The Indiana Chapter of the American Planning Association has given our Planning + Economic Development Group three prestigious planning awards. Two plans won the top award in their category and a third plan received an honorable mention. These awards are a big step forward in recognizing the talent and expertise of our entire group. Congrats to all who contributed to producing these award-winning plans. Here are details about each award.

• American Structurepoint received the Outstanding Transportation Planning Award for the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority Comprehensive Strategic Plan. This massive 236-page plan provides a detailed road map for commuter rail expansion and related economic development over a 30-year period for eight new rail stations on the West Lake Corridor and South Shore commuter rail lines in Hammond, Munster, and Dyer.
• The company received the Outstanding Urban Design Award for the Lawrenceburg Riverfront Master Plan. This plan focuses on the 2.37 miles of the Ohio River that serves as a catalyst for development while respecting and improving the environment and building on the local culture and history. The plan’s recommendations center on using Lawrenceburg’s historic downtown and the river corridor as a stimulus for creating new types of public spaces, providing connections to the waterfront, and bringing new private development to the community.
• American Structurepoint received an honorable mention for the Outreach and Communication Award for the Union City Strategic Investment Plan. The plan was submitted as part of Union City’s Stellar Communities finalist application. Although Union City was not designated a Stellar Community, the Strategic Investment Plan will be a valuable tool for pursuing future projects. Our outreach included a Facebook page, a YouTube video about the city, an online community survey, public open houses, community-organized events, ads and articles in the local news media, billboards, and T-shirts. Overall, the project was very successful with gathering community buy-in and sparking excitement for future community development projects within Union City.