Even though the grass grows long along the banks of Goshen's sleepy millrace canal, a few visionaries can already see the potential this forgotten waterway holds. One needs to think only of the development that has sprung from the canal in downtown Indianapolis to imagine the possibilities for this small city in northern Indiana.

"Goshen is remarkable in that it has large, open spaces full of nature," says Michel Mounayar, associate dean of Ball State's College of Architecture and Planning. "And the canal is only one of its fantastic assets."

As part of Ball State's Building Better Communities (BBC) initiative, Mounayar and fellow architecture faculty members Harry Eggink and Jason Johnson presented detailed drawings and sketches depicting various development proposals for the millrace corridor. Housing options included cozy cottages or contemporary homes that produce energy rather than use it. Designs showcased gardens that could be placed on rooftops and open-floor plans that allow for rooms' functions to be interchanged. The plan also addressed transforming an old generating plant into a new trailhead.

The Goshen Redevelopment Commission, River Race Restoration Association, and area residents have embraced the proposals, and the project is showcased on the city's Web site (select "studies") and has been featured prominently in the area's newspapers.

The momentum the project has generated is palpable and is getting stronger. More than 80 percent of the properties have been purchased, and city officials have been able to secure $500,000 in federal grants to clean up the polluted areas next to the canal, bringing the project one step closer to reality, according to Mike Puro, Goshen's redevelopment director.

The project stands as a living example of BBC's motto: Renewing Indiana, one community—one canal—at a time.