Judy Kramer
County Reporter
The West Central Association of REALTORS (WCAR) has a $5,000 grant from the National Association of Realtors to use for a Placemaking project in Warsaw. The project will be considered next week for approval by the City. If approved, the project will be called Light Plant Park and will be on a triangle of land within local walking trails.
“We want to put in some benches, and are looking at some free libraries, a pet waste container and just whatever the city needs,” said Monica Thacker, Association Executive for WCAR. “This park will offer a place to rest while walking or riding bikes through the trails. The grant was approved for this project last August and we are working with the City of Warsaw to see what part they want WCAR to play in our partnership.”
Placemaking grants are available to state and local REALTOR Associations to help fund lighter, quicker, cheaper placemaking projects in their communities. These projects can be built in under one year. They can be used to create community gathering places, attract residents and visitors, bring life to downtowns, support walkable communities, and preserve open and green spaces. The site used for a Placemaking Grant must be on public land and must be outdoors. The site must be accessible to everyone, and the site should not charge admission.
The purpose of the grant is to create small “gems” throughout a community.
Thacker said that WCAR can get a lot of other grants for communities including those for Smart Growth. Different communities served by WCAR are surveyed and are partnered with to provide growth management. Some examples of Smart Growth are taking advantage of compact building design, creating a range of housing opportunities and choices, creating walkable neighborhoods, fostering distinctive, attractive communities with a strong sense of place and preserving open space, farmland, natural beauty and critical environmental areas.
