One needs to think only of the development that has sprung from the canal in downtown Indianapolis to imagine the possibilities.

"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. Not only is there the man-made waterway to consider, but there's also the Elkhart River and the trails that edge both."

At a recent "Wake Up, Goshen!" Chamber of Commerce meeting, 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 include cozy cottages or contemporary homes that produce energy rather than use it, similar in concept to the Eco Houses Ball State built in Fishers in 2003­-04 through a partnership with Vectren. Designs showcase gardens that could be placed on rooftops and open-floor plans that allow for rooms' functions to be interchanged.

The proposals also address the old generating plant located at the end of  the trail that edges the canal.

"This structure would be ideal for a canal trailhead," Mounayar says. "It could be a gathering place for people to begin their runs or bike rides, to learn about the history of the canal, and buy convenience items such as drinks or snacks."

In such a small town filled with business owners wary of new development, Mounayar is careful to suggest the small commercial ventures shouldn't compete with downtown retail businesses. "A development along the millrace certainly would not suck the energy from downtown, but rather enhance the city's overall vibrancy," he says.

Mounayar and Eggink were invited to the northern Indiana city by the Goshen Redevelopment Commission and River Race Restoration Association. The momentum generated by the canal project is apparent on the city's Web site, where the project is featured prominently, and in a newspaper editorial published shortly after Ball State's presentation.

"This sort of forward thinking is helpful to provide Goshen residents with a vision for the future," The Goshen News wrote about the project. "Dreaming about the possibilities for this section of Goshen may be an intellectual exercise, but it also provides a starting point for tangible projects."

See the design proposals: www.goshen.org