Muncie Magazine April 2024

SERVING DELAWARE COUNTY

Sympathetic Surroundings Isaiah 117 House Coming to Delaware County

Inspiring Initiative The Muncie Land Bank Reclaims and Repurposes Distressed Properties to Improve the Community

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SYMPATHETIC SURROUNDINGS

Isaiah 117 House Coming to Delaware County

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JUST FOR SHOW WHAT A Muncie Civic Theatre DIFFERENCE A DAY Presents “Fiddler on MAKES the Roof” Ivy Tech Foundation Annual Day of Giving Scheduled for April 23

QUITE A HELPING

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HISTORIC CAMMACK STATION CHARITY CRUISE-IN

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THE STATE OF THE CITY WITH MAYOR DAN RIDENOUR

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COMMUNITY CALENDAR

21 APRIL 2024

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INDIANA RESIDENTS GIVE OPINIONS ON PRESIDENT BIDEN, GOVERNOR HOLCOMB IN 2023 HOOSIER SURVEY

The Soup Kitchen of Muncie Celebrating 30 Years With Art-Themed Gala

PUBLISHER JEFF HERN jeff@townepost.com (317) 796-0912 KEY CONTRIBUTORS AMY LEFFINGWELL KEITH ROYSDON COVER PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF RIGGINS

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APRIL CROSSWORD PUZZLE

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PRAIRIE CREEK RESERVOIR PARK

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INSPIRING INITIATIVE

The Muncie Land Bank Reclaims and Repurposes Distressed Properties to Improve the Community

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MUNCIE BUSINESS DIRECTORY

TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. FOUNDER, CEO TOM BRITT tom@townepost.com (317) 496-3599 PRESIDENT JEANNE BRITT jeanne@townepost.com (317) 810-0011 PRODUCTION COORDINATOR ERIN TURK CREATIVE DIRECTORS VAL AUSTIN TONI EADS COPY EDITOR JON SHOULDERS TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. 8800 North Street, Suite 117 Fishers, IN 46038 Phone/Text: (317) 810-0011 FOR FRANCHISE INFORMATION, VISIT FRANCHISING.TOWNEPOST.COM

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CONTACT THE PUBLISHER Have a story idea or suggestion for the magazine?

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SYMPATHETIC SURROUNDINGS

ISAIAH 117 HOUSE COMING TO DELAWARE COUNTY Writer / Keith Roysdon Photography Provided

reality in Delaware County before the end of 2024.

“There have been times kiddos have had to spend a day or two in an office setting,” said Hannah Coffman, location leader for Delaware County’s in-the-works Isaiah 117 House. The idea is to provide a home-like setting for the child and caseworker.

“If something happens at 3 a.m. and they are brought into the house and want to make cookies, we will make cookies,” Coffman said.

The homes are staffed by volunteers.

Imagine if you were 9 years old, removed from an abusive or neglectful circumstance, and headed for foster care - but first, you had to wait for hours or even overnight in a cubicle in a welfare office.

The multi-state Isaiah 117 House locations are intended to prevent that unwelcome layover at a child-services office by offering a homelike accommodation for a child and their caseworker, until a foster home is ready.

With $200,000 in funding spearheaded from Delaware County Commissioner James King and the Delaware County Redevelopment Commission, an Isaiah 117 House should be a

Following a removal approved by the Indiana Department of Child Services, the child is always supervised and accompanied by their caseworker, and while stays at an Isaiah 117 House can be as brief as a few hours, the house is a relief to the child in an already stressful time.

Delaware County’s two-bedroom Isaiah 117 House, on land donated by the county commissioners on South Tillotson Avenue, will be built from the ground up in the coming months. Approvals for utility and service connections are on track, and Coffman said the local organization has made connections with contractors that will do the build.

For more on Isaiah 117 House, visit isaiah117house.com.

TownePost.com | April 2024 | 5

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A DAY MAKES

IVY TECH FOUNDATION ANNUAL DAY OF GIVING SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 23 Story & Photography Provided

6 | April 2024 | TownePost.com

For a student attending college, a day can mean everything. In fact, a day can change the life of someone building their future.

At 12:01 a.m. ET on April 23, the Ivy Tech Foundation will kick off Ivy Tech Day, the college’s second annual day of giving, to help Ivy Tech Community College’s more than 190,000 students - including those studying at Ivy Tech Muncie-Henry County - prepare for graduation day and a better every day after.

For 24 hours, alumni, faculty, staff, donors, community leaders and all who care about breaking down barriers to higher education can contribute to Ivy Tech’s mission of preparing Hoosiers for today’s and tomorrow’s workforce.

Ivy Tech Day aims to generate resources and create opportunities for communities, while reconnecting alumni and friends of Ivy Tech with the important work happening at

Indiana’s largest postsecondary institution and engine of workforce development.

“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who participated in Ivy Tech Day last year, and look forward to uniting again on April 23 to have an even greater impact on students’ lives,” said Jeffrey D. Scott, chancellor at the Ivy Tech Muncie-Henry County campus. “Our campus is doing amazing work, and Ivy Tech has grown to be the biggest community college of its kind in the U.S. Students are receiving unique, personal instruction that prepares them for their careers, and Ivy Tech Day will help us continue making an impact in our community.”

The inaugural Ivy Tech Day in 2023 proved to be an outstanding success for the Muncie-Henry County campus, as the inaugural celebration brought together dedicated employees, community partners,

and alumni in a collaborative effort. The collective enthusiasm resulted in the successful raising of over $26,000 through 257 generous gifts.

Scheduled for April 23, 2024, this year’s celebration promises a lineup of engaging events and social media challenges. We extend a warm invitation to all Ivy Tech employees, their families, friends, alumni, and community partners to actively participate in the festivities.

Anyone interested in contributing to Ivy Tech Day can do so at ivytech.edu/ giveday starting at 12:01 a.m. ET on April 23. Alumni and friends are invited to participate in a variety of other ways, including setting up a matching gift, becoming a social ambassador, and visiting local community partners on Ivy Tech Day. For more on Ivy Tech, go to ivytech.edu.

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SUNDAE FUN DAYS

*All Registration Fees Donated to Local Charities Indicated.

MAY 19 *Reach Food Pantry Yorktown 3-7 P.M. JUNE 16 *Disabled American Veterans 3-7 P.M. JULY 21 *A Better Way in Muncie 3-7 P.M. AUGUST 18 *Delaware County Foster Closet 3-7 P.M. SEPTEMBER 15 *Squared Away Foods, Muncie 3-7 P.M. *SPECIAL EVENT: O’RIELLY’S DISPLAY OF HORSEPOWER!* OCTOBER 20 Shop With a Hero 3-7 P.M. OCTOBER 25 TRUNK or TREAT 4-8 P.M. 50/50* All proceeds from all cruise-ins will go to TOYS FOR TOTS in Delaware County at the end of the season.

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Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope

Saturday, April 20th at the Horizon Convention Center Sponsorship opportunities available Live and silent auctions soupkitchenofmuncie.org

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12 | April 2024 | TownePost.com

THE STATE OF THE CITY WITH MAYOR DAN RIDENOUR

Infrastructure

Equipment We’ve invested in a milling machine, paver, one-man patcher, crack sealer, and other equipment to be able to do more work with our own crew, without the overhead of hiring contractors. This is allowing us to do more than 5 miles of neighborhood roads this year!

