By JP Hall—
MUNCIE, IN—As the Muncie Action Plan (MAP) looks back on a productive year, we are excited to reflect on our continued efforts to enhance the quality of life in Muncie and Delaware County. We invite the community to join us for our Annual Report to the Community, taking place Wednesday, January 28, at 6:00 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room at Ivy Tech.
During this gathering, each of MAP’s four task forces will present their accomplishments and progress from 2025 and their goals and aspirations for 2026. This article marks the second in a series of updates from our dedicated task force leaders, highlighting the impact of MAP’s initiatives and the power of collaboration across our community.
Muncie Action Plan’s Task Force 2: Downtown Muncie
Task Force 2 remains focused on the continued revitalization of Downtown Muncie as a vibrant, inclusive, and economically resilient heart of the community. In 2025, Task Force 2 advanced this work by strengthening coordination among downtown stakeholders, aligning ongoing initiatives with long-term planning efforts, and laying the groundwork for implementation of the TogetherDM Plan. Our emphasis has been on creating shared understanding – connecting public, private, nonprofit, and educational partners around a common vision for downtown that balances economic development, historic character, and quality of life.
A major focus of 2025 was preparation: assessing existing conditions, identifying gaps in policy and infrastructure, and organizing the partnerships and information needed to move from planning to action. While Task Force 2 is not leading the Creative Space Action Plan, we have worked to remain aligned with its goals – particularly where arts, culture, and creative enterprise intersect with downtown revitalization. The Creative Space Action Plan is facilitated by the Community Foundation of Muncie & Delaware County. Task Force 2 has also remained attentive to downtown activation tools, including the City’s approval of a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area (DORA) downtown, recognizing its role in supporting street-level activity and enhancing the overall downtown experience when coordinated with broader planning efforts.
Downtown also benefited in 2025 from continued engagement by Ball State University programs working in and around the urban core. Architecture students from Kevin Klinger’s iMADE class at the Ball State University College of Architecture and Planning explored arts- and culture-related themes in downtown Muncie as part of their studio work, using places such as MadJax Muncie, nearby streets, and public spaces as learning environments. Complementing this studio work, the Center for Historic Preservation produced several applied studies in 2025 that support downtown revitalization efforts, including a Downtown Housing Pattern Book, a façade study for 306 Walnut Street, and a Creative Corridor Connectivity Study. Together, these efforts contributed research, precedent analysis, and practical frameworks that help inform implementation of the TogetherDM Plan. This academic engagement aligns with the university’s broader ECAP Downtown effort and ensures that design and planning conversations are grounded in historic context and place-based understanding.
Looking ahead to 2026, Task Force 2 will continue shifting toward implementation – supporting pilot efforts, advancing policy conversations, and strengthening coordination among partners invested in downtown Muncie. By focusing on collaboration, transparency, and long-term stewardship, Task Force 2 aims to help downtown evolve in ways that are economically viable, socially connected, and grounded in the character and history that make Muncie unique.
Join us on January 28 at 6:00 p.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room at Ivy Tech downtown to hear about the impactful initiatives underway across all four MAP task forces.
