Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter gave his State of The City Address to the Common Council Monday night. This year’s theme was “Part of the Plan,” as it relates to the city’s updated comprehensive plan.
Mayor Senter highlighted several aspects of city work including the creation of a logo and tag line in 2014 for the community, the new entrance signs to the city in 2015, the addition of billboards in 2016, and this year wayfinding signs. “All part of the plan.”
Another highlight was the $1.1 million spent last year with the help of a Community Crossings Grant to improve streets, sidewalks and curbing. The explosion of the park system was noted with the addition of two new park, the all-inclusive playground and in the near future the opening of the Mary Beth Hunter Tennis Complex along with phase II of the Greenway Trail. “All part of the plan.”
A new position was created in this year’s budget, the Promotion of the City Coordinator. In just two months Laura Mann has been promoting the city on social media is currently working on resurrecting the Latino Festival for the last Saturday in September. “All part of the plan.”
Mayor Senter spoke of the strong economic foundation saying, “Our current economic conditions in this city I believe are excellent.” He said, “We are going through some trying times with big box stores closing without much notice. Hibbetts, Hallmark and MC Sports have closed and there is a possibility that JC Penney’s could be next.” He blamed the “modern day trend of internet shopping.” The mayor also brought Pretzels Inc. to town with the help of the MCEDC saying, “approximately 130 workers preparing to get that business up and cooking by the middle of March.” Local economics will also see the creation of a 44,000 square foot building in the Tech Park with the recent sale of property to Culver Tool. “A part of the plan.”
Economic Development isn’t just industrial. Mayor Senter spoke of the Pioneer Drive area with the new Love’s truck Stop, the INDOT sub-station and the creation of a “sports mecca” with the Zone Sports Complex that opened late summer 2015 and the Regional Cities project with the Rick Miller family to create a 100,000 square foot soccer complex and Aquatics Center. He said, “with tennis, soccer, swimming, basketball and volleyball, Plymouth could be one of the newest hubs for AAU sports. “Part of the plan.”
Mayor Senter commented on the designation of being a Mainstreet Community with the creation of Discover Plymouth. He also is looking forward to the Rees Theater project with Wythougan. The mayor said, “I love the idea of downtown Plymouth becoming an arts and entertainment destiny. We have a great beginning with Wild Rose Moon, Encore, heartland Artists, and the city’s Friday concerts in River Park Square.” “Part of the plan.”
Mayor Senter closed his comments by saying, “We are on the right track…we have planned well…we have followed the plan to a degree… but there is more work to do. ‘Dr. Gramme Edwards once said, It’s not the plan that’s important…it’s the planning.’ That means we have to keep at it. The plan is in place….let’s keep planning to make Plymouth a better place for all or our citizens.”
