August 2008
Plainfield Cited for Affordability and Quality of Life
The Town of Plainfield has been getting plenty of attention lately, most recently earning accolades from Indianapolis Monthly magazine and the online edition of Money magazine. In its July 2008 issue, Indianapolis Monthly named Plainfield as one of the “Best of the Burbs”, while Money recently tagged the Town as number six in its “top 25” listing of communities with affordable housing.
The online Money article factored in median family income and housing prices to determine its list of growing cities where “residents who buy real estate…see their incomes go the furthest.” Among other citieshonored for affordable housing by the online magazine were Des Moines, Iowa; Omaha, Nebraska; Westerville, Ohio and Janesville, Wisconsin. Money singled out Plainfield for its industrial development and job creation, as well as its quality-of-life investments, such as the pedestrian bridge over White Lick Creek. It also presented data that highlighted Plainfield's family purchasing power, low auto insurance premiums, extraordinary job growth, and low property taxes. In fact, Plainfield's property tax rate was lower than nine of the ten communities cited as “Best Places to Live.” The Town also compared favorably in ratings for education, air quality, personal crime rate, and average commuting time.
In citing Plainfield as one of Indy's top suburbs, Indianapolis Monthly noted the Town's turnaround from the days when it was a “drive by town…a place you drove through, not to.” The magazine recognized Plainfield's Quaker heritage, but also touted its appeal as a commercial and residential alternative for families looking to escape crowded northside suburbs while staying close to Indy's downtown. Community destinations such as Metropolis Mall, Chateau Thomas Winery and Stone Creek Dining Company were also spotlighted.
Statistically, Plainfield compared very favorably to the other featured suburbs. For instance, Indianapolis Monthly, like Money, noted Plainfield's combination of higher median incomes and lower housing prices, while its comparison of educational statistics also revealed the benefits of growing up in Plainfield; the Town boasts high average SAT scores (1037) as well as ISTEP scores that rank significantly higher than many area communities. The magazine also reported that more than three of every four graduates of Plainfield High School go on to college.
Learn More At:
http://www.indianapolismonthly.com/article.aspx?id=24358
http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/moneymag/0807/gallery.bplive_affhomes.moneymag/6.html
Area Roadways Up for Adoption
A recently launched program will provide opportunities for local groups and organizations to give back to the community by keeping roadway areas free of debris. Patty Seymour, program manager, says the Adopt-a-Road (AAR) Program is modeled after similar INDOT (Indiana Department of Transportation) programs, and is designed to regularly rid clutter from major thoroughfares and transportation corridors. “It's a great opportunity,” Seymour says, “for local groups and civic organizations – even businesses – to show their pride by helping keep our community attractive to residents and visitors.” The program, which is part of the Town of Plainfield's Stormwater Quality Management Plan, is also intended to keep debris from entering area streams and waterways.
Program development began, says Seymour, when representatives of Plainfield High School's freshman class raised the idea as a way to give back to the community. They are now the first official program participants, and will periodically de-clutter Red Pride Drive, which leads to the new high school. Other groups wishing to adopt a roadway must commit to cleaning and maintaining both sides of the designated road or street for a period of at least two years. Adoptable roadways will average approximately 2 miles in length. Volunteers will gather and bag bottles, cans, and other debris; and the bags will be collected by Plainfield's Department of Public Works (DPW). The DPW will provide safety vests for enhanced visibility, as well as trash bags and gloves to be used.
After a few months, the Plainfield Street Department will produce signs to be installed along the roadway, providing recognition for the sponsoring organization. There is no cost to adopt a roadway, but to qualify for a posted adoption sign, the sponsor must agree to clean the adopted area at least four times per year. One such clean-up day will be coordinated with the community-wide clean-up each spring. Program participants must be at least 12 years old, with at least one person over age 21 supervising every ten youth aged 16 or younger. The organization must complete an application; and individual participants must also sign a waiver.
Seymour says she expects the program to expand first into commercial and industrial areas, with a goal of six or more adoptions by the end of the year. For more information about the program, contact Seymour at 839-3490 or by email at pseymour@town.plainfield.in.us.
