WIUM Local
(2009-01-08)
Mayor Scott Thompson during the January 7 public forum on the downtown project.
The city plans to repair the brick streets and improve the curbs. It also plans to develop a facade program. In addition, it hopes to create a revolving loan fund.
Once all of that is done, it plans to market the square, the city in general, and Schuyler County. The city will use hotel-motel tax money to stimulate tourism. It will promote the square's retail offerings, Scripps Golf Course, local parks, and local hunting opportunities.
Mayor Scott Thompson says it's a plan not just for today; it's a plan for generations to come. "It's our responsibility as the leadership to leave what we have in better condition than how we found it," says Thompson. "It would be a disservice to the community if we didn't provide this opportunity for their benefit."
It won't come cheaply. The estimated cost of the entire plan is $1,759,454 (see the breakdown at the bottom of the article). Thompson calls that "a barrel of money."
An $800,000 federal grant will pay for the street work. That grant was awarded in 2005 with the stipulation that it be used within five years, so the clock is ticking on that part of the project.
The city says it can cover the rest of the cost through a multi-year financing plan. It will use downtown TIF district money to repay what is borrowed. Supporters feel a revitalized downtown will bring in more visitors and thus generate more sales. This will increase the assessed value of the square's businesses, meaning those retailers would end up putting more money into the TIF fund.
Rex Andrews, who owns Andrews Antiques on the north side of the sqaure, acknowledges some people will not like the plan. He thinks they might make life difficult for those trying to blaze a new trail. "We have an expression: You know pioneers get? Arrows in their back. So they (city leaders) are going to take some heat. But I think it's worthwhile. It's gotta be done for the good of the county and the good of the city."
Jack Baker, who owns Baker's Jewelry, thinks the project will enhance the value of the community. He hopes to sell his business when he retires in a few years instead of holding a Going-Out-Of-Business sale. It appears most of the business owners on the square support the plan, but Baker says a number of others in town still need to be convinced of its merits. "They're concerned about the money. Of course, everyone is," says Baker. "But once this is done it will generate more money to come in eventually."
The work could begin in April. But a court hearing in early March might complicate matters.
The city is in a dispute over the land where the wastewater lagoons it uses are located. The land is owned by Bartlow Brothers. The company wants to void its lease with Rushville and sell the land to the city. If the court goes along with the proposal, the city might be ordered to cough up more than $1 million.
That, in turn, could hinder the city's plans for improving its square.
Here is a breakdown of the costs for the Downtown Square Revitalization Project:
Brick Pavement Removal (Clean & Salvage) - $110,000
Pavement Removal (No Salvage) - $25,000
Sidewalk Removal - $20,000
Curb Removal - $5,000
Earth Excavation - $40,000
Storm Sewer - $30,000
Sub-Base Granular Material - $75,000
HMA Base Course - $90,000
Brick Pavement (Salvaged Bricks) - $120,000
PCC Parking/Intersection Pavement - $170,000
Gutter/Combination Curb & Gutter - $85,000
PCC Sidewalk - $110,000
Brick Sidewalk - $20,000
Lighting (Pedestrian) - $80,000
Lighting (Street) - $110,000
Streetscape Planting (Tree/Tree Grate) - $75,000
Streetscape Planting (Shrubs/Sod) - $25,000
Signing/Striping - $10,000
Contractor Staking - $25,000
Traffic Control - $25,000
Watermain Replacement - $300,000
Construction Subtotal = $1,550,000
Preliminary Engineering 1 - $16,346
Preliminary Engineering 2 - $63,108
Construction Engineering - $130,000
Engineering Subtotal = $209,454
Total Project Cost = $1,759,454
Grant Funding = $800,000
Local Share (Unfunded Balance) = $959,454 © Copyright 2012, wium
