French Lick|West Baden Springs

French Lick Town Green and Mixed Use Development

SKA served as the planning and urban design lead for a series of coordinated plans for the towns of West Baden Springs and French Lick. One of the resulting implementation projects was the French Lick Town Green, which also provided design guidelines for mixed‑use infill surrounding the new Town Green. The framework of the plan was a district‑wide, multimodal corridor system of quiet streets that accommodate cars but also function as celebration and gathering places when closed to traffic. The streetscape creates a beautiful, walkable environment that incorporates representations of French Lick Springs’ hot‑spring destination heritage while supporting new commercial and residential uses.

This work was guided by long-range planning considersations, interagency coordination and long-term stewardship needs.

Strategies: Economic Catalyst through Infrastructure

Our approach centered on using public infrastructure as the foundation for private investment and community resilience:

  • Integrated Public–Private Strategy: SKA led a series of coordinated plans that implemented more than $10 million in public works projects over eight years, using parks and open space as direct catalysts for economic development.
  • Leveraging Federal & State Resources: A key strategy involved acting as a “Consulting Party” during the INDOT SR 56 resurfacing project. By leveraging this state‑funded initiative, SKA was able to integrate town‑funded enhancements—such as widened sidewalks and landscaped lawns—that would have otherwise been missed.
  • Adaptive Urbanism: SKA employed the “Quiet Street” strategy, designing infrastructure without curbs or barriers to allow for flexible use—functioning as standard roadways most of the time while seamlessly transforming into public celebration spaces for special events.
  • Sustainable Economic Vision: The core strategy treated circulation and open space not as separate utilities, but as integrated elements that support a high quality of life and sustainable growth.

Places: Creating Anchor Destinations

Our work focused on creating distinct "rooms" within the community that celebrate the region's unique heritage::

Our work focused on creating distinct “rooms” within the community that celebrate the region’s unique heritage:

  • The French Lick Town Green: SKA led the design of this new central anchor, which serves as a “living room” for the Village Mixed‑Use District. It features infill commercial and residential development designed to create a walkable, heritage‑rich destination.
  • Historic Heritage Integration: The streetscapes and the Town Green were specifically designed to incorporate representations of French Lick Springs’ hot‑spring heritage, ensuring new development felt rooted in the town’s history.
  • The Lost River Gateway: SKA developed this key entry point to create a strong sense of arrival and community identity.
  • West Baden Springs Hotel Entry: SKA’s work extended into the historic core, designing a new entry plan for the iconic West Baden Springs Hotel and its surrounding gardens, incorporating the Lost River Promenade and Trail.

Connections: Building the Multimodal Web

SKA transformed the towns from car‑centric corridors into an interconnected, multimodal network:

  • Regional Tourism Corridor (SR 56): SKA transformed State Road 56 from a standard highway into a multimodal street corridor with safe pedestrian crossings, linking the Town Green directly to the Historic French Lick Hotel.
  • Promenade & Gateway Trails: SKA planned and implemented critical links such as the West Baden Springs Promenade Trail (Phase 2) and the WBS Gateway Trail (Oxford to Ballard), creating seamless connections for visitors and residents between the two towns.
  • Intermodal Transportation: SKA assisted with planning resort‑focused transit, including incorporating a stop at the West Baden Springs Hotel entry along the Lost River Promenade to provide a historic and efficient way to move between the district’s major attractions.
  • Multimodal Street Typologies: SKA defined a hierarchy of street corridors—Social, Connector, and Quiet—each with specific design standards prioritizing pedestrian safety and social interaction.

Multiple Contarcts over ten years

SR 56 Corridor Study - Joint Project with Towns French Lick and West Baden Springs
French Lick Town Green - Town of French Lick
West Baden Springs Town Plan, Parks Plan and Gateway Towers and Trail

Recent Activity

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