Writer / Stephanie Singh
Photos Provided by Town of Plainfield
The next phase of the Town of Plainfield’s Downtown Redevelopment Plan is starting to take shape. The Town of Plainfield is now considering the recommendation to construct a new government center in conjunction with adding a new performing and fine arts center to downtown. The plan is to construct the new facilities on the corner of Center Street and Main Street replacing the current Plainfield Municipal Building and directly across from the new parking structure that is currently under construction.
In December of 2017, the Plainfield Town Council adopted a Conceptual Downtown Redevelopment Plan with specific recommendations including the need for additional parking and establishing a potential entertainment attraction. The plan was developed after hosting several public input sessions and hiring Context Design to draft a guideline for redevelopment. Most recently, RATIO Architects was hired to study and provide design concepts for a new government center and proposed arts center.
“With the growth of Plainfield, town staff is busting at the seams in their current town hall facility, and some employees are working in hallways and in closets,” says Town Council President, Robin Brandgard. “A new Plainfield municipal building is actually the cost-savings solution (based on the age and condition of existing Town Hall) as we plan for the next 50 to 100 years.”
The government center will be an adjoining building to the larger complement of the performing and fine arts center, designed to be a 600-seat auditorium to fulfill the public’s request of more entertainment in the Downtown District. The Town is already working with the Hendricks County Arts Council as a partner for this new facility.
“This new performing arts center is going to change the entire entertainment profile for Hendricks County,” says Peg Glover, President of the Hendricks County Arts Council. “The Arts Council is proud to be working with the Town on the development of this exciting new performance venue. The vision of this top-quality facility promises to attract first-rate performances.”
The government center and performing and fine arts facility would become the centerpiece of downtown Plainfield. The design concepts are the first of many steps in the process for consideration of the Town Council. In the coming weeks Town Council will further review design elements and explore funding and fundraising options with the potential of a groundbreaking within the next year.
“Current leadership is really carrying the tradition of Plainfield’s history of being mindful in planning for future growth and creating a diverse economic base,” says Andrew Klinger, Town of Plainfield Town Manager. “We are excited to bring more attractions to the heart of the Town, while providing our citizens with a public facility that is user-friendly and versatile.”
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