The Town of Argos hopes to fix dilapidated buildings, promote active transportation, and revitalize its downtown, all while maintaining its small-town values over the next decade. The town is putting the finishing touches on its 2030 Comprehensive Plan. It focuses on four core values: encouraging balanced growth, promoting economic prosperity and vitality, enhanced quality of life, and expanding transportation choices.
One of the plan’s goals is to upgrade the town’s housing. It points out that most homes were built before 1980 and have fallen into disrepair. To make the necessary upgrades, the plan suggests that the town work with the Marshall County Building Department to step up code enforcement efforts, potentially using state and federal funds to help homeowners make improvements. School and community groups, such as Habitat for Humanity, could also be involved in the process, according to the plan.
From an economic development standpoint, the comprehensive plan calls for the construction of a shell building to help attract new industry. Various suggestions are also made for revitalizing Downtown Argos, including applying for a Main Street designation from the state. Additionally, the plan also allows for the addition of a strip mall or other commercial facility in the area of U.S. 31 and State Road 10.
Non-motorized transportation is another focus of the comprehensive plan, which calls for the continued construction of shared-use trails throughout the town and the addition of a signed bike route on Michigan Street. Safe Routes to School initiatives, such as “walking school buses” are another way the plan hopes to encourage a variety of transportation options. It also calls for a separate master plan to be created specifically for bike and pedestrian facilities.
In addition to places to live and work, the comprehensive plan also tries to make sure there are things to do in Argos. For example, the town can work with the Marshall County Fair Board to use the 4-H Fairgrounds for additional events. A community center may also be established in the town, along with various pieces of public art.
However, in order to implement the town’s comprehensive plan, Argos needs to have an active plan commission to implement it. The plan points out that the commission doesn’t always meet on a regular business, since there hasn’t been much for it to do.
The Argos 2030 Comprehensive Plan was put together by a steering committee made up of residents, community leaders, and town officials, with the help of the Michiana Area Council of Governments. Committee members presented a draft of the plan to the public last week. The draft plan can be viewed on the town’s website.