2024 Roads Our in-house paving list includes Elsie, Catalpa, Jackson-Woodway, Amherst, 8th and 9th street, Rosewood, MLK, the north lane of Wheeling, Godman, Ethel, Vine, White River, High, Highland, W. Canterberry, and Pershing. Once Community Crossings funding comes in, we can do even more!

McGalliard & Tillotson In order to pave McGalliard and Tillotson, we will need a Federal match. We were originally going to have to wait until 2028, but we are now going to receive funding as early as July!

We will complete East McGalliard this year, Tillotson in 25, and West McGalliard in 26.

TownePost.com | April 2024 | 13

PUBLIC SAFETY Better Opportunities for Better Staff By providing better equipment and opportunities for our Fire Department, we can attract and retain top quality staff to keep our city safe! We now train all new recruits as EMTs immediately, and provide agility testing in Muncie so prospective recruits don’t have to travel. We are also working to get a new fire station to replace station 6, which is outdated and unsafe.

Community Engagement Our police department is committed to building a great relationship with the community, through a community engagement team, lots of educational events, and a new social worker position! A police social worker will be able to provide help for individuals who need resources, not police intervention. The Crisis Center on Hoyt will also provide a place for people to go to receive help with mental health and substance use crises!

Out of nearly 50,000 calls last year (about 135 a day!), Muncie Police only had to respond to resistance 0.6% of the time. This means, for more than 99% of police interactions, officers did not need to physically touch a citizen in any way. MPD policies and de-escalation training is keeping our police department operating at the highest standards!

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QUALITY OF LIFE New playground equipment, splash pads, and ADA accessibility in Public Parks, with the Westside Skatepark on the way

New docks, free beach, new natural history Education Center, and the 45th anniversary of IRONMAN coming to Prairie Creek

700 new housing units, both affordable and market rate, either completed or in development

More than $1.5 Million in Industrial Revolving Loans to entrepreneurs, including women and minority owned businesses

Muncie Mall purchased and in redevelopment by a family-owned company with a history of 34 successful mall restorations

Successful completion of 1,000 Trees in 1,000 Days, and a $2 Million grant to continue urban reforestation efforts

$8 Million in debt paid off since 2020, 16.4% raise in property tax revenue, and long-term financial stability for Muncie

To watch the full State of the City, visit Muncie.in.gov.

TownePost.com | April 2024 | 15

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SPORTS PERFORMANCE

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APRIL

AROUND THE COMMUNITY, 2024

Through May 19

“BEYOND THE MEDICI”: THE HAUKOHL FAMILY COLLECTION The “Beyond the Medici” exhibition presents a selection of artworks from the Haukohl Family Collection, the largest private collection of Florentine baroque art of the late 16th to the early 18th centuries outside of Italy.

David Owsley Museum of Art, Ball State University. bsu.edu/ doma

April 1-2

SOLAR TELESCOPE VIEWING PARTY AT THE SCRAMBLE LIGHT Come view the sun through one of Ball State’s powerful solar telescopes at the Scramble Light. See the sun in a very specific color of red light known as hydrogen-alpha and see the atmospheric region of the sun called the chromosphere.

Learn about and see dramatic features like solar prominences, filaments and flares! 11 a.m., Ball State University campus.

April 2

“RUNNING AGAINST THE GRAIN: THE STORY OF PHILADELPHIA EAGLE AND MOVIE STAR TIMMY BROWN” Roy Weaver and Shawn Sriver, co-authors of “Running Against the Grain: The Story of Philadelphia Eagle and Movie Star Timmy Brown,” will detail the story of Timmy Brown, who went from being a child of divorce to living at an orphanage in rural Indiana to a sports success at Ball State. In the 1960s he played pro football at Green Bay and in Philadelphia. More than 50 years after he left the Eagles, he still held four team records.

He ended his career as a Baltimore Colt in the Super Bowl. 6:30 p.m. No charge.

Reservations required. bsu. edu/ebball

April 3

HONEYSUCKLE PENS Transform a branch from an invasive honeysuckle plant into your own beautifully crafted ink pen. 6 p.m.-8 p.m. $5 a person. Madjax Maker Force. madjax,org

April 4

FIRST THURSDAY ARTSWALK Check out the new exhibits

and maker booths at downtown spots. 5 p.m.-8 p.m. Free. Downtown Muncie. downtownmuncie.org SPRING FLING + DESIGN LAB POP-UP WORKSHOP: GLOWFORGE PLANT MARKERS An evening of fun activities for the whole family! Create plant markers on the Glowforge in the Design Lab at Madjax, pot your own plant, and participate in fun family activities with the East Central Neighborhood Association and other community partners. 5 p.m.-8 p.m. madjax.org CONCERT: WE THE KINGDOM We The Kingdom is a multigenerational family of musicians, producers and songwriters. The band organically formed at a Young Life camp in Georgia, where each of the five members, weary and heartbroken due to a number of difficult circumstances, came to lead worship. 7 p.m. Emens Auditorium, Ball State. bsu. edu.emens

April 5

Coyote has many misconceptions about our home planet and its most familiar neighbors. His confusion about the universe makes viewers think about how Earth, moon and sun work together as a system, and learn to distinguish between myths and science.

Learn the basics of fusion and solar energy, and why the sun rises and sets. Best suited for families and groups with kids ages 8 and up. All ages are welcome. 5:30 p.m. Charles W. Brown Planetarium, Ball State. bsu.edu/planetarium “Eclipse: The Sun Revealed” Planetarium Show There will be a total eclipse of the sun visible from Muncie on April 8, 2024.

Come learn how solar and lunar eclipses happen, and about scientific discoveries that have been supported by total solar eclipses. This show also uses beautiful visuals to explore the historical and cultural view of eclipses, and explains how to safely see these awe-inspiring sights.

6:30 p.m. Charles W. Brown Planetarium, Ball State. bsu. edu/planetarium

“EARTH, MOON, & SUN” PLANETARIUM SHOW

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April 6

MAGIC CITY MUSIC FEST Muncie is the Magic City for many reasons! We celebrate the magic that makes Muncie the place we all love to call home! We’re inviting the good people of Earth to come learn why we love Muncie. One reason we love Muncie is that we know how to dance! Come dance with us and welcome in the cosmic experience of a total eclipse. Featuring several local and regional bands. 4 p.m.

Cornerstone Center for the Arts. cornerstonearts.org MAGIC CITY BREWFEST An unforgettable celebration before the Total Eclipse of the Heartland on April 8! Get ready for a day filled with craft beer, winery and distillery offerings, live music, artistic makers and an atmosphere that’s nothing short of magical!

The party will continue in the auditorium throughout the evening at the Magic City Music Fest, free to Brewfest attendees (see above). 2 p.m. Cornerstone Center for the Arts. cornerstonearts.org MAGIC AT MINNETRISTA: THE TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE HISTORY DAY Explore our solar system and learn about planets with family-friendly activities. Muncie Children’s Museum will help future astronauts prepare for the eclipse by making solar viewing crowns, offering space-

themed sensory bins, and more.

