WARSAW — A plan to transform the 100 block of North Buffalo Street into a festival street is one of three projects that could soon be part of a large grant application being sought by city leaders.

An open house late Wednesday afternoon showcased three designs for the festival street, which would raise the street elevation and eliminate curbs on both sides of Buffalo Street across from the Kosciusko County Courthouse.

Such a design would create a large pedestrian-friendly area that would accommodate additional outdoor seating and a space for large festivals.

All three options would reduce the amount of parking by a handful of spaces, but that did not result in concern by affected businesses, in part, because of separate plans by the city and county to construct a nearby parking garage.

The designs presented by Anderson Bohlander were very similar but varied in the way on-street parking was included.

One design included a performance stage on the southeast corner of the courthouse square.

One idea would incorporate gates at the end of the block that can be lowered to close off the street for festivals.

The designs also included street lighting options, additional trees and banners.

Nate Callithen, who lives in downtown and is a member of Ride Walk Kosciusko County, was one of about 15 people to attend the 5 p.m. meeting after Main Street Warsaw hosted several sessions earlier in the day with stakeholders.

"I really like the idea of a festival street. Pedestrianizing downtown is really important to drive the growth of downtown, not just from a liveliness, cultural perspective, but economically," Callithen said.

He said he thinks it will spur more development and lead to more foot traffic.

"I think it's a good first step," he said.

The open house was the latest in a series of events used to gauge community input.

Proposals for the cultural arts district were unveiled last fall, and the festival street is viewed as the most popular, said Main Street Warsaw's Downtown Development Director Terry Sweeney.

Sweeney said they’re working to quickly submit a state grant request in hopes of tapping into some of the $65 million made available through the state's READI 2.0 program, which is supported with money from Lilly Endowment for arts and cultural development.

Plans for a park with interactive artwork were also unveiled Wednesday and would be near the east-west railroad tracks on South Buffalo Street, but some people at the open house questioned the location and the need.

The application could also include plans for a multi-use art space in the old First Christian Church across the street from the county Justice Building, which is owned by the county and is in need of significant repairs.

Sweeney said if they are awarded grant money for the festival street, it would be combined with money from the city, the private sector, and philanthropic sources.

The presentation did not include cost estimates.

The deadline for the grant application is April 15.

The money would not require a matching grant and is open to all communities across the state, Sweeney said.

Officials hope to find out this summer if they will receive funding.

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WARSAW — The city of Warsaw is moving quickly on one of the proposals pitched last month as officials work to establish a cultural arts district in the downtown.

On Monday — less than three weeks after the entire plan was unveiled — the city redevelopment commission approved plans to hire a firm to study the idea of establishing a festival street, which would transform part of a downtown road into a flat surface that can more easily accommodate festivals.

The redevelopment commission agreed to spend $30,000 for the study with Anderson Bohlander to look further at the concept.

The plan was pitched by Terry Sweeney, Main Street Warsaw's downtown development director, who also recapped four new programs that were launched in 2025.

Officials are currently eyeing part of North Buffalo Street as a potential location for the festival street, and the study will likely look at where it might be best to make the transformation.

Some officials have said North Detroit Street seems optimal for the project since it is near Center Lake and a proposed city-county parking garage.

The idea of a street festival is one of the biggest proposals that make up an expansive plan to add more artwork and amenities aimed at attracting more people to the downtown.

Main Street Warsaw has been studying the idea of a cultural arts district, which was fueled in part by a new Hyatt Palma Study, commissioned during former mayor Joe Thallemer's term in office.

No kind of cost estimate has been released because it's very preliminary, but officials admit it is an ambitious plan that would be costly.

Jeremy Skinner, the city's community and economic development director, talked about the vision Monday afternoon.

"Yes, there's a lot of money that would have to be found, but we can't find the money until we know what we're looking for. There's a lot of groundwork that needs to be done," Skinner said. "It's gonna take time, and it's not gonna happen overnight."

"We got a pretty good start here and a lot of good things that came out of the plan," Skinner added.

You can see the entire conversation from Monday's meeting with Sweeney's presentation at the 18:00 mark.

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WARSAW — Main Street Warsaw on Wednesday unveiled an extensive list of proposals that would be part of the Downtown Warsaw Cultural Arts District.

The plan is a result of research and input from the public and support via past proposals and was discussed in detail on Wednesday in front of a wide variety of community leaders.

Several entities have endorsed the idea of establishing a cultural district plan 

Suzie Light, a longtime supporter of pubic art, thanked former mayor Joe Thallemer for helping organize a group meeting with the Indiana Arts Commission to learn more bout the potential economic gain through what is called a "creative economy."

