ELEVATE DOWNTOWN!
PHASE 2 - IN PROGRESS
Donations made to Bluffton NOW! from now until December 15 will count toward a $1-for-$1 match, thanks to the Indiana Housing and Community Development Agency's Creating Places Grant! Donate online via the link above or by check to Bluffton NOW!, 211 Water St., Bluffton, IN 46714. Donations are tax-deductible.
Phase 2 of the Downtown Pathways Project is the completion of Alley 3. Alley 3 is the alleyway next to the Wells County Foundation, Inc. building on the south side of the 200 W. Block of Market St. It also includes adding seating, art improvements, sidewalk improvements, and security cameras in the Phase 1 and Phase 2 alleyways. We are currently fundraising for Phase 2. We have been awarded $100,000 by Eli Lilly for this project. CLICK HERE to learn more about Phase 1. CLICK HERE to learn more about Phase 3.
We are currently engaging with Engineering Resources and Design Collaborative to redesign the Alley 3 space in collaboration with neighboring building owners and stakeholders.
Phase 2 Budget
Marketing $2,500.00
Design / Management $21,800.00
Alley 3 - Construction $219,050.00
Alley 3 - Construction Contingency $54,763.00
Art $36,250.00
Seating $20,000.00
Security Cameras $6,937.00
Sidewalk Repairs $40,000.00
Misc $4,382.00
Total Phase 2 Budget $405,682.00
Fundraising
GOAL $405,682.00
City of Bluffton $10,000.00
Private $93,282.00
Lilly Grant $100,000.00
Patronicity $47,000.00 * Applying
Foundation Grant $50,000.00 * Requested
City of Bluffton $50,000.00 * Requested
To Be Fundraised $53,000.00
TIMELINE
NOW: We have currently engaged Engineering Resources and Design Collaborative to complete a redesign of the space, along with the neighboring building owners and stakeholders. We are also working with Wells County Creative Arts, the City of Bluffton, and Indiana University in a collaborative effort to help steer the art portion of this project.
Construction: We hope to begin construction and installation in January of 2027.
Project Completion: We hope to complete this project by December of 2027.
HOW CAN YOU HELP
1. Share this project with your friends and family
2. Share about this project on social media. Follow Bluffton NOW! on Facebook and Instagram to learn more about the project and stay current on fundraising efforts.
3. Contribute financially towards the project
Thanks to the IHCDA's Creating Places Grant Program, powered by Patronicity, we are excited to offer a $1 for $1 matching opportunity to go towards the Elevate Downtown - Downtown Pathways Project - Phase 2. Contributions are due by December 15, 2026.
Donation Levels:
$50 Pathway Partner
$100 Community Builder - Receives Personalized Thankyou Letter & Invite to Ribbon Cutting
$250 Gathering Place Friend - Receives Personalized Thankyou Letter, Invite to Ribbon Cutting, and Donor Recognition on our Website
$500 Downtown Champion - Receives Personalized Thankyou Letter, Invite to Ribbon Cutting, and Donor Recognition on our Website and Social Media
$750 Downtown Connector - Receives Personalized Thankyou Letter, Invite to Ribbon Cutting, and Premium Donor Recognition on our Website and Social Media
$1000 Pathways Patron - Receives Personalized Thankyou Letter, Invite to Ribbon Cutting, and Premium Donor Recognition on our Website and Social Media, and Donor Recognition on Project Site Signage
$2500 Place Maker - Receives Personalized Thankyou Letter, Invite to Ribbon Cutting, and Premium Donor Recognition on our Website and Social Media, and Donor Recognition on Project Site Signage
$5000 Downtown Visionary - Receives Personalized Thankyou Letter, Invite to Ribbon Cutting, and Premium Donor Recognition on our Website and Social Media, and Donor Recognition on Project Site Signage
$7500 Community Legacy Partner - Receives Personalized Thankyou Letter, Invite to Ribbon Cutting, and Premium Donor Recognition on our Website and Social Media, and Donor Recognition on Project Site Signage
$10000 Pathways Founding Partner - Receives Personalized Thankyou Letter, Invite to Ribbon Cutting, and Premium Donor Recognition on our Website and Social Media, and Donor Recognition on Project Site Signage
Thank you for helping us elevate Downtown Bluffton into a vibrant, welcoming place where our community can gather, connect, and thrive!
Donations can also be made anonymously per your request.
Donations are Tax Deductible
Donate online to contribute towards the project through our Patronicity page: Click Here
You can also check the page for our fundraiser progress. All donations towards the match are due by December 15, 2026.
Make checks out to Bluffton NOW!
Mail Checks & Completed Donation Slip To:
Bluffton NOW!
Note: "Pathways Project" in the memo
211 Water ST
Bluffton, IN 46714