Local author and illustrator Laurie Lunsford will read her book “The Solar Eclipse is Coming.” Solar System Ambassador Sarah Vise will share her expertise with curious learners, and visitors can also attend a performance of the world premiere of “A Golden Curve of Light,” an eclipse-themed one-act play written by award-winning playwright Jennifer Blackmer.

1 p.m.–5 p.m. Free. Minnetrista. minnetrista.net

SPECIAL SATURDAY ECLIPSE ACTIVITIES AT THE BROWN PLANETARIUM Come learn about solar eclipses during special workshops, lectures, planetarium programs and more as we continue to get ready for April’s total solar eclipse. Planetarium shows are at 2:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Free. Charles W. Brown Planetarium, Ball State University. bsu.edu/web/ planetarium

BRAIN GAMES & PUZZLE MAKING Design and print your own custom puzzle while exploring ways to strengthen your body’s most important muscle: your brain! 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Madjax Maker Force. $15 (youth program). madjax.org

MAGIC CITY MARKET Plan to spend your weekend with us! There is a special Magic in Muncie! The Delaware County Fairgrounds is Muncie’s in-town camping and RV accommodation hub for everyone visiting for the Total Eclipse of the Heartland! The Magic City Market will feature live music and dozens of artisan Makers.

Delaware County Fairgrounds.

NATURE AND THE SOLAR ECLIPSE Have you ever wondered how a solar eclipse might impact our local flora and fauna? Stop by the Nature Lab to find out! 10 a.m. Field Station and Environmental Education Center, Ball State University. bsu.edu KIDS MAKE ART AT DOMA Families and kids of all ages are invited to experience art through activities, games and tours. 1:30 p.m.

Free. David Owsley Museum of Art, Ball State University. bsu.edu/doma

April 6-8

April 7

MAGIC AT MINNETRISTA: THE TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE OF THE ARTS Join Minnetrista in appreciating the beauty of the heavens! Afternoon activities facilitated by Minnetrista and Muncie Children’s Museum staff will include coloring sun catchers, making solar viewing crowns, and exploring sensory bins.

That evening, the stars align as Minnetrista and Orchestra Indiana present “Eclipsed: A Magical Night

of Music.” With the sky as our backdrop, visitors are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and picnic blankets to revel in celestial-themed musical selections. Local arts partners and food trucks will be on hand to enhance your experience and round out the evening. 3 p.m-8 p.m. Free. Minnetrista. minnetrista. net

April 8

CELESTIAL EVENT: TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE A total solar eclipse will occur during the day on April 8, and will only be visible by some of the world, including Muncie. The solar eclipse will begin at approximately 1:52:13 p.m., when the moon starts to block out the southwest side of the sun (at the 5 o’clock mark).

The moon will continue to block out more of the sun until totality, when the sun is fully blocked by the moon. Totality in Muncie begins at 3:07:37 p.m. At Ball State University, totality will last about three minutes and 40 seconds, ending at 3:11:15 p.m. The partial solar eclipse will continue until the entire event ends at 4:24:16 p.m. Don’t forget your eclipse glasses! bsu.edu/web/ planetarium/2024-solar-eclipse

April 9

A WOMAN’S PLACE: MAPPING BALL STATE WOMEN’S HISTORY Take a virtual walking tour around campus to learn about some of the sites that are filled with stories

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765-282-8052

related to landmark women’s history. Discover places connected to women learning, teaching, playing, healing, singing, serving, protesting, sometimes misbehaving, and even saving lives. The program will include lots of historic maps, photographs, and newspaper stories and advertisements. 2 p.m. EB Ball Center. Free. Reservations required. bsu.edu/ebball ARTS ALIVE THALEA STRING QUARTET The Thalea String Quartet brings their signature vibrancy and emotional commitment to dynamic performances that reflect the past, present and future of the string quartet repertoire, while celebrating diverse musical traditions from around the world. 7:30 p.m., Sursa Performance Hall, Ball State University. bsu.edu

April 10 & 17

POLYMER CLAY JEWELRY Create your own custom jewelry using polymer clay. 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

Madjax Maker Force. $20 a person (adults). madjax.org

April 11-12

BOB ROSS PAINTING WORKSHOPS Paint with a Certified Ross Instructor on the site where Bob painted for years. This workshop is the perfect opportunity to get creative and learn the process of

ANDERSON 2208 East 8th St. 765-643-6983

painting in Bob Ross’ signature style. Just bring yourself, and we will provide everything you need to have a great time. Just like Bob said, “Let’s get crazy!” Cost: $75; member discounts apply. minnetrista.net

April 11

MUSIC IN THE MUSEUM Faculty from the School of Music and Honors College will perform works from the baroque period and students from the Department of English will share poetry inspired by DOMA’s special exhibition “Beyond the Medici: The Haukohl Family Collection.”

5:30 p.m. Free. bsu.edu/web/ museumofart

April 12

“WE ARE STARS” PLANETARIUM SHOW Narrated by Andy Serkis, this program seeks to answer some of the biggest questions of all time.

What are we made of? Where did it all come from? Explore the secrets of our cosmic chemistry and explosive origins, and connect life on Earth to the evolution of the universe. A family-friendly film full of fun, adventure and enlightenment. Suitable for ages 8 and up, and all ages are welcome.

6:30 p.m. Free. Charles W. Brown Planetarium, Ball State. bsu.edu/ planetarium

MUNCIE 1901 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd 765-288-8882

April 13

“MAGIC TREEHOUSE: SPACE MISSION” PLANETARIUM SHOW Travel with Jack and Annie, stars of the Magic Tree House® best-selling children’s book series, as they search for answers to a mysterious riddle they discover in a written note signed “–M.” 3:30 p.m. Free.

Charles W. Brown Planetarium, Ball State. bsu.edu/planetarium MAKE A WELCOME DOOR HANGER Customize your own painted and vinyl door hanger. 6 p.m.-8 p.m.

Madjax Maker Force. $20 (adults). madjax.org UNIVERSITY SINGERS 60TH ANNUAL SPECTACULAR This must-see event will be a ONENIGHT-ONLY show, so be sure to plan ahead with your friends, family and fans to join the hundreds of audience members cheering on the singers during our professional-level performance of music throughout the decades! This will be a showing of faith, hope, laughter and love that you will not want to miss! 7 p.m.

Emens Auditorium. bsu.edu/emens

April 14

CARDINAL CHORUS, VOX ANIMA, AND UNIVERSITY CHORAL UNION Ball State Choirs perform in Sursa Hall. Under the direction of Andrew

Crow, Kerry Glann and Mark Statler, the Ball State Choirs present a series of concerts each year featuring a wide range of music from around the world and across the centuries.

