JASPER — The people of Jasper and guests celebrated the completion of phase one of the revitalization of downtown Jasper Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, with speeches, a ribbon-cutting and a community event.
Jasper Mayor Dean Vonderheide addressed a congratulatory crowd Friday while standing in front of Jasper County Courthouse on one of the newly paved streets.
“What a day,” Vonderheide said.
State and federal representatives also convened on the affair, including Sen. Mike Braun, Congressman Larry Buschon’s representative Donna Lashley and State Sen. Mark Messmer.
Vonderheide thanks all citizens of Dubois County for their tolerance while construction was underway, as the city addressed the infrastructure problems around the county courthouse. He also thanked citizens for continuing their support of retail shops around the square.
Waterlines were installed in the 1920s, with waterlines identified by city utility department in 2013 as at the end of their useful life, Vonderheide explained to the gathered crowd. Sanitization was installed in the early 1940s, he continued. With storm water infrastructure inadequate and failing in the early 2000s, the issues needed to be addressed. New sidewalks and roads were in need of replacement, with American Disability Act compliance not up to date.
City council was presented a plan May 17, 2017. In August 2019, the Impact Jasper Comprehensive Plan identified the courthouse project as the top priority. September 2020, council created the plan in phases, with phase one as the courthouse square; phase two is Mainstreet, from Third to Fifth and Seventh to Ninth streets, with plans underway and completion planned for 2024.
Many key players worked to make this happen, Vonderheide said.
Keeping the flow to the downtown area couldn’t have happened without a lot of help, Vonderheide continued. The city and county departments, whether legal, street or electric departments, county engineers, they all pulled together to make this project a success, he said.
Downtown merchants, Vonderheide thanked for keeping their stores open during construction. County Chamber of Commerce gave much assistance, helping promote during trying times, he said. The Heart of Jasper contributing to the downtown, specifically the alleys, beautifying with murals and the like. Community Foundation played a role gaining donations for four gathering spots around the square.
Donors were critical, Vonderheide said, thanking them all for their contributions.
“We’re much better off working together than apart,” Vonderheide said. “I’m really proud of this moment.”
Vonderheide introduced Jim Seibert, who spoke on behalf of Greater Downtown Jasper. Seibert explained he’s been going to downtown merchant meetings for 50 years, where he’s seen many good things happen.
Seibert’s history goes back to the 1970s, he said, when city community development leaned into the city’s German heritage, starting Strassenfest and connecting with German sister city, Pfaffenweiler.
Seibert has seen many development projects over the decades, celebrating them along the way. He is proud of Vonderheide, city council and previous mayor Terry Seitz who all worked to revitalize the square.
Dubois County Community Foundation Executive Director Clayton Boyles spoke to the crowd, saying he is also a partner in the revitalization project. Revitalizations really improve the quality of place, Boyles said, improving local community and economy.
The foundation helped with support, raising $2.5 million from local donors. The donations went to four local gathering spaces on the square, including swings, seating, a fire pit and outdoor café seating. The foundation plans to erect a concrete slab noting the individual donors.
Beautification and enrichment will be supported by an endowment to provide maintenance and upkeep, Boyles reported.
“Philanthropy is a powerful force in building a strong and sustainable community,” Boyles said.
A Celebrate the Square event followed the ribbon cutting. Heart of Jasper Director Kate Schwenk explained the celebration was full of food, drinks, bands, games and the opportunity to explore the newly revitalized square.
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