Mayor's Blog
How Jasper Is Implementing Our 2010 Comprehensive Plan
& Our 2013 Downtown/Riverfront Master Plan
In January of 2015, I provided an update on where we were as a city in response to the 2010 Comprehensive Plan which says: “There was overwhelming agreement the community should aggressively pursue ways to diversify its economy, continue to promote Jasper’s unique cultural history, as well as strengthen its quality of life.” The plan listed eight key issues and ideas:
- Support and strengthen local businesses in the community especially in the downtown area.
- Continue to support and expand recent development along the Patoka River.
- Capitalize on, and provide greater variety of, accommodations for visitors.
- Seek innovative ways to retain and/or redevelop underutilized factories or similar buildings in the downtown area.
- Preserve the surrounding rural setting (avoid sprawl) and seek ways to support local farm practices.
- Continue to support and strengthen Jasper’s unique arts and cultural programs.
- Encourage new development that reflects and enhances the unique character and qualities of the community.
- Provide a greater variety of affordable housing options as one method to attract families to Jasper.
That document also called for investing in planning for our downtown and riverfront leading to the 2013 Downtown/Riverfront Master Plan which states: “With this Plan as a blueprint, Jasper has put itself in the enviable position to re-imagine the character of the community in ways never before envisioned.” Key components are:
- The Courthouse Square
- Enhancing the City’s Relationship to the River
- Reuse of Former Industrial Properties
- Downtown Connectivity
- Integrating Art Into the Public Realm
As of January 2017, millions of dollars of private investment has been unleashed, local Economic Development Income Tax revenues have been judiciously leveraged and millions of dollars in donations have been received to be invested in our city core. All these projects have included a very high degree of public transparency – from public information sessions attended by hundreds, numerous public advisory teams and actions taken at public meetings.
Jasper Quality of Place Investments
Project Investment Funding Source(s)
Smithville Giga-City Fiber Build $ 7.0M (est.) Private
The Parklands of Jasper $ 6.5M (est.) City, State, Gifts
Jasper Lofts (old JOFCO) $15.0M (est.) Private, City, State
River Centre (old Jasper Cabinet) $30.0M (est.) Private, City infrastructure
Jasper Cultural Ctr. (old Hoosier Desk) $17.0M (est.) City, Library, State, Gifts
Vine Street Lofts (old Wood Products) $14.0M (est.) Private, City, State, County
Astra Theater (Next Act LLC) $ 1.6M (est.) Private gifts, State grant
Multi-use Trail $ 2.5M (est.) City, State grant
Downtown Jasper Revitalization $ 4.2M (est.) State, City, Gifts
It will be wonderful to see construction begin on many of these projects in 2017 and continue with the development of others. With so much support from the public, elected officials, boards and city departments we are truly “re-imaging the character of the community”!
We’re very glad you call Jasper home!
Mayor Terry Seitz