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i TRENDS industrial land. Property owners with land located in flood- he Census estimates the population of Batesville prone areas should understand its development limitations. reached 9,577 people in 2006. Batesville has grown While not suitable for most purposes, it may be suited for steadily over the past 15 years. limited recreational uses. In 2000,manufacturing and educational, health, and social Experiences with flooding in the early summer of 2008 services industries employed a majority of Batesville reminded residents and public officials of the need to restrict development in the flood plain and abide by the prohibition workers.The city is a regional employment center with a daytime population increase of 74.6 percent generated by the against building in the flood way. daily commuting of 7,050 people. Downtown Batesville leads in educational attainment and incomes. In Downtown Batesville is an important asset to the city for its 2000,77.6 percent of Batesville residents had graduated high history, charm, and the center of governmental activities. It school and 21.8 percent had received a bachelor's degree will never serve again as the dominant retail center of the or higher.These percentages are higher than the county city and must reframe itself in a different form, such as a and state averages. In 2000,the median family income in regional entertainment center. Batesville was also higher than the county and state averages at$42,634. There are not enough homes within walking distance to support major retail businesses,and therefore downtown ISSUES businesses face the problem of dependence upon automobiles. This, in turn,creates problems with parking, a he issues discussed herein grew from a number of concern downtowns were not designed to handle. sources. For the main part,they reflect the work of Some of the older buildings around the edge of downtown two city-wide design meetings. At these meetings, are deteriorated and dont add to the overall image.These local citizens gathered to work around tables with maps and drawing equipment to"plan"their community. From this could be redeveloped as parking and as uses that would effort,the professional planners gathered understanding of support and enhance the downtown experience. community issues and ideas with which to address them. Trails Cities in America were largely given over to the Mazza- _ - automobiles in the last half of the 20th century.This 4 resulted in communities that are not particularly friendly or accommodating to pedestrian or bicycle traffic. This, in turn, has contributed to the overall increase in obesity and other diseases connected with lack of physical activity. Participants in the design charrettes consistently emphasized the need for sidewalk and trail systems to counter these problems. Future transportation planning should include considerations for pedestrian and bicycling systems. Recreation charrette participants pian the future of their community. Recreational facilities can greatly influence a community's quality of life and its ability to attract new jobs,tourists,and Infrastructure modern retirees. Batesville residents believe the existing The greatest need in any city is the requirement to fix recreational system could be reorganized and expanded. the basics.Without proper infrastructure, quality living conditions, overall safety, and other basic needs,the long- For example,residents want a centralized sports complex. term success of other improvement projects will be limited. This complex coupled with smaller neighborhood parks, In Batesville,improving the wastewater system represents playgrounds, and trails will help build a comprehensive, the absolute top priority. The current treatment system is functional system. out of compliance and,until this is remedied, few other plan elements can be effectively addressed. The Poke Bayou and riverfront areas also possess untapped potential as recreational attractions. Citizens recommend Flood Control developing these areas with parks,trails,boat rentals, small Adequate flood protection is also critical in a city such as lakes, retail shops,and entertainment venues to better Batesville.While the location of the city on the White River utilize this resource. Citizens also recommend using flood- creates a number of recreational possibilities, it also limits prone areas for water impoundments to create fishing and the amount of land suitable for residential, commercial, and recreational lakes. Page 2 . I OWN