"The overall arching strategy in this plan is to invest in creative infrastructure ... to sustain long-term growth," Light said.

* * *

The entire proposal is 86 pages, and
Specific details are recapped in the second half.

* * *

All of the ideas are attempts to “activate, beautify, and connect,” said Josh Lapp, a co-founder of Designing Local, which assembled the plan.

The overall idea is to use more art and cultural activities to boost downtown traffic and growth.

Proposals include large and small projects, and Terry Sweeney, director of downtown development with Main Street Warsaw, said they’re relying on different groups to take the lead as well as a variety of funding sources. One of the bigger sources of money could be  the Northeast Indiana Regional Development Authority.

No timetable was set, and officials admit that not all the plans will come to fruition.

While some of the proposals would be expensive, Sweeney said some of the smaller, less expensive ideas could come together rather quickly.

“We’re gonna get right after it, trying to get things started to be implemented, trying to chase funding to get these things going, so it won’t be like the plan is going to sit there. You’re going to see it actively implemented,” Sweeney said.

One of the priority plans involves transforming part of North Buffalo Street into a festival street.

“What is a festival street? It’s really an infrastructure project that transforms a run-of-the-mill street that can be easily closed down for a festival,” Lapp said.

During the planning process, the community expressed a strong desire for more dynamic, programmable public spaces for events, the report said. This led to the initial development of three distinct performance venue concepts: the Jailyard Performance Space, City Square, and the Buffalo Festival Street. 

The Buffalo Festival Street concept emerged as one of the highest-rated and most enthusiastically supported projects, with respondents calling it “transformative for downtown,” the report said.

That input was seen as a mandate and led to the decision to concentrate resources and efforts on this single, signature project, which best fulfills the community’s desire for a central, flexible event hub that functions as a street when not programmed, the report said.

Another idea involves establishing an art studio in the former First Christian Church on the corner of Lake and Main Street.

The property is owned by Kociusko County, and Sweeney said they hope to work with  officials to determine if it would be available.

Smaller projects, such as putting artistic wraps on utility boxes and dressing up crosswalks wth artwork, were also mentioned.

Below is a sampling of other proposals.

A Gateway Sculpture Play Park – an interactive sculpture park on the

Buffalo Trot Art Trail — Envisioned on the downtown’s southern edge, it would feature artistic structures for children’s play and exploration, serving as a vibrant gateway to the city center.

Art Activations — Work with developers to incorporate visual art, sculptures, and other art activities into their projects.

Mural Program — Implement a semi-permanent/rotating mural program strategically placed along key downtown corridors such as Buffalo Street, Center Street, Winona Avenue, and Main Street. These murals would reflect local culture or history, visually enhance the urban landscape, create postcard photo opportunities and create a gateway.

[caption id="attachment_123183" align="aligncenter" width="666"] Many local leaders attended Wednesday's meeting. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

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WARSAW — Dave Gustafson has taken the city’s idea of sidewalk seating to a new level at the Anthology Whiskey Room in downtown Warsaw.

Anthology has evolved over several years in several locations on East Center Street, and the newest space, which encompasses more than one previous business, opened at 109 E. Center St., about a year ago.

During the past few months, Gustafson has focused on extensive renovations to the facade, in which a covered outdoor seating area was carved out of the front of the original interior floor plan. Completion of the indoor-outdoor seating area that he calls a veranda wrapped up a month or so ago.

[caption id="attachment_113406" align="alignright" width="440"] Celebrating the facade improvement at Anthology Whiskey Room on East Center Street, representatives of Main Street Warsaw and the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce. From left are Main Street Warsaw Board Member Cindy Dobbins, Main Street Warsaw Downtown Development Director Terry Sweeney, store owner Dave Gustafson, Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Rob Parker and Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce Events Coordinator Nora Christiansen. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

On Monday, the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Warsaw celebrated the facade renovations with a photo opportunity.

The sheltered seating area is just east of the business’s main entrance and has a very metropolitan feel that passersby have noticed.

“Their initial reaction is, ‘Oh, this reminds me of being in Milan or this reminds me of Miami’ or fill in the blank of what city or space this reminds them of, and it’s a compliment to us. It gives a positive reaction to people thinking this is a great place to sit and enjoy a drink with a friend,” Gustafson said.

The verdana provides an outdoor flavor even during imperfect weather.

“You get some protection from the sun, but also it gives you the full exposure to the fresh air and sunlight,” he said.

The interior has about 3,000 square feet of space, but relies on large, comfortable leather seating that adds to the ambiance of comfort and relaxation.

