Stage 1. Initial Planning.
The first year of the program consists of project planning, property acquisition, procurement, grant and contract approvals by all three state agencies, as well as starting project design.

Stage 2. Transitional: Planning to Implementation.
The second year of ISCP entails executing design and environmental assessments. This involves communities shifting from planning into implementation of projects in the target areas.

Stage 3. Implementation and Continuum of Support.
The third year and final stage of the program consists of full implementation and construction of improvement projects in target areas.

North Vernon's Planning & Implementation

Upon being designated as a community partner participant, the city enters into the next phase of the process. This phase consists of three stages from initial planning toward implementation in a three-year timeframe. North Vernon finished both Stage 1.  Initial Planning and Stage 2. Transitional Stage.  North Vernon at present is in the fourth year and final stage, Stage 3. Implementation and Continuum of Support.  This final stage of the program consists of full implementation and construction of improvement projects in target areas. 

As of December 2014, North Vernon completed approximately half of the projects identified in its community investment plan. A number of North Vernon’s projects are complete are currently underway.   Completed projects  include:
  • Downtown Streetscape and Facades.  As of December 2014, 28 property owners participated in the downtown facade improvement program.   In addition, downtown streetscape improvements are complete.
  • Short Street Plaza and Main Street Development. Phase 1 is complete, with Phase 2 anticipated for completion in the spring of 2015.
Photos of  downtown facades, streetscapes, and Short Street Plaza. Source: Sagamore Institute for Policy Research,  November 2014 and BizVoice Magazine/Indiana Chamber of Commerce, January/February 2015, Volume 18. No. 1.
Photos of  downtown construction. Source: www.northvernonstellar.com/photos
  • The Carnegie Library Restoration.   In 2012, North Vernon completed its restoration of the city's historic Carnegie Library in the downtown.  
Photos of  Carnegie Library Renovation. Source: Sagamore Institute for Policy Research.
  • Irish Hill Housing Improvements.The city finalized investment projects in its Irish Hill Neighborhood which included the renovation of 14 owner-occupied homes (Phase 1).  Phase 2  of the owner-occupied housing consisted of 22 applicants. The Southern Indiana Housing and Community Development Corporation (SIHCDC) , a  sub grantee is responsible for oversight of the housing improvement projects;  funded by a $500,000 grant from IHCDA under the Stellar Communities Program. Each home  received an estimated $20,000 of improvements per home.   
  • Irish Hill Sidewalk & Street Improvements.  Phase 1 of the streetscape improvements is finished. Phase 2 of the street and sidewalk infrastructure improvements is underway. 
Photos   of improvements in Irish Hill neighborhood. Source: www.northvernonstellar.com/photos.
Before and after photos  Summit Street improvements in Irish Hill neighborhood. Source: www.northvernonstellar.com/photos

  • Muscatatuck Trail. The North Vernon Stellar Team finalized  property acquisition for the city’s multi-use trail, which will connect North Vernon to Muscatatuck County Park.

A few of North Vernon’s initial projects were omitted from the Stellar implementation phase.  These projects include:

  • Arvin Site Brownfield Remediation
  • Depot Events Center
  • Main Street Mixed Use

While both the city and the state teams deem these projects as important, they were not able to pair them with eligible federal and state funding programs and sources.  The North Vernon Stellar Team is currently working towards other eligible funding sources to complete these projects.