3 p.m. Sursa Performance Hall, Ball State University. bsu.edu

April 17

TAPAS AND TALK: EVERYDAY LIFE IN MIDDLETOWN Since 2016, the Everyday Life in Middletown project has invited Muncie residents to document their daily experiences, resulting in a publicly accessible archive with over 500 accounts. Project Directors Dr. Patrick Collier and Dr. Jim Connolly will discuss insights gleaned from this unique initiative, covering topics such as responses to the COVID-19 pandemic, living in a post-industrial city, and the evolving role of social media in daily life. 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. Minnetrista. Cost: $25. Registration Deadline: April 10. minnetrista.net

April 19, 21

SPRING OPERA Come see Ball State Opera Theatre’s spring production. Program to be announced. 7:30 p.m. Sursa Performance Hall, Ball State University. bsu.edu

April 20

INTRO TO COFFEE ROASTING Learn the basics of home roasting and explore different grinding

Carrying on the family tradition of fair, honest and quality auto service in Delaware County while volunteering to make our community a better place to live

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and brewing techniques. Optional: Customize your own mug to take home! 1 p.m.-3 p.m. Madjax Maker Force. $15-$20 (adults). madjax.org

someone!” 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Oakhurst Home (Minnetrista campus). Free. minnetrista.net

EARTH DAY Celebrate our planet with crafts, activities, and more. 10 a.m.

Field Station and Environmental Education Center, Ball State University. Free. bsu.edu/fseec

“ALICE: DREAMING OF WONDERLAND” Get ready to experience an amazing journey in the crazy world of Wonderland! Based on the classic

by Lewis Carroll, “Alice” is an action-packed theatrical circus full of surprises, amazing acts, video projection with 3D mapping, and live music. Alice’s adventures are a manifesto to fantasy and free spirit, as well as a profound philosophy towards respecting all opinions, including those that may be different from your own. 7:30 p.m.

Emens Auditorium. bsu.edu/emens

April 21

SPRING BRUNCH AT MINNETRISTA Savor an exceptional buffet by Minnetrista’s skilled hospitality team! Your ticket includes unlimited access to the buffet, including complimentary coffee tea, and juices. Elevate your brunch with an optional mimosa upgrade. 10:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Cost: $30 per person; $15 for children aged 3 to 12; 2 and under are free. minnetrista.net HUMAN LIBRARY PROJECT The Human Library, originating in Denmark in 2000, fosters conversations to challenge prejudices and stereotypes.

Readers can “check out” volunteer “books” (individuals with stories of prejudice or social exclusion) to engage in dialogue. Active in over 80 countries, The Human Library encourages people to “Unjudge

April 24

RAIN BARRELS Learn how rain barrels can help contribute to a more sustainable local ecosystem, and learn to build your own rain barrel. Make a barrel and take it home ready to use. 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Madjax Maker Force.

Pre-registration required. madjax.org

April 25

GLASS WORKSHOP Create a beautiful set of glass garden stakes just in time for spring. This workshop will delve into the method of fused glasswork,

using tiny glass pieces to create a beautifully unique design made by you! For ages 13 and up. All tools, supplies and safety gear will be provided. This workshop welcomes both beginners and intermediatelevel glass workers. 6 p.m.-9 p.m.

Minnetrista. Cost: $60; member discounts apply. Registration deadline: April 22. minnetrista.net

April 27

MUNCIE ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION Come together with Minnetrista, Muncie’s Urban Forestry Committee, and community partners for the Muncie Arbor Day celebration featuring a sapling giveaway.

Engage in informative tree and sapling planting demos, offering practical insights for effective tree care. Unleash your creative side at craft stations, promoting artistic expression for families and children. Choose your sapling from our selection of oaks, sycamore, bald cypress, hawthorn and more.

Whether you need help planting a sapling, advice on selecting the perfect tree and its ideal location, or want to take part in a free raffle to win a tree, gardening tools and other great prizes, you are in for an informative and enjoyable experience! 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Minnetrista.

Free. minnetrista.net

NATURE SCENE SCULPTURES Sculpt your own hanging nature scene using polymer clay and natural elements. 1 p.m.-3 p.m.

Madjax Maker Force. $15 (adults).

Pre-registration required. madjax. org

April 27

CONCERT CHOIR AND CHAMBER CHOIR Under the direction of Andrew Crow, director of choral activities, and Kerry Glann, the Ball State Choirs present a series of concerts each year featuring a wide range of music from around the world and across the centuries.

7:30 p.m. Sursa Performance Hall, Ball State University. Tickets. bsu.edu/ web/emens ANNUAL PLANT SALE AND FUNDRAISER Houseplants, succulents, herbs, orchids, native outdoor plants, and more will be available! All proceeds support environmental education programs. 10 a.m. Dr. Joe and Alice Rinard Orchid Greenhouse Classroom, Ball State University. bsu.edu/fseec

April 28

CUPLETS Cuplets is a live, open-mic poetry night at The Cup in The Village. 3 p.m. The Cup, 1606 W. University Ave. Free.

CALENDAR PROVIDED BY THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AT BALL STATE UNIVERSITY AND DESTINATION: MUNCIE

Follow us on Facebook so you can find outCONCESSIONS A TEAM where the A TEAM food truck will be!

765-702-7188

TheATeamConcessions@gmail.com A Team Concessions 20 | April 2024 | TownePost.com

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INDIANA RESIDENTS GIVE OPINIONS ON PRESIDENT BIDEN, GOVERNOR HOLCOMB IN 2023 HOOSIER SURVEY Story & Photography Provided

Ball State University’s 2023 Hoosier Survey - the Bowen Center for Public Affairs’ annual nonpartisan public policy study - is once again providing insight into Indiana residents’ thoughts about the effectiveness of President Joe Biden and Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb.

President Biden is not popular right now, and given he lost Indiana by a large margin in 2020, it is not surprising that he remains unpopular in the state,” said Dr. Chad Kinsella, director of the Bowen Center for Public Affairs and associate professor of political science at Ball State.

The center on Tuesday released the second of three rounds of results from this year’s Hoosier Survey, which represents the pulse of the state regarding the most pressing issues facing Indiana residents.

•F or the question, “Overall, do you approve or disapprove of the job Eric Holcomb is doing as governor of Indiana?” 42.2% of respondents selected “Approve,” 34.5% selected “Disapprove,” while 23.3% selected “Don’t know/Not sure.”

Highlights of some of the results, which can be found on the Bowen Center for Public Affairs website, include: • For the question, “Overall, do you approve or disapprove of the job Joe Biden is doing as president?” 57.8% of respondents selected “Disapprove,” 32.8% selected “Approve,” while 9.3% selected “Don’t know/Not sure.”

The results are similar to last year’s Hoosier Survey question about President Biden, in which 58.2% of respondents disapproved of his job performance, 35.3% approved, and 6.5% selected no answer.

“Many national polls have found that

This year’s results represent a slight decrease in Holcomb’s approval rating over last year’s Hoosier Survey, in which 48.7% of respondents selected they “Approve,” while 34.7% selected “Disapprove,” and 16.7% did not answer.

“One aspect that is the most interesting to me is the high number of respondents who select ‘Don’t know/Not sure’ to this question,” Kinsella said. “What has been found in past Hoosier Surveys and other state surveys is that there are large numbers of people, anywhere from 25 to 33% of respondents, who do not know who the governor of their state is. Overall, Governor Holcomb remains popular, but

there are a lot of people in Indiana and across the country that are not aware of state politics and politicians.”

This year’s Hoosier Survey featured interviews with 600 Indiana adults (age 18 or older). Respondents were asked several closed-end questions concerning policy related to local, state and national politics, as well as demographic questions.

No respondents were asked to identify themselves at any point during the survey, and all data is maintained as anonymous.

