Community Rallies Around Renewal of Downtown Union City, IN

Justin Sicking

Downtown revitalization has been a key initiative for Union City, IN, over the last few years, and new businesses and the exciting Vision Corner development prove the city’s commitment to renewal and growth. Establishments that have opened in downtown Union City the last few years include locally owned restaurants and cafes, specialty retail stores and a thrift shop. 

“In my 31 years as a business owner, I have never seen so many buildings renovated, new businesses open, and genuine interest and pride in downtown as I have witnessed in the past two years,” says Shelly King, owner of The Corner Cupboard, a downtown gift shop. “We are attracting lots of out-of-town customers, and our local youth are finding it cool to come downtown!” 

The Heartbeat of the City 

Downtown revitalization has always been high on Union City Mayor Chad Spence’s agenda. 

“We have worked feverishly to revitalize our downtown, adhering to the philosophy that a downtown is the heart of a community,” Spence says. “If the heart is not beating strongly, then the body (community) is not thriving as it is capable. We have sought to create a place, which, at the onset, included the installation of a downtown speaker system, overhead lights and outdoor seating.” 

An official city proclamation was made on Sept. 12, 2020, rededicating downtown Union City, which is located in East Central Indiana along the Ohio border. Earlier that year, the city purchased the former Apothecary Shoppe, a downtown building that sat empty for many years. Mayor Spence and Randolph Eastern School Corporation (RESC) Superintendent Aaron Black shared a vision for the space. 

Vision Corner 

Vision Corner discussions began in late 2019. Spence and Black imagined a space that would enhance the educational scope of Union City schools and replace a downtown Union City eyesore with a dynamic symbol of the city’s economic resurgence. 

Vision Corner, an ongoing project, will be a hub for career-focused education. The first floor is nearing completion and houses KISS Communications, a vocational broadcasting organization led entirely by RESC Jr-Sr High School students as well as the school’s DECA/Apache Design learning program. DECA provides hands-on business knowledge, and Apache is a student-operated enterprise that designs, manufactures and markets custom apparel. 

The Vision Corner project doubled Apache’s production capacity. It also doubled KISS Communications’ space, allowing the program to expand existing services, while giving students the ability to learn about social media marketing, podcasting and web design. In collaboration with Ball State University’s College of Communication, Information and Media, BSU students work with and mentor KISS Communications students in the new studio space. 

Construction is ongoing for the second floor, with anticipated completion in spring 2024. Ivy Tech occupies two sections for its “Learn Anywhere” classrooms and two additional rooms dedicated to medical pathways courses in collaboration with Reid Health. 

The adjoining building on Columbia Street is also a part of Vision Corner and will feature a student art studio and gallery, which displays artwork from students throughout Randolph and Darke counties. Plus, there is planned teacher living space on the second floor with hopes of attracting more educators to the area. 

Building a Bright Future 

In addition to the Vision Corner redevelopment, downtown Union City continues to attract tenants, with more restaurants and a butcher shop forthcoming. The city invested in the infrastructure for a new housing development and a three-season marketplace. 

To keep up the momentum, King recommends Union City residents buy locally whenever they can. “I think people would be very surprised at everything we offer,” King says. “If we don’t have what they’re looking for, we will try to help them find it locally whenever possible.” 

Even Union City’s youth are invested in their community’s future. 

“Our kids have captured the revitalization and collaborative spirit and are working on a $1.5 million initiative to bring new playground equipment and amenities to our park,” Spence says. “It truly is an all-hands-on-deck approach in Union City to ensure we help our community flourish.”