French Lick – Accelerate Indiana Municipalities (Aim) announced Mishawaka has earned an Aim Community Placemaking Award for Ironworks Plaza at Robert C. Beutter Riverfront Park. The city was honored with this award on Wednesday, August 23rd during the Annual Awards Luncheon – presented by Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors, LLC during the 2023 Aim Ideas Summit in French Lick. Mishawaka won in the 25,001 – 75,000 population category.
Mishawaka’s Ironworks Plaza at Robert C. Beutter Park is the culmination of a 24-year vision to transform the site into a public destination and city icon. The vision was intentionally curated to create an extension of the downtown with mixed-used development, restaurants, outdoor programming space, and a year-round draw for regional visitors. Ironworks Plaza consists of six distinct areas: The Mill at Ironworks Plaza, Front Street, Ball Band Biergarten, Ironworks Plaza and Rink, Ironworks Event Center and Cafe, and Riverwalk Extension. These areas can act as independent spaces or in unison to create larger spaces for public enjoyment and hosting large community celebrations.
Aim CEO Matt Greller said, “The city’s tenacity and willingness to continually think big has resulted in an amazing placemaking project. This collection of amenities will undoubtedly bring people to Mishawaka who are looking for a central place to live, work and enjoy their lives. For any community seeking prime examples of place-based development, Mishawaka should be on their list.”
The Placemaking Award highlights programs or projects that have been implemented and demonstrate new approaches for solving municipal challenges. Placemaking projects also exemplify the positive impact of planning, regeneration, or economic development work on the physical quality of a place, as well as the economic and social well-being of a community. Nominations must have a physical aspect. Awards are presented in multiple population categories based on nominations received.
In its 47th year, the Aim Annual Awards program, presented by Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors LLC, recognizes communities and individuals in municipal government for excellence and outstanding achievement. A seven-member panel of qualified judges selected this year’s winners from a competitive field of nominees from around the state.
Conference Facts:
2023 Aim Ideas Summit
August 22-24, 2023
French Lick Resort
Attendance: 1,000 (pending final registration count)