2024 Initiative:
Alley-Oop Alley Activation Projet
In 2020, The Heart of Lebanon began a project to activate an alley that had been vacated to vehicular traffic during the 2018 downtown renovations. The purpose of the project was to provide an opportunity for an engaging public space that expanded the pedestrian network and celebrated the rich history and culture of our community. The selected alley was the North-South Alley on the north side of the Courthouse Square. When standing in the alley, looking north, you see Memorial Gymnasium built in 1931. This 2,200 seat facility hosted the renaissance of Lebanon basketball, a rebirth brought on by Rick “The Rocket” Mount from 1962-1966. Prior to this rebirth, the early years of Lebanon basketball reputation was of high skill level that resulted in 3 state titles in 1912, 1917 and 1918. The Heart of Lebanon is excited to celebrate this rich history with Alley-Oop. In 2022, the Heart of Lebanon, after gaining approval from the Historic Preservation Commission and the Lebanon Board of Works, In 2023, The Heart of Lebanon secured at $50,000 matching grant as part of the CreatINg Places grant from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority after raising $54,825 using the Patronicity platform. In October of 2024, the Alley was completed and dedicated to the City of Lebanon.
“This is Home and Home is Basketball”
2024 Initiative:
Bicycle Art Exhibit
Exciting developments are unfolding in Lebanon, Indiana’s cycling scene. In recent years, the city has significantly expanded the Big 4 Trail, adding miles of new pathways, with plans to further extend the trail system across the city. Additionally, the long-awaited Stone Eater Bike Park project, initiated in 2018, is set for completion this year.
To commemorate these achievements and inspire community engagement, artists and organizations from across the county have collaborated on a captivating art exhibit. We invite you to revel in these creations and embrace the spirit of cycling. Join us in Downtown Lebanon to celebrate these milestones and encourage everyone to get on their bikes. #LingerLonger
2024 Initiative:
North Meridian Alley Activation
2023 Initiative:
Follow the Bees
In 2023, The Heart of Lebanon promoted exploration of the district’s offerings, highlighting the Youth Learning Garden, also known as “The Garden,” situated on South St in Downtown. We introduced a new trail initiative at the intersection of Meridian and Main Street called “Follow the Bees to the Youth Learning Garden.” This trail featured bee stickers on the sidewalk, guiding both young and old to discover this enchanting garden adorned with art sculptures, native plants, and a small edible garden plot.
2022 Initiative:
The Helping Hub Station
2022 Initiative:
Temporary Art Display
“Catalyst for Change” Metamorphosis
Lebanon is set to though some big changes. With continued new announcements of development, Lebanon will need to brace for growth and change. We hope to show through art, that there can be beauty on the other side. Art is a catalyst for positive transformation in all areas of human development and personal growth. Art educates, inspires, imparts and alters individuals and society at large. The Heart of Lebanon hopes to showcase this season of Metamorphosis with in our city though butterfly inspired temporary art in downtown. Whether it be an interactive mural, butterfly shadows at night or larger than life butterflies and caterpillars, we hope that you are inspired to embrace what Lebanon will become but will remain that same at Heart.
PRESS RELEASE 7.15.2022
The Heart of Lebanon is adding some additional art installations to Downtown Lebanon as part of their Catalyst for Change Temporary Art Exhibit that highlights the beauty of change through Metamorphosis. This additional art is thanks to a grant provided by the National Association of REALTORS® and MIBOR REALTOR® Association. The Heart of Lebanon received funding for their Caterpillar Bollard Art project and for the temporary murals butterfly murals located in the downtown. Community artists were invited to pick up a blank bollard cover and paint it with the theme “Caterpillar” serving as their inspiration.
“It’s been wonderful to see how the word ‘Caterpillar’ has created so many different responses from the artists,” said Heart of Lebanon Executive Director Missy Krulik. “It is my hope that visitors to our wonderful downtown are inspired by the creativity of these gifted people.”
From a friendly caterpillar munching on a leaf to a multi-layered collage that includes hidden butterflies and gems, these bollards are a unique twist to temporarily spruce up worn post that create a protective perimeter to stairways, electrical and gas utilities, and buildings throughout the downtown. The Heart of Lebanon hopes downtown visitors draw inspiration from these community artists and explore their respective interpretations of the word, “Caterpillar.” The bollards can be found sprinkled throughout the downtown, located along roadways and alleys. Artist includes Anita Gordon, Erin Lawrence Salewicz, Nicole Paraskevas, Harriet Imboden, the Arc Artisans, and Claire Haugton.
2022 Initiative:
Design Improvements
2021 Initiative:
Historic Lebanon Courthouse Square Walking Tour
In 2021, The Heart of Lebanon received a Historic Preservation Education Grant from Indiana Humanities, Indiana Landmarks, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. With this grant, we were able to showcase 18 buildings and sites on our multi-media walking tour located on an app called Distrx. The tour walks you through when the building was built, who built it, a description of what the building and who the occupants were in it’s early years. We will be continuously updating the walking tour to keep the information new and exciting. This is a great step toward understanding our downtown’s past so we can build on the future.
2020 Initiative:
Helping Small Businesses in the Heart
Emergency Health Crisis Grant
In 2020, COVID-19 presented a lot of challenges for small businesses in the Heart of our Community. 87% of businesses located in the heart of our downtown who were polled said that they have suffered significant revenue loss with 46% at risk of closing their door permanently if the health crisis persist. The Heart of Lebanon launched a Help Small Businesses in the Heart Grant program by seeking members of the Community to donate $100 to become a Friend of the Heart of Lebanon. The Heart of Lebanon then matched that donation by 100-150%. Together with the community we were able to raise $6000 that was granted to 6 small businesses in the Heart of our Community.
2018 Initiative: #Embrace the Orange
In May 2018 , the city began renovating the downtown square, including replacing 50-70 years old infrastructure. This project, although needed, created strain on our downtown businesses. The Heart of Lebanon, though funds provided by the City of Lebanon RDC, facilitated an #Embrace the Orange campaign that encouraged the public to continue to come downtown and support the businesses. The HOL also provided daily construction updates on their Facebook page.
2018 Initiative: The Youth Learning Community Garden
The Youth Learning Community Garden located on South Street was a funding initiative of the Heart of Lebanon though a matching OCRA grant. The garden includes rentable raised-bed plots, a grazing garden, keyhole garden, a wildlife experience and one of two walking man sculptures located in Lebanon.
2017 Initiative: Express Parking Pilot Program
The Heart of Lebanon facilitated a short-term parking pilot program in order to advocate for the small businesses located in the Heart of Lebanon. When concerns about parking for carry-out customers were raised, the HOL worked with the City of Lebanon to establish a parking program that gave those businesses a spot for short-term parking.