Dark woodwork and light jazz music mix well with the mature whiskey atmosphere. 

The bar offers 1,500 whiskey labels and will soon launch a substantial wine list.

“Business has been great, but I think events are the next phase … there’s been a big input from our guests that they would love to see that,” he said. 

Gustafson, like more than a dozen other downtown shop owners, also has a desire to use the nearby sidewalk.

The city began permitting and encouraging sidewalk seating about four years ago.

“We do intend to utilize some sidewalk seating as well, but this covered area is fantastic,” he said.

Anthology received a $10,000 facade grant and is one of numerous downtown businesses that have made exterior improvements after the city increased the annual allotment to the program two years ago to the program to $50,000.

The 2025 allotment has already been exhausted, Sweeny said.

Terry Sweeny, director of downtown development for Main Street Warsaw, is one of many impressed with Anthology's improvements.

"Aesthetically, it's very attractive and I think it will attract more people to come downtown and enjoy that business," Sweeney said.

In addition to Anthology, recent facade improvements that have already happened or are scheduled to happen include Rock Steady Pizza, Moving Pictures Tattoo Cinema, Glam Boutique, Lakeland Art Association and Generous Coffee.

Those total improvements are valued at about $470,000, Sweeney said.

"It's a really successful program. It helps leverage public-private investment to improve buildings, preserve those buildings, and support those businesses," Sweeney said.

Below are more photos of Anthology's veranda provided by Gustafson.

[gallery size="full" columns="1" ids="113411,113412,113413"]

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News Release

WARSAW — Le Diner En Blanc is a new event, brought to you by Main Street Warsaw and presented by G&G Hauling & Excavating and Core Mechanical Services.

The al fresco dining experience will take place June 12 on the streets of downtown Warsaw, with the historic County courthouse as a stunning architectural centerpiece. Attendees will need to make reservations for the event in advance.

No tickets will be sold at the event. Reservations need to be finalized
by 12 p.m. on Friday, June 6.

The white décor and attire-themed event features long candlelit tables decorated in white,
lining Buffalo and Center streets.

Guests are encouraged to come dressed in all white and will enjoy a three-course dinner from one of four downtown restaurants and live music and dancing under the setting sun. Guests make a reservation and purchase at either One Ten Craft Meatery, Alchemy, Biryani Indian Kitchen, or La Troje.

A cocktail party sponsored by D&D Electric will feature drinks created by mixology specialists from Falling Rabbit.

“This is a great way to celebrate our community and our downtown restaurants. It’s not only a cocktail party and dinner but also includes dancing under the stars to live music provided by Pablo’s Great Revenge. This is a must-attend type of event and with a wide-ranging set of menus to choose from, it should appeal to many who love to come downtown,” said Downtown Development Director for Main Street Warsaw, Terry Sweeney.

“We are excited to showcase our culinary point of view in a community setting and offer a
sumptuous dinner for our guests,” said Jason Brown, owner of long-time downtown culinary
anchor One Ten Craft Meatery.

The sentiment was echoed by Liz Reed, owner of Alchemy culinary, a newcomer to downtown, who said, “We put together a really unique, seasonal, three-course dinner with different wines that have been specifically curated for each course and included with your dinner.”

The event has a great deal of community support with additional sponsors provided by Skyline Builders, Robinson Construction, Derry Electric, MacAllister, IMI and Hampton Inn Warsaw.

For more information and how to make reservations visit mainstretwarsaw.org

Schedule
D&D Electrical Cocktail Party: 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m.
Dinner: 8 p.m.-9 p.m.
Dancing: 9 p.m-10:30 p.m.
Music: Pablo’s Great Revenge

The post Downtown Warsaw Le Diner En Blanc set for June 12 appeared first on News Now Warsaw.

WARSAW — Main Street Warsaw and Warsaw Public Arts Commission are launching a Downtown Cultural Arts District planning process.

Designing Local, a national leader in urban planning and design, arts and cultural district planning, has been retained to lead the process.

The process will kick off with a public open house to obtain the public’s thoughts on creating a culturally focused district. The event is from 4-6 p.m., Thursday, at Mad Anthony’s Brewing Company 113 E. Center St.

This planning process was identified as a strategic priority in the Downtown Warsaw 2030 Strategic Plan which was released by Main Street Warsaw in February.

“One of the key strategies of the 2030 plan is to make Downtown an art-focused, vibrant destination that has a strong and growing creative economy and will be the community’s living room and gathering space where we celebrate our history, culture and past accomplishments and nurture our creative and entrepreneurial spirit, artistic passions and makers. This planning process will help us further define a vision, priorities and action plan that will guide future arts and placemaking investments in Downtown” said Main Street Warsaw Downtown Development Director, Terry Sweeney.

