Special Committee to look at upgrading downtown

A special committee complied of city council members, business leaders, and city officials will look at the future of downtown Terre Haute.

A special a special committee met tonight to talk about the future of downtown terre haute.

Good evening and thanks for joining us.

The convention center and what goes along with it has been a big topic of conversation for terre haute.

So what does that look like?

News 10's sarah lehman is live in our newsroom.

In your top story tonight -- she has more from that special committee meeting.

And what you can expect.

Patrece..rondrell... this is the first time this special committee has met.

But -- they really want to look at the entireity of downtown.

It's a committee made up of 15 people.

Including city council members... business owners... and city officials.

They're going to focus on the future of downtown terre haute.

That's going to include the convention center and new hotels.

As well as the parking situation.

But -- they also want to look at the rest of downtown.

I spoke with city council president george azar after the online meeting wrapped up.

He says there's a plan from about 10 years ago that looks at upgrades the downtown could use.

He says the committee is going to look at that plan to see what can still be done.

They want to attract more people to the downtown area.

Today -- they wanted to get together to establish the goals of their committee.

But -- they also realize with covid-19 things are being put on pause.

That means progress in some areas won't be possible during the pandemic.

"right now, unfortunately, with covid-19 we are in a situation where everything's just kind of on hold.

We just wanted to make sure that, of course, the convention center is on track.

Which it is.

The clock is ticking of course, but i think it's ticking a little slower right now because of the covid-19.

Which is going to give us a little more of an oppurtunity to kind of meet and get together on what we can come up with."

Members of the committee decided they'll postpone meetings until july.

However -- that does not mean they won't be working on these projects.

Azar asked the members to send all their ideas for downtown terre haute.

They will be compiled into a list.

Which will be hashed out at their next meeting.

It's also important to note -- this comimittee cannot pass anything legally binding.

They can only make recommendations to the full city council.

Live in the newsroom sarah lehman news 10.

Back to you.