to upgrade crosswalks across Keller Avenue, to better connect the new splash pad with nearby parking areas. Discussions are also underway about having North Judson-San Pierre students paint the sidewalk on the south side of Norwayne Field, the concrete around the splash pad, and the crosswalks at Main and Lane streets in the coming years.
The Ball State students also looked at ways Downtown North Judson could be more inviting once visitors get there, such as reintroducing trees along Lane Street and looking at which specific buildings could use improvements. Assistant Professor of Historic Preservation J.P. Hall noted that there are ordinances towns could pass to help prevent “demolition by neglect.”
Additionally, the students explored ways that North Judson could acknowledge the racial and ethnic diversity of its history. Clerk-Treasurer Rowe said the mural “The Crane & The Otter” seeks to recognize the area’s Native American heritage. Hall also mentioned North Judson’s Italian history, pointing out that the wave of Italian-Americans who moved to the area from Chicago mirrors migration patterns that continue today.
The Ball State study is a possible first step in an application for a Main Street designation. Rowe believes that a previous Main Street group for North Judson is still incorporated as a nonprofit organization, but it doesn’t appear to have an official designation.
Town officials said a big challenge will be recruiting individuals to lead the effort. They’d like to see business owners get involved, while the Starke County Creatives Network could help come up with ways to bring musicians and art installations to the area.
