A comprehensive plan is a long-term planning document that outlines a community's vision for its future growth and development. It serves as a guide for decision-making on various aspects of the town, including land use, transportation, housing, economic development, etc.

Comprehensive plans are crucial in how local governments operate and make decisions. Here is a breakdown of their key uses:

• Guiding Development
  • Land Use Decisions: The comprehensive plan's recommendations are often the basis of zoning ordinances, development permits, and other land use regulations and decisions.
  • Infrastructure Projects: Plans for roads, sidewalks, trails, utilities, and other infrastructure are guided by the plan's vision for future growth and development patterns.
• Resource Allocation
  • Budgeting: The plan helps prioritize investments in areas like parks, community centers, and economic development initiatives that align with the community's goals.
  • Grant Applications: Comprehensive plans can strengthen grant applications by demonstrating a community's commitment to long-term planning and specific goals or projects.
• Community Engagement
  • Public Input: The planning process itself involves significant public input, fostering a sense of ownership and community involvement in the future of the Town.
  • Transparency and Accountability: The plan serves as a public document outlining the government's vision and approach to developing, and increasing transparency and accountability to residents.
• Economic Development
  • Attracting Businesses: A well-crafted plan can attract businesses and investments by showcasing a community's strengths and growth potential.
  • Job Creation: Economic development strategies outlined in the plan can help create jobs and improve the local economy.

Essentially, the comprehensive plan acts as a road map for the future of the town, guiding decision-making at all levels of government and ensuring that development is aligned with the community's vision and priorities.

In short, everyone! This plan involves anyone who lives, works, or visits the Town of Argos. We want to ensure your voice is included.

Direct involvement from local stakeholders and residents is central to developing a comprehensive plan. To ensure that the planning process goes smoothly, a team of steering committee members, made up of residents, business owners, and leaders of the community, meet regularly to provide feedback and guidance in the plan development process.

A Comprehensive Plan is developed in four phases.

Strategies:

• Review and amend the Zoning Ordinance to align with the vision of the Future Character Areas Map.
• Acquire additional industrial properties to expand the existing industrial park.
• Redevelop the Stevens property as residential development.
• Invest in necessary utility infrastructure improvements to support the current and future users and future development opportunities.
  • Develop a Master Utility Study to understand the systems' deficiencies and list of recommendations.
  • Develop a Utility Asset Management Plan to coordinate a schedule and budget for regular maintenance and major upgrades.
  • Create utility extension policies to support future development opportunities.
  • Work with developers to assist in funding infrastructure improvements necessary to accommodate new development.
• Conduct site studies on vacant or dilapidated properties and spaces to determine the feasibility of reusing or redeveloping sites to support new shops, eateries, or other local businesses.
• Educate the Town's Plan Commission and the Board of Zoning Appeals on the vision and goals of the Comprehensive Plan.
• Encourage new industries and businesses to first consider locating in targeted development and redevelopment areas, where adequate infrastructure exists.
• Increase business attraction to the Industrial Park by constructing shell buildings to better attract prospective industries, versus land available for development.
• Reevaluate the lifespan and boundaries of the current TIF districts and how to market for future development.

Strategies:

• Review and amend the Zoning Ordinance to add a downtown overlay district to align with the vision of the Future Character Areas Map.
• Create a Downtown Merchant Association to focus on revamping downtown buildings.
• Create a Downtown Master Plan to guide redevelopment efforts.
• Redevelop the downtown by attracting new growth.
  • Explore the opportunities to purchase downtown buildings when available.
  • Develop and publish an Available Property/Building Inventory.
  • Conduct site studies on vacant or dilapidated properties and spaces to determine the feasibility of reusing or redeveloping sites to support new shops, eateries, or other local businesses.
• Manage and market the Downtown Façade Grant Program and pursue Facade Improvement grants.
• Explore opportunities to utilize the Nickel Plate Square facility more often.
• Repurpose the Town's B & R Building.

Strategies:

• Explore the feasibility to add attainable housing options of single-family and multi-family residences in any feasible locations.
• Add age-restricted housing options for seniors.
• Create an inventory of vacant or blighted properties.
• Create and market a Home Repair and Preservation Program.
  • Pursue OCRA's Owner-Occupied Rehab Program and applicable Community Development Block Grant Programs on improving dilapidated homes.
• Support ACDC and local realtors to educate prospective homeowners on available programs, incentives, and financial assistance.
• Incentivize housing developers with tax abatements for the construction of new attainable housing options of single-family and multi-family residences to expand housing choice for all types of residents and age cohorts.

