CROTHERSVILLE
A southern Indiana real estate developer has expressed plans for a housing addition in Crothersville.
Matthew Conway recently met with town council President Lenvel “Butch” Robinson and town employees Mason Boicourt and Chris Mains to discuss adding 10 to 12 homes in the 600 block of East Walnut Street.
A paved portion of that street from Preston Street turns into a gravel road and currently contains four homes. Then there is acreage on both sides of the street to allow for development.
Before any work begins, Conway has asked the town to accept the street and sewer. That would involve the town paving the street and ensuring the sewer correctly flows.
Robinson said Boicourt recently ran water through the sewer, and the water flowed down to Preston Street like it’s supposed to and there were no problems.
If the project winds up being approved by the council, Robinson said Conway would have to keep the road in good shape until the final house is built, and then the town would pave it.
The street already has a couple of pole lights, but they never were hooked up by Duke Energy because the town never accepted the road.
Robinson also said he would like sidewalks in front of the homes.
Conway told Robinson he would be glad to come to a council meeting to discuss his plans and answer any questions.
“Personally, I don’t see a problem with it,” Robinson said of Conway’s plans.
“I think it’s a great idea,” Councilman Chad Wilson added.
Councilman Bob Lyttle said it would be good to have Conway come to the next meeting, set for 6 p.m. Dec. 6 at Crothersville Town Hall.
“To me, it sounds like if he’ll do what he says, it would be a good deal,” Lyttle said.
The addition would include modular homes that are placed on block foundations. Robinson said they would be similar to the homes already on the street.
Local resident Scott Black, who also met with Conway, Robinson, Boicourt and Mains, would help with the placement of the homes.
Robinson had asked Conway how he was going to sell 10 to 12 homes when several homes are sitting empty around town.
“He said he can sell them, not a problem,” Robinson said. “He said, ‘Others may sit empty, but I can sell these.'”
If Conway finds buyers for the homes, Robinson said it could result in an increase in enrollment for the town’s school, especially if it’s families moving into the homes.
In terms of paving the street if the project goes through, Robinson said he’s hopeful the town would receive some state funding to cover that cost.
Trena Carter, the town’s grant consultant, said there is a Community Crossings matching grant that could double the amount of money the town receives for paving.
Robinson said the past couple of years, the town has spent around $60,000 on paving.
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What: Crothersville Town Council meeting
When: 6 p.m. Dec. 6
Where: Crothersville Town Hall, 111 E. Howard St.
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