Artwork Dedicated at Lake Salinda; Mayor Discusses Future Plans

Please consult this source for original story and photo gallery: WSLM Radio

Salem Mayor Justin Green unveiled two new art projects that will be on display at Lake Salinda and help secure the area as a destination location around Southern Indiana.

Green also discussed future plans that include the addition of about 20 campsites with electric hookup, a new bathhouse and a kayak launch. 

The bath house will complement the grounds with a dual sided restroom/bath facility that will promote many more activities at the lake.

This addition will drive more visitors to the area by promoting Lake Salinda as a destination.

The City of Salem is also preparing about 20 campsites that will have electricity. 

Green said they are working to make more amenities available to the public – including permanent gaming tables, corn hole boards and a possible use for the old pump house located near the entrance to the lake property.

Lake Salinda currently has walking trails, a mountain bike trail and fishing and kayaking open to the public. 

With READI dollars, this underutilized property is becoming a great asset for Washington County, said Green. 

This project is anticipated to draw visitors from neighboring counties and impact the local economy.

A total of 38 new direct and indirect jobs with $178,428 in new wages are expected, along with an economic output of $1.8 million and $430,750 in new tax revenue.

The art installations were collaboratively designed and installed by Washington County residents and Indiana University faculty and students.

Students in the IU Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture + Design J. Irwin Miller Architecture Program and the ServeDesign Center, under the leadership of faculty member Jeeyea Kim, partnered with the City of Salem, the Washington County Community Foundation and Salem High School students to understand the regional culture and heritage of Salem and Lake Salinda.

Inspired by that exploration, IU students designed two public art installations to attract more visitors and build upon the City of Salem’s plans for expanded recreation at the lake.

Kim worked with Brittain Brewer, fellow faculty member and co-director of the ServeDesign Center to prepare the designs for fabrication, sign on McIntyre Brothers Construction and collaborate for successful fabrication and installation.

The project is supported by the IU Center for Rural Engagement’s Sustaining Hoosier Communities partnership with Washington County.

“Revival,” a metal and acrylic structure designed by Alyssa Bullock and Jess Novitski, mimics a quilt pattern. Transparent panels, evoking the look of stained glass, feature colors inspired by the Salem downtown landscape.

Visitors can enjoy peaceful views and sounds of the water from the “Revival” setting.

This art is on display near the old Pump House parking lot, west of the dam. 

“A Common Link” is an interactive sculpture featuring metal linked strands that invite visitors to interact and celebrate the community’s connections.

Designed by Rachel Staley and Kayley Adams, “A Common Link” is inspired by Salem’s quilting heritage, featuring brightly colored patterns across metal link drapery that complements the beauty of Lake Salinda’s scenery.

This location is east of the dam. 

Fabrication was led by the McIntyre Bros. team of Jeff McIntyre, Kurt Vorhies and Jase Gratzer.

Thanks to participation in the regional Our Southern Indiana READI initiative, Salem and Washington County residents will enjoy new outdoor amenities, the area will grow thanks to a housing development, and economic development will be enhanced through airport improvements.

Washington County received funding to be utilized in three areas – Lake Salinda, Shelby Street housing, and Salem Municipal Airport. The private-public funding for these projects totals several millions.

“This is a tremendous opportunity for our city, county, and region,” said Mayor Justin Green. “It became clear in the past decade or so that a regional approach to economic development was far more beneficial than individual efforts. The state recognized this in launching READI.”

READI (Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative) was launched several years ago by the state to accelerate economic development. Collaboration among counties, cities, and towns was encouraged to create partnerships to develop projects intended to both retain talent and attract new workers.

Washington County is part of the regional Our Southern Indiana which also includes Clark, Floyd, Jefferson and Scott counties. 

The effort was led by Our Southern Indiana Regional Development Authority, comprising a board that includes representatives from each county. John Jones represents Washington County on the RDA board. The READI plan involves a multitude of projects touching many areas, such as housing, recreation, education, utilities and economic development. The entire project will create 693 new housing units, increasing the population by 1,794 and resulting in more than $105 million in economic output.

A total of $1 billion in a combination of public and private funds are being utilized with an estimated 13,100 new direct and indirect jobs expected to be created and an additional economic output of $662 million. The projects across the five counties are also expected to result in 58,000 new residents.

“These projects will transform this region, paving the way for new opportunities in many different areas for residents,” said Mayor Green. “Quality of life will be enhanced, and economies will grow because of these investments. I’m so grateful our city and county are involved in this effort. It will truly change our future.”

Other Salem/Washington County projects are:

• Salem Municipal Airport Hangar & Fueling Improvements. This project will complete critical landslide improvements in conjunction with a runway extension project funded through the FAA. The project will help drive economic development through improvements to hangar spaces, a fixed Jet-A fuel point and extension of utilities, including water, sanitary sewer and drainage improvements.

The project is expected to result in nearly $1.8 million in economic output, $154,086 in new tax revenue, 12 new direct and indirect jobs with $645,445 in total new wages.

• Workforce Housing – Infrastructure & Property Acquisition. The City of Salem is partnering with the Charlestown, Jeffersonville and Madison in this regional effort to provide investment in public infrastructure and land acquisition to support both single and multi-family housing units. It will utilize $105,649,605 in private development funds plus $4.8 million in local government funds.

In Washington County, a $9.7 million development is planned on 29 acres on North Shelby Street in Salem. This will include at least 15 single-family housing units for middle-income families.

The entire project will create 693 new housing units, increasing the population by 1,794 and resulting in more than $105 million in economic output.