A first-of-its-kind public policy survey for the Bowen Center for Public Affairs, the inaugural Hoosier Survey was conducted in 2008. It is the only Indiana-specific survey in the state that examines Hoosiers’ opinions on a variety of national, state and local issues. Several demographics are collected with each survey, including gender, political party, ideology, age, education, race, income and religious service attendance.

A complete listing of all Hoosier Survey results can be found on the Bowen Center for Public Affairs website at bsu. edu/academics/centersandinstitutes/ bowencenter.

TownePost.com | April 2024 | 21

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JUST FOR SHOW MUNCIE CIVIC THEATRE PRESENTS “FIDDLER ON THE ROOF” Story & Photography Provided

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C

ommunity. It’s a word you will hear often when talking with people involved in the upcoming Muncie Civic Theatre production of the musical “Fiddler on the Roof.”

Take the show’s director, Michael O’Hara, for example.

“The show is about community - community that, in this case, is cast out of their town by hate and fear, but they, the community, face this adversity with humanity and courage,” he said. “That message of community, the deep connections that we can, and sometimes still do, feel for one another, is one that resonates through the ages. We all seek community, and I’m very grateful for the community that I’ve found here in Muncie.”

And Adam B. Shapiro is thrilled to be able to return to this community as a guest artist, playing the traditional patriarch Tevye. A 2004 graduate of Ball State University (BSU) as a musical theater major, Shapiro received a call in 2022 from his former BSU mentor (and now, good friend) O’Hara about the possibility of returning to Muncie for the show. Shapiro, after all, is no stranger to the “Fiddler” community. “‘Fiddler on the Roof ’ has been present throughout my entire theatrical life,” he said, adding that he first played Tevye at age 9 at an Indianapolis summer camp, followed by a high school production. After moving to New York City after college, he landed roles in the first off-Broadway and award-winning United States production of “Fiddler” in Yiddish, directed by Oscar and Tony winner Joel Grey of “Cabaret” fame.

Shapiro has been working remotely with the 60-

plus Muncie cast members via FaceTime and Zoom.

Understudy Patrick McDonald has been on stage in person to do the blocking and choreography.

Speaking of the cast, O’Hara has built quite a community there as well. “We have several families performing together - not always the entire family, but lots of parents with at least one or two children of their own on stage,” he said.

Muncie resident Sally Kelley portrays Golde in the production. She described her character as “a strong, flawed woman…grounded and no-nonsense, the perfect foil to Tevye, the affable dreamer.”

Kelley said she was drawn to the show because “the story is funny, poignant and heart-breaking. The characters feel familiar. They remind you of various people you know in your own community. I wanted to be a part of such wonderful storytelling.”

Storytelling that is also timeless.

“We all have these family structures we can relate to, whether we are the child or the parent,” said Muncie Civic Theatre Executive Director Laura Williamson. “I feel like we can all see ourselves in this simple story that is about so much more than arranged marriages.”

Muncie Civic Theatre will present “Fiddler on the Roof ” on its Mainstage April 12-14, 19-21 and 25-28. Thursday, Friday and Saturday shows will begin at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday matinees will begin at 2:30 p.m. For tickets and more information, go to munciecivic.org or call 765-288PLAY. TownePost.com | April 2024 | 27

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QUITE A HELPING THE SOUP KITCHEN OF MUNCIE CELEBRATING 30 YEARS WITH ART-THEMED GALA Writer / Amy Leffingwell Photography Provided

In the heart of Muncie, a symbol of hope and community has devoted three decades to assisting individuals in need. Founded in 1994, the Soup Kitchen of Muncie, previously known as Harvest Soup Kitchen, was established by the late Garnet Wince and Father Grady from St. Mary Catholic Church, in response to the ongoing need to provide meals to the community. The kitchen is in the historical St. Lawrence School, at the intersection of Charles and Hackley streets, a well-known food desert.

It welcomes the community with open 30 | April 2024 | TownePost.com

arms five days a week, providing more than just meals; it offers a cozy and inclusive environment for everyone who walks through its doors.

“Serving food is a primary need that must be met,” said Loretta Parsons, executive director of the Soup Kitchen of Muncie.

“If people in our community don’t have to worry about a safe place to get food, they can go on and accomplish other things to help them move forward in their lives.”

The mission of the Soup Kitchen is simple: to feed the hungry of Muncie and Delaware County with dignity and respect without regard to race, gender, sexuality or religious preference. “We treat our guests how we would like to be treated,” said Parsons. “We feed anyone who walks through our doors, no questions asked.”

Among the daily visitors is Billy, a single dad whose wife passed unexpectedly, leaving him to raise five children on his own. For Billy and his family, the soup kitchen has

become more than a place to eat. It’s a place where the volunteers have stepped in to fill roles beyond what one might expect, offering support and becoming part of the extended family his children need.

In all of its 30 years, 2023 was the biggest year the kitchen ever had. It served around 40,000 people, which is close to 80,000 meals. That’s up nearly 15% since 2019.

Inflation has sent food costs soaring, which has a huge impact on the kitchen.

It relies on monetary and food donations, and volunteers to continue to support the underserved.

The kitchen also collaborates with other nonprofits by donating meals as they can, to help more people in the community.

“Women and children who reside in the YWCA often come with food insecurities,” said YWCA Executive Director WaTasha Barnes Griffin. “Every day we work with the Soup Kitchen of Muncie to ensure their needs are met. Monday through Friday our staff pick the meals up and bring them back to the shelter. We appreciate the valuable partnership with the Soup Kitchen of Muncie.”

On April 20 the kitchen team will host its 30th anniversary gala - the art-themed “Painting a Brighter Picture by Fighting Hunger, Feeding Hope” at the Horizon Convention Center. Businessman Fred Reese is at the helm of organizing the gala, with support from Muncie’s art scene. He is renowned for creating the acclaimed Rialzo gala for Meridian Health Services. Expect an evening of entertainment, said Reese. “This won’t be another boring fundraising lunch or dinner,” he said. “Get ready to be wowed.”

The kitchen offers food, fellowship and hope. “I believe we do offer hope here,” said Parsons. “Our guests realize they can do things to move forward in whatever struggle they’re going through.”

Help support the Soup Kitchen of Muncie.

Gala sponsorship opportunities are available and ticket sales are live. For more information, or to simply donate, visit soupkitchenofmuncie.org.

TownePost.com | April 2024 | 31

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INSPIRING INITIATIVE

THE MUNCIE LAND BANK RECLAIMS AND REPURPOSES DISTRESSED PROPERTIES TO IMPROVE THE COMMUNITY Story & Photography Provided

In the midst of a nationwide housing crisis exacerbated by rising rents, aging infrastructure and neglectful property management, the Muncie Land Bank emerges as an important tool for communities grappling with the blight of vacant, abandoned and dilapidated properties. These derelict structures not only mar the landscape, but also undermine the sense of safety, stability and community pride vital to neighborhood well-being.

Against this backdrop, the Muncie Land Bank stands as an organization with unique abilities to fight against urban decay and disinvestment, offering a multifaceted approach to address the root causes of blight and revitalize neighborhoods.

THE CHALLENGES Imagine strolling down your street in Muncie, passing by houses with mattresses strewn across the front yard, broken windows, and a revolving door of renters without many quality options. Further down, a once-charming home now stands forlorn, with weeds engulfing the yard and a tree bursting through the roof. These scenes are all too familiar for many hardworking residents who witness firsthand the consequences of absentee landlords and neglectful property owners.

