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.

Rushville'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. Rushville is currently in Stage 1. Initial Planning and on the way toward Stage 2. Transitional Stage and Stage 3: Implementation and Continuum of Support.

After being designated a Stellar Community, Rushville underwent training in the form of meetings and workshops with the state Stellar team, as well as through contact with previous Stellar designees to gain insights on their experiences with the program. Trainings were ongoing through April 2017, after which throughout the spring and summer of 2017 many projects were initiated. While many projects have begun already, the first efforts involve application and design processes. Specifically, the first phase for many projects involves the engineering and design aspects which could take the first couple years, and then enter the second phase which includes actual implementation and constructions of the projects, often taking up the second couple years. Being so, many projects will not be completed until the final years of participation in the Stellar program, and potentially afterward.

Details regarding the status of projects follow:
Campaign Quarters
  • Progress has began for the Campaign Quarters project, including rehabilitation of the old Durbin Hotel and the Knights of Pythias Building. Although not much visible evidence of progress will show at any point in 2017, important work has already been accomplished. For example, both buildings have been stabilized following IHCDA approval, architectural designs have began, and proposals have been solicited from tax credit investors. A final funding application has also been submitted to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis (FHLBI) for a $500,000 AHP grant, which will be announced in September 2017. Specifically for the old Durbin Hotel, a brownfield grant received by the city has helped the developer of the property mitigate environmental conditions of the site, including a geophysical assessment which identified tanks from an old gas station below the adjoining parking lot. This work has readied the overall site for revitalization, with help of tax credits received with the help of Stellar Designation. Work will continue throughout the fall, including the securing of permits and closing on financing, and actual construction and rehabilitation will begin around December. Project completion for the Campaign Quarters is estimated to occur first of all the Stellar projects, at some point in 2019.
The Overlook at Riverside
  • This is the second project on the agenda for completion, expected 2019-2020.
Downtown Commercial Building Revitalization
  • The city has been awarded $100,000 for use toward exterior structural improvements including facades and roofing for eligible buildings on a first come first serve basis. The city has been actively proposing the program, with outreach in the form of two open houses and calls to qualifying downtown building owners. Completion on this project is expected in 2019-2020.
Neighborhood Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation
  • Up to an estimated 16 homes have the opportunity to receive $15,000 toward improvements at no cost to the resident through the Indiana Housing and Community Development AUthority's (IHCDA) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation program. The improvements are to address conditions in the homes that, if left unattended, would eventually create problems for the integrity of the structure and could become a detriment to the residents quality of life. Eligible improvements include electrical work, heating and cooling, plumbing, roofing, windows and doors, lighting, lead-based paint hazard resolution, and accessibility upgrades including ramp installation and door widening. The program was advertised to Rushville residents through public open houses in March and May 2017 and project priority is determined through a scoring criteria. While the project was originally targeting a neighborhood near downtown, a lack of participants has opened up the rest of the city to this opportunity, approved by IHCDA. Currently 17 applications have already been filed so no other application are being taken at this time. Completion on these projects is due for 2019-2020.
Flatrock Trail and Bike Hub and Morgan Street Corridor and Pedestrian Alley Improvements
  • For both of these projects, INDOT has approved contracts and executed them in July 2017 and design is due to occur shortly. Construction is not expected to begin for a couple years and completion of the projects are due for 2021.
Riverside Park Gateway Plaza
  • Scoring took place mid-July 2017 and further developments are pending.