Woodburn develops plan to revitalize economy, community

WOODBURN, Ind. (WANE) - Residents of the city of Woodburn met over breakfast Sunday morning to make preliminary plans on how to redevelop and improve the community.

The Gourmet Pancake and Sausage Breakfast Fundraiser was organized by the Woodburn Partnership for Downtown Revitalization. The event was held at the Woodburn Community Center. Around 200 people showed up for the meeting.

Woodburn recently finished their U.S. 24 Highway project, "Fort to Port" and now the city wants to capitalize on the improved highway to serve as a catalyst for future growth and revitalization. Woodburn is the first Indiana community on the Heartland Highway Corridor along the eastern border.

People at the meeting were able to put a sticker next to the plan they wanted to see happen first.

The revitalization ideas with the most votes were:

• Bringing back a grocery store to Woodburn
• Supporting downtown businesses
• Sidewalk and trail improvements in the city

The Woodburn Strategic Plan will be presented to the Woodburn City Council in February. A public comment period will be provided prior to a vote for the plan approval.

The LandPlan Group is the architecture firm that has been selected to lead the downtown revitalization planning effort.

Click here to view Woodburn's Strategic Plan