The Commons provides unlimited possibilities for downtown Washington
As part of a downtown revitalization goal, the city of Washington, Ind., wanted to create a green space as a place for residents and visitors to gather as well as a destination for local events.
With the help of the county to procure the land and funding, The Commons project was completed in the fall of 2024 after approximately two and a half years of planning, design and construction. The city held a well-attended ribbon cutting event in the fall, and officials are excited for all the possibilities 2025 will bring for the space.
Mayor David Rhoads had the idea to create a half-block green space to help revitalize downtown Washington. He spoke with the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation and visited other cities to see similar projects and ask which developers they had used. Then he set up a meeting to brainstorm ideas with the developer.
“We didn’t know a lot at the time,” he admitted. “We just wanted an outdoor space to draw people downtown.”
A pavilion and stage area for outdoor events were the two ideas the city had in mind for the space. After laying out their thoughts, the developer came up with a design.
The project was projected to take nine to 12 months but the design for the park changed multiple times. The entire project ended up taking approximately two and a half years.
After the design phase was complete, the project was put out to bid. The Economic Development Corporation owned a property downtown, and it was agreed that it would be the location of the park.
The project began to grow. Originally, it was planned to take up a quarter of a block, which then became three quarters of a block. Once it was complete, the EDC gifted the property over to the city and purchased another property that further expanded the project. The Commons is now right in the center of the five blocks that make up Main Street. What began as a plan for a $1.2 million project ended as a $3.6 million project.
Funding from Regional Opportunity Initiatives was utilized early on for two environmental studies. Previously, the land had been home to an old automotive store with gas pumps, so remediation was necessary.
Additional funding for the project was gathered from local funds; no grants were obtained. The city and county contributed, as well as local businesses, and individuals partnered to provide funding.
The bid was given to a local engineering company and excavating company. The only company outside of Daviess County that was used was the company that completed the original design.
The project took longer than expected also due to certain timing issues. Working with other agencies to remove telephone poles from the center of the greenspace and install water and sewer lines took longer than expected. Remediation was another delay.
While the city had planned on one pavilion, it ended up with two, one at each end of the park. There is a large green space in front of each stage. The first stage’s size was doubled from the original plan and is 40 feet wide and 20 to 30 feet deep, covered and with a dressing area in the back. There is a small parking lot, and pavers are in the parking lot with eight spaces wired to make it easy for vendors to set up .
There are benches and sidewalks throughout the park connecting to everything, as well as public restrooms.
A groundbreaking for The Commons took place with a local band performing. Throughout the year, the new park also hosted a farmer’s market in the market pavilion.
Washington is in the process of getting a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area application completed. The city had to write an ordinance for the application, which is almost complete. The plan is for the DORA to surround The Commons.
“Previously, when we had an event downtown, we had to shut down streets,” Rhoads said. “This will prevent that. We’re looking forward to getting some bigger bands and the possibility of hosting the downtown community concert series. We started out with just a thought and an idea and watched it grow, and it turned into exactly what it was supposed to be. The sky’s the limit on what can be done down there this year.”
The sentiment for unlimited use of the park is echoed by Bob Grewe, Daviess County Economic Development Corporation executive director.
“Part of it is that the design is so unique, with being able to do multiple things at the same time without being affected by the other things,” he commented. “The public and private partnership was a big deal being able to get participation from everyone.”
The city received assistance from the Economic Development Corporation on this $3.6 million project. It is a unique design with infinite future possibilities for the city. The city also is in the process of creating the ordinance and application necessary to be granted a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area surrounding the Commons. (Photo provided by the city of Washington, Ind.) The Washington, Ind., Commons was created as a greenspace downtown revitalization project to provide a gathering place for residents and visitors. It was recently completed in fall 2024. (Photo provided by the city of Washington, Ind.) The Commons grew from an original design to take up a quarter of a block to taking up three quarters of a block right along Main Street downtown. The space includes a greenspace in front of a stage that can be used for concerts and events. There are also multiple pavilions that can be used for personal or business events, city events, including the farmer’s market, and an outdoor space to eat lunch. (Photo provided by the city of Washington, Ind.)