Despite their best efforts to improve their neighborhoods, residents find themselves powerless in the face of rampant disinvestment and decay. The influx of investors, both local and international, has only worsened the situation, with many prioritizing profits over community well-being. Consequently, both banks and residents hesitate to invest in home improvements, perpetuating a vicious cycle of neglect and decline.

A study done in 2017 found there to be approximately 2,400 vacant lots, 1,300 vacant structures and 750 blighted structures in Muncie. The external costs of vacant, abandoned and deteriorating properties are far reaching: decreasing the property values of adjacent properties, decreasing property-tax revenues, as well as increasing costs for police and public safety, local government code enforcement, and more. In fact, these properties cost Muncie and Delaware County millions of dollars in lost tax revenue per year. The City of Muncie pays for the effects of vacant properties through code enforcement and public safety. Residents of Muncie also pay, as the value of land around abandoned property is depressed by nearly 15%.

The sheer scale of the problem makes it difficult for the Delaware County government to address this challenge in a more targeted or nuanced manner.

The current approach of auctioning off properties through tax lien auctions, while intended to recoup lost tax revenue and mitigate the burden on taxpayers, inadvertently contributes to the perpetuation of blight and decay in communities like Muncie. In many cases, the properties sold through these auctions end up in the hands of buyers or speculators who may lack the necessary expertise or commitment to rehabilitate them effectively.

Without proper vetting or consideration of the potential impact on the community, these buyers may prioritize short-term profits over the long-term health and vitality of neighborhoods. As a result, properties continue to deteriorate, contributing to a cycle of neglect that further burdens local residents and authorities.

Between 2011 and 2021, a staggering 5,848 unique properties were auctioned by the county for failure to pay taxes. On average, these properties were listed in the tax sale 2.8 times, with over half listed more than once. Alarmingly, 32% of properties were sold two or more times during this period, indicating a recurring cycle of neglect and mismanagement.

In each of the last three years, approximately 600 properties have entered the county tax foreclosure sale. Alarmingly, around 400 of these properties did not sell each year, left to deteriorate further in a cycle of neglect.

Meanwhile, the city faces approximately 60 unsafe-building hearing cases monthly, with only a third of owners appearing at these hearings. Tax delinquency, building code violations and absentee owners characterize many of these abandoned properties, imposing significant costs on citizens in terms of lost tax revenue and diminished quality of life.

LAND BANKING: A TOOL FOR MUNCIE AND DELAWARE COUNTY Enter the Muncie Land Bank, a pioneering initiative dedicated to reclaiming and repurposing distressed properties for the betterment of the community. At its core, land banking offers a strategic approach to combating blight by acquiring problem properties, assuming ownership, and leveraging them as assets for community revitalization. By serving as a responsive local owner, the land bank ensures that these properties are secured, maintained and free from blight. Moreover, by increasing the supply of available housing, the land bank mitigates the risk of squatting and stimulates investment in neglected neighborhoods.

TownePost.com | April 2024 | 37

WHAT THE LAND BANK DOES Title Acquisition: A cornerstone of the land bank’s strategy is acquiring properties through various channels, including governmental agreements, donations and direct purchases. Many of these properties are tax delinquent and burdened by liens, making them undesirable on the open market. Through strategic partnerships with entities like the Muncie Redevelopment Commission and the Delaware County commissioners, as well as donations from organizations like Habitat for Humanity, the land bank secures properties that would otherwise languish in neglect.

Rehabilitation and Repurposing: The ultimate goal of the Muncie Land Bank is to find sustainable reuses for acquired properties, thereby revitalizing neighborhoods and creating opportunities for affordable housing. Unlike the indiscriminate approach of tax lien auctions, the land bank carefully vets individuals and organizations seeking to acquire property from it. This vetting process ensures that properties are transferred to parties committed to rehabilitating or repurposing them for the benefit of the community.

Moreover, the land bank utilizes deeds with restrictions to hold buyers accountable for their stated purposes.

These restrictions legally bind buyers to Property Management: Once acquired, fulfill their commitments to rehabilitate the land bank takes proactive measures to address safety concerns, clear encumbrances or repurpose the properties they acquire.

Should a buyer fail to follow through on and prevent further deterioration. This their obligations, the land bank retains the includes securing properties, maintaining ability to reclaim the property, ensuring that them and negotiating with lienholders it remains a productive asset for community to resolve outstanding debts. By actively revitalization efforts. managing these properties, the land bank ensures that they remain assets rather than In addition to individual property sales, the liabilities for the community. land bank strategically assembles clusters

of properties to facilitate medium-scale development projects. By coordinating with local developers, community organizations and other stakeholders, the land bank maximizes its impact on neighborhood revitalization. Through these initiatives, the land bank not only addresses blight and disinvestment, but also fosters sustainable growth and renewal in Muncie’s communities.

Since its inception, the Muncie Land Bank has made significant strides in reclaiming and repurposing distressed properties for the benefit of the community. Despite operating on a shoestring budget primarily funded by local foundations, the land bank has acquired 85 properties and sold 61, with plans to further expand its impact in the coming years. By harnessing the power of land banking and fostering collaboration with stakeholders, the Muncie Land Bank remains steadfast in its commitment to revitalizing neighborhoods, fostering community pride, and creating a brighter future for all residents.

*ScoutMuncie was a project led by the City of Muncie Historic Preservation and Rehabilitation Commission, and the Delaware County Historical Society to gather information on property conditions, occupancy rates, and potential historic structures. Using a mobile GIS (Geographic Information System) application created and hosted by the Delaware County Office of Information, volunteers and paid surveyors visited Muncie’s neighborhoods in order to collect the information – one property at a time. Between August 2015 to January 2017 with tremendous help from Ball State University students, preservation professionals, and community members, nearly 30,000 parcels were surveyed reaching the project’s goal of 100% survey completion for all of Muncie’s neighborhoods.

38 | April 2024 | TownePost.com

LAND BANK Ownership of vacant lots and structures is highly dispersed

Ownership of vacant properties in most communities is highly dispersed, which complicates any effort to manage the negative community impacts of vacant land and structures. Muncie is no different. Of the more than 2,400 vacant lots in the city, 63% are owned by individuals or companies that own just one or two lots and fewer than 3% are owned by a public entity or some other entity with a neighborhood improvement mission.

Among structures that are considered vacant by the U.S. Postal Service, ownership dispersion is even greater, with 75% owned by individuals or companies that own one or two vacant structures. A higher share of vacant structures, however, are under the control of a public entity or an entity with a neighborhood improvement mission—roughly 7% .

2,452

2,255

Vacant Platted Lots in City of Muncie

Vacant Structures in City of Muncie

11

5

115

79

(according to USPS)

Owners of these properties Owners with 10+ properties

Owners with 3 to 9 properties

Owners with 1 or 2 properties

Number of Unique Owners

Number of Unique Owners

1,429

1,569

86.4%

86.2%

59

152

1,555

Share of Properties with Indiana-based Ownership Properties owned by a public entity or an entity with a neighborhood improvement mission

1,653

Sources: czb analysis of 2021 Delaware County property assessment data; vacant structure count based on U.S. Postal Service vacancy indicator for April 2021 and includes all property classes; public entities or entities with a neighborhood improvement mission include the Muncie Redevelopment Commission, Muncie Land Bank, Delaware County, Muncie Sanitary District, Habitat for Humanity, and neighborhood associations. USPS data may miss some vacant properties that are owned by public entities.