Strategies:

• Continue to support existing industrial businesses and add new businesses.
  • Conduct a survey of existing local businesses and industries to garner their challenges and needs to support their expansion or startup efforts.
  • Develop a business strategy guide for potential new business owners and entrepreneurs who ask about starting a business.
  • Establish a mentorship program as a resource to business owners starting a new business, understanding how businesses can thrive or survive.
• Pursue advertising or marketing efforts to promote Argos regionally.
• Partner with Argos Community Schools and local businesses to offer trades courses.
• Partner with MCEDC and SBERP to develop a Marshall County entrepreneurship program to guide new business owners through the startup process and grow.
• Partner with MCEDC and SBERP to create a list of available sites for development, to identify targeted industry sectors, to create a marketing strategy, and to prepare an incentives package to offer for business development and recruitment.

Strategies:

• Create a Trails and Sidewalk Master Plan to identify routes to parks, the school, downtown, and healthcare services, and to guide long-term maintenance and upkeep.
  • Add lighting, benches, bicycle racks, and trash receptacles on trails.
• Continue to conduct a Trails Feasibility Study to implement the Trails Master Plan by designing and engineering the trails network.
• Create Trails Maintenance and Sidewalk Maintenance Plans to coordinate with the Town's Utility Department.
• Add sidewalks where gaps exist to improve safe, continuous connections between parks, neighborhoods, and community amenities.
• Pursue federal and state grants to help offset the construction costs for trails or sidewalks.
• Establish incentives to encourage developers to incorporate trails and sidewalks in their site plans to help fill gaps.

Strategies:

• Enhance the accessibility to the industrial parks to ensure businesses have direct connections to US 31.
• Ensure the US 31 and SR 10 area is accessible and safe for all users.
• Develop an Argos Gateway Plan that seeks to enhance the attractiveness of the entrances on major corridors, i.e., US 31, SR 10, and Michigan Street, by adding the Town's name on the new overpass or welcome signs.
• Continue to update and implement the Road Asset Management Plan to prioritize road improvements and eligibility for grant opportunities.
• Continue to pursue Community Crossings Match Grant monies to improve road segments identified in the Road Asset Management Plan.
• Continue to update and implement the ADA Transition Plan to prioritize sidewalk and curb ramp improvements.

Strategies:

• Conduct a Transportation Assessment Study to establish a customer base, their needs, and destinations.
• Create a Ride Share Program.

Strategies:

• Partner with RTC to expand public wi-fi.
• Market access to the town's high-speed internet on all town mailings, print, and advertising.

Strategies:

• Create annual tournaments or sports clubs for recreational events to activate parks and engage residents of all ages.
• Continue to update and implement the Parks Master Plan by applying for recreational grants and crowdsource fundraising to maintain parks and upgrade playground equipment.
  • Expand Community Park onto the newly acquired park property, including amenities and community gathering spaces based on public input.
  • Install signage, banners, and storyboards in parks and public spaces explaining park names, significant local events, and historic sites.
  • Hire or designate a Recreation/Program Coordinator (potentially combined with the Event Coordinator role) to plan, promote, and manage year-round recreational programming for all ages.
  • Explore the feasibility of hiring a full-time Parks Coordinator.
  • Hire or contract an Event Coordinator under the Parks Board to organize year-round programming, coordinate with youth sports, the Fire Department, disc golf groups, and other community partners, and manage promotion of events.
• Continue the efforts and grow Argos’ festivals and community events, as well as encourage neighborhood-based activities.

Strategies:

• Organize a Volunteer Committee to create and manage volunteer programs, i.e, "Friends of the Park," staffing, and events, i.e., a Community Involvement Day, park cleanup days, and landscaping/planting days.
• Use the Town’s app as a centralized communication hub to share volunteer opportunities, events, and community news.
• Explore opportunities and provide support for youth to serve in community leadership capacities.

Strategies:

• Partner with the Marshall County Historical Society and regional arts organizations to host educational events, guided history walks, add exhibits, and storytelling programs to highlight Argos' story.
• Coordinate with countywide cultural and heritage organizations to ensure Argos is included in regional programs, tours, and promotional materials.

Strategies:

• Identify and recruit essential healthcare and wellness services not currently available in Argos by minimizing barriers to locating and operating in the community.
• Partner with Woodlawn Hospital to explore opportunities to attract specialty healthcare providers (doctors, specialists, technicians, and nurse practitioners) or other related healthcare facilities.

Strategy:

• Partner with Argos Community Schools to create shared-use agreements allowing adult and community recreation programs—such as open gyms, indoor walking, adult leagues, and fitness classes—in school facilities.