Strengthening Neighborhoods
Building Better Neighborhoods providing support, leadership for Muncie neighborhood associations.
Without the support of the City of Muncie, Ball State University would not be where it is today. So, supporting local communities is one of the ways the University gives back.
Building Better Neighborhoods (BBN), with the help of a $200,000 grant from the Ball Brothers Foundation, was created in 2014 to partner with the Muncie Action Plan (MAP). The aptly named organization does what it promises. Supporting neighborhood associations across the city, allocating Ball State resources to help, and involving Muncie’s nonprofit sector in neighborhood development are just a few of BBN’s objectives in support of MAP.
With the assistance of Heather Williams, ’04, associate director in the Office of Community Engagement and program manager of Building Better Neighborhoods at Ball State, Muncie has increased from 11 active neighborhood associations to 28 since the establishment of BBN. And the Building Better Neighborhoods initiative is constantly working to build more.
“There are many neighborhoods just now forming a board, writing articles of incorporation and bylaws to access new funding available,” Ms. Williams said. “There’s a huge difference between the long-standing neighborhoods that already existed and the ones that are now forming, and it’s an exciting experience.”
The City of Muncie recently allocated MAP $1 million for Muncie’s neighborhoods through financing from the American Rescue Plan (ARP), adding to the urgency of establishing neighborhood associations and having them ready. Because it is federal funding, there are strict guidelines to access the money, and the funds must be distributed by the end of 2024. Ms. Williams and BBN have been instrumental in the effort to organize neighborhood associations and strategize ways to use the funding to meet the needs of the residents.
“We’ve got several applications in the pipeline. We have to have every eligible neighborhood apply, have their application approved, and have their funding allocated by the deadline,” said Ms. Williams. “Neighborhoods normally work with a budget of maybe $1,000 to $2,000 a year to run some small events; they might do a cookout or bring chili to their cleanup (for example). Now, they have the opportunity to have access to $100,000. It’s a huge shift.”
Even before this special funding was available, there were many improvement projects in Muncie’s 48 established neighborhoods. Along with other neighborhood revitalization organizations like the 8Twelve coalition, Ms. Williams assists in finding creative ways to connect Ball State faculty and students with local improvement projects. BBN’s immersive learning projects have focused on improving Muncie neighborhoods, including action plans and beautification endeavors.
One of the more notable projects was in the Thomas Park/Avondale area in Muncie. The Maring-Hunt Community Garden project was expanded and greatly improved upon by Ball State’s Architecture students—who created multiple pavilions and added raised planters, a potter’s bench and sink, an outdoor kitchen, a play space for kids, and more—helping to provide the neighborhood with fresh produce and inviting community spaces.
Every community has a unique culture and needs. With the goal of identifying those individual needs, BBN initiatives have positively impacted neighborhoods by strengthening ties among neighbors, enhancing safety, and giving residents a greater sense of empowerment.
Studio 165+—an immersive design studio in Ball State’s School of Art—worked with 12 neighborhoods to help create their visual identities, improve their image, and instill a sense of pride among residents. Students researched each community to identify distinctive core features and characteristics, incorporating those unique features to create logo designs that represented each neighborhood as a community brand. Studio 165+ is led by Shantanu Suman, associate professor of Art, in collaboration with BBN.
These award-winning logos are on signs and planters in each neighborhood. Students also created brochures for each community that serve as information guides and promote the areas.
Students of Kevin Klinger, associate professor of Architecture, have been working on a substructure for murals along Hoyt Avenue to beautify that entry into Muncie. The area is one of the main thoroughfares into the city from Indianapolis.
“The look and feel of that neighborhood has transformed,” said Ms. Williams. “There’s been sidewalk and curb work, a new corner market, and a coffee shop has recently opened. There is so much going on and a lot of enthusiasm and excitement in that area.”
Ms. Williams attributes many of these successes to the many dedicated faculty in departments across campus, numerous non-profit partners, and the neighborhood residents that have supported the work of the 8twelve Coalition.
“You’ve got faculty members that come back year after year and will apply for more funds to help support these projects, championing the work of the neighborhoods,” she said. “These faculty members care deeply about the community, and I’m thankful to have the opportunity to work alongside them.”