Muncie Land Bank Strategic Plan | October 2021 TownePost.com | April 2024 | 39

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PART 1

Conditions and Trends in Muncie’s Neighborhoods

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Starkly uneven housing conditions and a large inventory of distressed properties Muncie’s housing supply increasingly reinforces soft demand and lack of confidence due to its condition, as indicated by large proportions of properties showing visible signs of physical distress in spring 2021.

10

Muncie Land Bank Strategic Plan | October 2021

Field Survey of Property Conditions

Severe Distress

Moderate Distress

Average

Good

Excellent

czb’s 2021 survey of residential conditions in Muncie found 35 that 6,100 properties, or 27%, showed signs of moderate or severe distress.

Meanwhile, nearly 30% were found to be in average condition 3 and were deemed vulnerable to decline—especially those in close proximity of blighted properties.

While large areas near Ball State University feature solidly strong property conditions, strong properties elsewhere in the city are often very close to blocks or corridors that give off signals of disinvestment.

TownePost.com | April 2024 | 41

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in good condition on well-maintained streets in genuinely healthy neighborhoods are buying in Muncie less and less, keeping prices relatively low. Existing owners who are not realizing appreciation are not reinvesting in their homes to the levels required to maintain an appealing housing stock. All of this has changed the math of the Muncie housing market for homebuyers, making a significant What this means for Muncie’s Neighborhoods percentage of Muncie’s A consequence of these issues, when combined, is that homebuyers who are housing stocks more looking for homes in good condition on well-maintained streets in genuinely appealing to absentee healthy neighborhoods are buying in Muncie less and less, keeping prices relatively investors. Since the low. Existing owners who are not realizing appreciationmajority are notof reinvesting singles in their homes to the levels required to maintain an appealing housing stock. of this and doubles in All Muncie has changed the math of the Muncie housing market for homebuyers, a cannot cash flowmaking as significant percentage of Muncie’s housing stocks morerentals appealing to absentee without even investors. Since the majority of singles and doubles in Muncie cannot cash flow as more disinvestment, rentals without even more disinvestment, those that dothose transition have a very high that do transition probability of PART degrading a veryNeighborhoods high 2 further.

Strategic Grounding for have Muncie’s probability of degrading When a community’s housing market, housing conditions, and fiscal capacity further. reach the levels now experienced in Muncie, the costs of “catching up” on deferred When a community’s maintenance in order to restore confidence and healthy levels of investment —on housing market, housing everything from housing to streets to parks—begins toconditions, outweigh and the fiscal resources at hand. capacity reach the levels

Costs of “catching up”

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A Shared Understanding of Market Conditions

now experienced in As this happens, certain approaches to strategy development become Muncie, the ofcritical In addition tocosts broad adoption of the same outcomes by MLB and other entities, to improve the probability that invested resources will build confidence and disrupt “catching up” on deferred putting the strategic negative investment behaviors and patterns. maintenance in order todirection from TogetherDM into practice will require a shared PART 2 Strategic Grounding for Muncie’s Neighborhoods understanding of market conditions across Muncie’s neighborhoods and how those restore confidence and healthy levels of investment —on everything and expectations. conditions should shape interventions from housing to streets to parks—begins to To outweigh successfully match the different market geographies of Muncie with interventions the resources at hand. with interventions that reflect the strategic needs of those markets, A Shared Understanding of Market Conditions

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A Shared Understanding of Market Conditions that reflect the strategic needs of those markets, the TogetherDM process has

the TogetherDM process has produced a market typology of As this happens, In addition to broad adoption of the same outcomes

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produced a market typology of Delaware County and the City of Muncie. This tool, which reflects longstanding real estate patterns in the region, is an amalgam of seven confidence andwith disrupt negative measurements that relate to levels of housing demand: recent average Towill successfully match the different market geographies Muncie interventions require a shared understanding of ofmarket conditions across measurements that relate to investment levels of housing demand: recent average sale prices, that reflect the strategic needs of those markets, the TogetherDM process has behaviors and patterns. sale prices, change in average sale prices over time, median gross rent, Muncie’s neighborhoods and how those conditions should shape produced a market typology of Delaware County andin theaverage City of Muncie.sale This tool, change prices over time, median gross rent, owner-occupancy rates owner-occupancy rates for single-family homes, rates of vacancy and which reflects longstanding real estate patterns in the region, is an amalgam of seven interventions and expectations. for demand: single-family and abandonment, median household measurements that relate to levels of housing recent averagehomes, sale prices, rates of vacancy abandonment, median household income, and the rate of households change in average sale prices over time, median gross rent, owner-occupancy rates receivingSNAP SNAP or assistance. income, andmedian the rate of households receiving orpublic public assistance. successfully the different market geographies forTo single-family homes, match rates of vacancy and abandonment, household of Muncie income, and the rate of households receiving SNAP or public assistance.

Market Typology and Relationship to MLB

Market Typology of Delaware County

and City of Muncie, by Block Group Market Typology and Relationship to MLB

LOWEST DEMAND

HIGHEST DEMAND

Market Typology of Delaware County and City of Muncie, by Block Group

12

20

LOWEST DEMAND

HIGHEST DEMAND

Muncie Land Bank Strategic Plan | October 2021

Muncie Land Bank Strategic Plan | October 2021

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Muncie Land Bank Strategic Plan | October 2021

TownePost.com | April 2024 | 43

Brewery/ Residential/ Restaurant/Live Commercial Remodeling ASPECT 6 CREATIVE Entertainment

MUNCIE BUSINESS DIRECTORY

2024 DIRECTORY & RELOCATION GUIDE

Advertising/ Marketing

44 | April 2024 | TownePost.com

Allison Robbins 122 N. Walnut 765-896-8754 aspect6creative.com

Air BnB TLC EQUITIES Meeka Jennings 765-716-7307 tlcequities.com tlcequitiesllc@gmail.com

Automotive Repair TOM CHERRY MUFFLERS 321 W. 8th Street 765-289-2211 tomcherry.com tomcherrymuffler@gmail. com

Ballet Studio MUNCIE BALLET Lisa Love 765-216-5472 MuncieBallet@gmail.com MuncieBallet.org

Boutiques/ Clothing and Accessories WHIMSIES 4205 North Wheeling Avenue whimsies.shop

ELM STREET BREWING COMPANY

PROPERTY PROS MAINTENANCE & CONSTRUCTION

519 N. Elm Street 765-273-2054 info@elmstbrewingco.com

2560 W. Kilgore Ave. 765-400-7767 lindsey@propertyprosmuncie.com propertyprosmuncie.com

Catering/Food Truck A TEAM CONCESSIONS & CATERING 765-702-7188 TheATeamConcessions@ gmail.com

Cell Phone and Electronics Repair

Concrete Coatings ADPRO CONCRETE COATINGS 765-283-2965 info@adpro-cc.com adproconcretecoatings.com

Credit Union and Banking 3RIVERS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