Designing Local was selected after three consultant groups were interviewed.

“Design Local blew us away," said Suzie Light, Warsaw Public Art Commission member and Leadership Partner for Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation (KEDCO).

"Their experience and passion for cultural district and arts planning is unparalleled and a great fit for Warsaw. They are doing the South Bend Elkart Regional Arts Plan which was funded by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation and Lilly Endowment Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative program also known as READI.  We hope that this planning process will help Downtown Warsaw to compete for some of the Northeast Redevelopment Authority quality of place READI dollars,” Light said.

Public engagement is a priority for the planning process.

In addition to the open house, there will be focus group meetings, one-on-one interviews, and a public survey.  In addition, there is a website to find out more information about the process and provide your input.  Visit warsawartsplan.com to keep up to date on the project which is expected to be completed by July 1, 2025.

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WARSAW — On Friday, more than 600 luminaries will line downtown streets as nearly 20 merchants stay open from 5-8 p.m. offering a holiday sip-n-shop with treats, hot chocolate, wine and cheese and specials on merchandise.

All of the fun is part of the All Is Bright promotion organized by Main Street Warsaw and presented by 1st Source Bank.

In addition, over thirty carolers from Vocal Vibes, Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church and Warsaw Community High School will be strolling downtown streets providing Christmas cheer and adding to the seasonal shopping experience throughout the day starting at 12 noon and going until 8 p.m.

“If you haven’t finished your Christmas shopping or you are looking for a place to meet up with friends or family to celebrate the holidays and take in the season'S sights and sounds coming to downtown this Friday evening is a great place, said Terry Sweeney, Downtown Development Director for Main Street Warsaw.

“Merchants and restaurants have decorated their windows and people can vote on their favorite one via a QR at each window and the All Is Bright customer reward program is still going on. Make a purchase downtown and text “Warsaw” to be entered to win weekly gift certificates and the $1,500 grand prize of gift certificates and Kosciusko Cash. We hope to see you downtown this Friday,” Sweeney added.

Complete details on the Downtown Holiday Open House are available at
www.mainstreetwarsaw.org.

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WARSAW — Main Street Warsaw was seeking input about the future of downtown Warsaw and they certainly got a lot of it Wednesday night with a packed open house at The Vic.

[caption id="attachment_97065" align="alignright" width="220"] Terry Sweeney[/caption]

Terry Sweeny, who was named the Downtown Warsaw Development Director 90 days ago, said Wednesday’s meeting was the result of a 60-day brainstorming session that came together during a retreat.

Main Street Warsaw leaders set forth a wide variety of ideas and priorities visualized on two walls filled with posters in which participants were asked to offer input with comments using color-coded stickers.

Topics were wide-ranging, including who should lead the efforts, the preferred use of real estate, marketing techniques, the focus on entertainment, the need for parking and how to better utilize underperforming properties.

Many people say they think the downtown is on an upward trajectory and that new tenants have driven down the storefront vacancy rate.

Sweeney said he believes the storefront vacancy rate is below 3 percent.

Officials also realize there are numerous key projects looming that are connected to the downtown.

A city-county parking garage has been proposed, an apartment complex is looming where the old Owens grocery store once stood and there is talk of a convention center or entertainment venue.

Sweeney talked about the objectives of Wednesday's meeting.

"What we're trying to do is — how do we grow, and how do we enhance the customer and attract more businesses and continue to raise the level of the experience of downtown," Sweeney said.

The event ran from 5 to 7 p.m. as some people mingled while many focused on the posters along the walls where Main Street staffers were on standby to facilitate discussion and answer questions.

Warsaw City Council member Cindy Dobbins, herself a downtown merchant for 14 years, said she could not recall such an in-depth effort to gauge the community for a future vision.

"I am thrilled with the number of people who have shown up to support it. I was worried whether anyone would show and it has been overwhelming," Dobbins said

All of the data will eventually be calculated and recapped at a later date.

"I'm hoping we can prioritize some things. We're going to have to take it in steps, obviously. Maybe we can lay out a three-year plan, a five-year plan ...," Dobbins said.

[caption id="attachment_97055" align="aligncenter" width="696"] City Councilwoman Cindy Dobbins, facing the camera in the lower right corner, was one of many who attended the Main Street Warsaw meeting at The Vic. News Now Warsaw photo by Dan Spalding.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_97056" align="aligncenter" width="696"] Posters and other information were a big part of the open house meeting Wednesday at The Vic. News Nw Warsaw photo by Dn Spalding.[/caption]

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