Projects gain steam in Brownstown

BROWNSTOWN - Two public-financed projects in the county seat moved forward during a meeting of the town council at town hall on Monday.

One of those projects involves a $398,000 renovation and expansion of the town's park off West Bridge Street.

Richard Farmer with the firm of Morley and Associates, Evansville, gave the council a brief description and a schedule of the project, which is being funded with a federal Community Focus Fund grant of $298,000, $85,000 in local match fundings and $15,000 in in-kind services.

"You will advertise for bids Oct. 23, open bids Nov. 17 and award the bid and issue a motion to proceed Nov. 24," Farmer said.

Farmer said the project, which could include a new concession stand, restroom and storage building as well as a new shelter house and a additional parking spaces depending upon bids, must be completed within 18 months.

The council voted 4-0 to approve a $54,000 contract with Morley & Associates for engineering and survey work on the project. The company also will assist the town with construction oversight and any changes that might be needed during construction.

The council also approved a contract with the Indiana Economic Development Corp., for infrastructure improvements along Indiana 135 at the Brownstown Industrial Park site.

The corporation is footing $65,000 of the bill for the work which includes the installation of a passing blister to allow motorists to pass vehicles waiting to turn on to Sweet Street at the industrial park. Sweet Street leads to the former Russell Stover Candies distribution center, which local businessman Dill Whittymore is in the process of converting to a coiled steel manufacturing plant.

The Indiana Department of Transportation also has provided a $75,000 grant for the project, and a city of Lawrenceburg grant of $380,000 will help fund the work.

Bids for that project will be opened Nov. 17, and awarded Nov. 24 with a completion date set for March 31.