What does Ferdinand’s future hold?

They came.

They listened.

They suggested.

Around 20 people gathered at the Tri-County YMCA in Ferdinand Monday night, to discuss Ferdinand’s future and to provide a bit more form and function to the town’s Comprehensive Plan.

For the first time in recent memory, members of the Town Council, Plan Commission, Board of Zoning Appeals, Economic Development Commission, Park Board and the Town Manager were joined by concerned citizens to put their heads together and envision what is possible, probable and doable in this 176-year-old community.

The current plan is several years old and most of the items from that document have been completed. Prior to the start of the session, Town Council President Ken Sicard went through a lengthy list of community improvements completed in just the past year alone.

Kathy Kleindorfer, from Evansville, reviewed suggestions made during three community sessions last year, including ideas from high school students, business professionals and the general public, and then asked for input on what should and shouldn’t be included in the updated plan.

Some items were no-brainers — such as improvements to the high school (a salad bar, better lunch, chemistry lab and a new paint color for the walls — “no warm biscuit”) which falls under the auspices of the Southeast School Corporation, not the town.

Others, like adding a health food store or small pet shop, as well as the many suggestions for chain restaurants, would come from private enterprise, not local government.

But there were gray areas too.

Adding an Urgent Care Facility is not something the town per se can do, but elected officials could work with industrial leaders and approach Memorial or another hospital to plead the case and highlight the need.

Much was discussed in the two and a half hour session, some of it emphasizing what is already known.

Resident Kevin Buechler noted he will marry in a month and a half and could only find one home for sale in Ferdinand so consequently, he and his new wife will have to live elsewhere.

Two members of the Economic Development Commission, seated just down the row from Buechler, turned to each other and smiled.

Dan Collignon and Brian Dale have been working for over a year to try and encourage developers to share what it will take to build needed housing in Ferdinand. They hope to come up with a feasible plan to present to the town council, making the town more appealing for developers. Land is available, both asserted, and Ferdinand’s building requirements pretty much mirror neighboring communities but finding interest in local builders/developers has been
difficult. It appears the cost of land and infrastructure has been a deterrent.

Probably the most excitement centered around aesthetics.

Resident Stephanie Flowers presented ideas for murals and also artwork in crosswalks to make the vista more inviting. These ideas gained some traction as the conversation continued.

Matt Weyer, who, like Flowers, lived elsewhere for several years before moving back to Ferdinand, said it would be nice to have a “town square” or “town center” of sorts, “a place to rally around and converge. A place to gather,
meet for coffee, or when we win a sectional.”

Councilwoman Debbie Johnson commented, “That’s where a pop-up stage [an idea from one of the earlier sessions] could go. I haven’t given up on that.”

While no actual “site” for a town center was identified, Johnson elaborated on another idea. A community swimming pool made the list multiple times. Tri-County YMCA Executive Director and Park Board President Mike Steffe noted last he checked, a pool would cost around $3.5 million with annual maintenance (not including life guards or other employees) topping $150,000.

In other words, probably not doable.

However, Johnson suggested that instead of a pool, building a splash park might be feasible, maybe something comparable to the one gracing the riverfront in Owensboro — an aquatic playground (which could go in an existing park or that town center Weyer envisions).

Sidewalks were also a huge topic, as they have been for a number of years. This has been a situation where the town council is willing, but the dollar — as in enough dollars to make a change — is weak.

Johnson said when she joined the council, sidewalk improvement was her number one priority, but the actual logistics — not just of funding but of land acquisition and existing topography — are impediments.

Quite a bit of time was also spent discussing the lack of diversity among the populace and how to encourage and engage new residents to make them feel welcome and connected.

Kleindorfer made an action card for each item discussed, placing it under the appropriate category. Categories included community character, recreational and cultural opportunities, economic development, promotion and
marketing, community development, housing, local government and land use.

As to the latter, Steffe said the Park Board is in the throes of developing an extensive plan for a recreational site at the Old Town Lake, including a walking trail, shelter house, fishing pier and other as yet undetermined amenities.

But categories like community character garnered mixed ideas. On one hand, the desire to attract box stores and chain restaurants was prevalent, while others want Ferdinand’s to retain its charm and Bavarian appeal.

Then there is the desire by some to attract lots of new businesses and the fear by owners of existing businesses or properties they will lose their patrons.

In the end, Kleindorfer said she was very impressed with the broad ideas from such a divergent group. She will take all the comments and compile them into the basis for the next five-year comprehensive plan.

These will be gone over with a fine tooth comb — again — to write the final document.

Some suggestions will be kept on a back burner as they won’t be possible in the next five or even 10 years. But they won’t be lost. Kleindorfer noted that out of sight is out of mind, so carrying ideas forward puts the prize front and center (so to speak).

Johnson told the audience, “It’s refreshing to hear from everyone. We talk among ourselves.”

But this was an opportunity to hear from others, including community members who were there to help shape the future.