CPR CELL PHONE REPAIR MUNCIE

6220 W. McGalliard Rd. 765-685-0009 3riversfcu.org

804 E. McGalliard Rd. 765-216-1784 repairs@cpr-muncie.com cellphonerepair.com/munciemall

Dry Cleaners and Tux Rentals

Chiropractors and Health Services CARDINAL CLINIC OF CHIROPRACTIC 1904 W. Royale Dr. 765-881-8047 cardinalchiropracticmuncie.com

BILL SHROYER’S VOGUE CLEANERS 302 E. Williard 765-288-1981 604 S. Tillotson Ave. 765-288-7697 3608 N. Wheeling Ave. 765-288-6220 Vogue Plaza 4100 W. Bethel Ave. 765-288-2077

Education and Careers

Human Resources/ Staffing

IVY TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE

AQS STAFFING

345 South High Street 1-888-489-5463 ivytech.edu

Food and Beverage MANCINO’S SWEET SHOP 4116 West Bethel Avenue 765-287-1300 mancinosmuncie.com

Framing CREATIVE FRAMING 765-744-7920 Creativeframing@comcast.net creativeframingmuncie.com

Gardening Store/ Nursery WISE COUNTRY MARKET 1700 N. Walnut Street 765-288-4113 wisecountrymarket.com

Gym/Physical Fitness ARSENAL FITNESS 210 E. Centennial Ave. arsenalfitness.com

Furniture and Mattress WALLS FURNITURE & MATTRESS 3611 N. Nebo Road 765-286-5494 wallsfurniture.com

2620 W. Kilgore Avenue 765-896-8922 info@AdvancedQS.com advanceqs.com

Commercial and Group Health Insurance KRAMER INSURANCE Kurt Kramer 3612 N. Wheeling Avenue 765-896-8852 kurt@kramerinsuresit.com kramerinsuresit.com

CLARK INSURANCE 2403 S. Park Ave., Alexandria 765-724-7637

Interior Decorating JULIANN BARNES DESIGNS 765-702-3534 juliannbarnesdesigns@gmail.com juliannbarnesdesigns.com

Legal MATHEWSON LAW, P.C, 625 South Tillotson Avenue 765-587-4526 leslie@mathewsonlawpc.com

Med Spa REVITALIZE MED SPA 1714 W. Royale Drive 765-372-8187 revitalize-med-spa.com

Home Maintenance and Handyman Services MAINTENANCE MIKE 463-701-6453 maintenancemikemuncie.com info@maintenancemikemuncie.com

Medical and Health INDIANA VEIN INSTITUTE 1714 W. Royale Drive 765-372-8187 indianaveins.com

Museum and Gardens MINNETRISTA MUSEUM AND GARDENS 1200 N. Minnetrista Pkwy.

765-282-4848 info@minnetrista.net minnetrista.net

Outdoor Equipment and Repair OUTDOOR CONCEPTS 1018 West Centennial Ave. 765-587-4841 outdoorconcepts.com

Party Supply and Rental VISTA EVENT RENTALS, LLC 765-234-6880 info@vistaeventrentals.com vistaeventrentals.com

Pest Control Services AMERICAN PEST PROFESSIONALS, INC 2130 N. Dr. MLK Blvd.

765-288-7779 americanpestpros.com TownePost.com | April 2024 | 45

Pizza and Italian PIZZA KING pizzaking.com Muncie locations: 2425 South Macedonia 3403 E. Memorial Dr. 801 West Memorial Dr. 109 E. McGalliard 2905 E. Jackson 2901 E. Jackson (Take ’n Bake Store) 4101 N. Wheeling 1421 W. Bethel 214 S. Tillotson

Hydro-Jetting, Camera inspection, Sewer/Septic Install and Repairs ROOTERMAN OF MUNCIE 6204 E. Jackson 765-201-0771 office@muncierooter.com rooterman.com/greater-muncie

Plumbing, Sewer and Drain GREGORY’S SEWER & DRAIN CLEANING, LLC 765-282-8052

Storage Buildings THE BARN LOT 2410 E. 300 South 765-744-7396 thebarnlotsheds.com

Tattoo and Piercing Studios SIGNATURE ROSE PROFESSIONAL TATTOOING 1907 West Royale Drive 765-228-2842 booking@signaturerose.art signaturerose.art

46 | April 2024 | TownePost.com

Auto Repair and Tire Shop

Visitors Center and Gift Shop

MIDAS

DESTINATION: MUNCIE

1901 MLK Jr. Blvd.

765-288-8882 Munciemidas@yahoo.com midas.com

421 South Walnut Street, Ste. 100 765-284-2700 destinationmuncie.org

BALEDGE AUTO BODY

Windows and Doors

309 State Road 9, Alexandria 765-705-4560

TRUE CREW WINDOWS AND DOORS

Title Company YOUNG’S TITLE & ABSTRACT 3100 N. Oakwood Avenue 765-2881566 lmartin@youngstitle.com youngstitle.com

Tanning and RedLight Therapy JR’S TROPICAL TAN 618 E. Streeter Avenue 765-289-7575

1112 W. Centennial Ave. 765-273-7191 info@truecrewwindows.com truecrewwindows.com

Window Treatment BUDGET BLINDS OF MUNCIE 827 S. Tillotson Avenue 765-759-0521 Chris.Patterson@budgetblinds.com budgetblinds.com/Muncie_IN

HVAC and Plumbing

Travel Agencies CRUISE PLANNERS 765-273-3351 jerry@SmartTravel.Agency smarttravel.agency

JAKE’S HEATING, AIR & PLUMBING 536 W Main St., Knightstown 463-220-4447 jakeskeepsyoucool.com

HOOSIER BOOMERANG TRAVELERS 765-273-3351 hoosierboomerangtravelers.com

KRAMER

Insurance

Independent Agent

Kurt Kramer 765-896-8852

kurt@kramerinsuresit.com • kramerinsuresit.com 4533 N. Wheeling Ave. • Muncie, IN 47304

J.R’s Tropical Tan 618 E. Streeter Avenue Muncie, IN 47303 J.Rʼs tropical tan / facebook 765-289-7575 Open 7 days a week!

Creative Framing

Creative Framing SINCE 1989

Debra Rolli 765.744.7920 creativeframing@comcast.net www.yourcreativeframing.com

VISTA EVENTS

The Frame Shop Without the Shop

Vistaeventrentals.com 765.234.6880 | 866.383.6888 William and Karen Eason info@vistaeventrentals.com

Expert Alterations & Repairs

4 Locations | 765-288-1981

Expert preservation by

Your once in a lifetime gown should last a lifetime!

4 Muncie Locations 765-288-1981 www.voguecleaner.com

TUX

FREE

Shoes with Rental!

282-5322 4100 W. BETHEL AVE., MUNCIE INSIDE VOGUE CLEANERS, NEXT TO MANCINO’S

For Advertising Information, Contact: JEFF HERN JEFF@TOWNEPOST.COM (317) 796-0912

BUSINESS/GROUP HEALTH INSURANCE $$ GO DOWN? IF NOT CALL ME

JOE MORGAN | VP OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

(765) 293 - 8279 | JMORGAN@CLARKIG.COM

MARION | ALEXANDRIA | HARTFORD CITY