The City of Valparaiso is considering expanding its downtown park, Central Park Plaza.

“Central Park Plaza was the spark that began the transformation of our downtown nearly 15 years ago, revitalizing our downtown to the attraction it is today,” Mayor Jon Costas said in a press release. “The city is studying options to expand on this success, incorporating ideas the community has suggested through the years.”

City officials have initiated conversations with the two landowners to the east of Central Park Plaza. Costas said there are many uncertainties about the expansion.

“Does expanding Central Park Plaza make sense? Can the city acquire the necessary property? What are the costs and sources for funding? How can the impacted residents and businesses be helped?” Costas said.

The mayor added that the questions need to be addressed before the project could move forward.

“To maintain our growing and vibrant community, the city must always be exploring new ideas. Some ideas, like the new skatepark and pickleball courts, make sense,” he said. “Others do not. But to stop considering and exploring ways to enhance our community because misinformation and social media videos travel faster than a deliberative process, would be a mistake and a disservice.”

Central Park Plaza opened in 2011. It was created without borrowing money or issuing bonds. Shortly after opening with the amphitheater, splash pad and green spaces, an expansion was launched, which opened in 2015. It included the William E. Urschel Pavilion and Ice Rink and the Indiana Beverage Activity Center.

“I have said on numerous occasions that a good process brings a good result,” Costas said. “If after the city’s preliminary investigations, expanding Central Park Plaza is feasible and makes sense, there will be numerous opportunities for robust public engagement before any decisions are made.”

The city plans to share more of the ideas under consideration early next week.