News from the past

Jennie Runevitch/Eyewitness News

Center Grove, April 2007 – A new study by Indiana University contends Center Grove should declare independence and become its own city. The proposed city limits would stretch from the county line south to Smokey Row Road and 37 on the west to 135 to the east.

At 47 square miles and with a population of 40,000, Center Grove is one of the largest unincorporated areas in the state. Indiana University clinical associate professor Dr. Paul Friga moved here five years ago and saw a need for change.

Friga and his business students spent a year studying whether Center Grove should become its own city. “Ultimately our team concluded that the pros outweigh the cons,” he said.

Center Grove depends on Johnson County for road repairs and police protection, but too often, Friga says, the county’s budget can’t keep up, leaving streets and safety vulnerable.

There’s also a lack of green space, with just one park for a growing population.

“If you were to have a city, you can take control over that and increase your green space, increase your trails, your economic development, increase specific funding for roads, increase funding and control of your services with the ultimate goal of raising property values for the entire area,” said Friga.

But becoming a city would also raise taxes.

“That I wouldn’t want. They’re going up enough,” said one Center Grove resident.

“We’re paying through the nose for taxes anyway, and if they do it, our taxes are going to double,” said Clarence Moore, resident.

There is still room for commercial development especially along State Road 37 to lessen the tax burden on homeowners, but the land is getting scarce and the study contends in another ten years, it’ll be too late.

“The timing is very important,” said Friga. “Our concern is selective annexation around this area and if no one annexes or incorporates it, the property values will go down.”

“You have to weigh those pros and cons, what’s best for the area and of course no one wants their home resale to drop,” said Stephanie Brough.

A classic cost-benefit debate is now at the center of Center Grove.

In order for Center Grove to pursue incorporation, at least 50 landowners would have to sign a petition to get the process started.

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This was over two years ago. How long are we going to continue to ignore the need for incorporation here? Whether it comes through reorganization or an independent effort, if Center Grove is to have a viable future incorporation must be part of the picture. – Dann Veldkamp, August 27, 2009

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