July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.

Park grant denied ... again (9/8/04)

INDOT says no to Hudson Family Park

By By Rachelle [email protected]

The Portland Park Board learned Tuesday it has again been denied a $1.2 million grant through the Indiana Department of Transportation for the Hudson Family Park project.

This announcement sparked several negative comments about the performance of Hannum, Wagle & Cline, the Indianapolis engineering firm hired to assist in the grant process.

Park board president Neil Medler said the grant money would have been used as a general fund for the project and would have covered most of the construction costs. The board applied for the same grant last year but was turned down in December.

Medler said INDOT officials did not indicate why the board’s application was turned down a second time.

Although no funding was awarded locally, a total of $18.3 million was awarded throughout the state in this grant round, Medler added.

Based on the firm’s recommendation, a public hearing was held for the project in January to gain community support. Medler said firm representatives told board members if the project had public support the chances of getting the grant would be greatly enhanced.

“We were misadvised by Hannum, Wagle & Cline,” he said. “All the board members are very disappointed in (the firm).”

Cory Whitesell, a partner in the firm who has been working on the grant applications with the board, said today he did not know why the grant application was denied. He said 141 applications were submitted, and only 31 were funded. He believes competition with other strong applicants could have lessened the board’s chances of being approved.

Medler said the board is also upset with the firm about another grant application for the project through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

The board now plans to pursue other avenues for funding of the park project. Medler said funding through other state and federal grants was being considered. More than $60,000 has already been spent on planning the park, he said.

Medler said if the INDOT grant had been approved the first time, the park would probably be completed by now.

In other business, the board voted to apply for a grant through The Portland Foundation to make the restrooms at Haynes Park handicapped accessible.

A $5,000 bid by Aker-Taylor Plumbing of Portland was selected by the board, said Medler. The restrooms are expected to be ready for use by next summer.

Also Tuesday, board members learned from Portland Pool manager Jennifer Rathbun that the pool made a $1,000 profit in the concession stand this summer. The pool closed down for the season with $18,299 in revenue, which is $500 less than last year.

Medler said he didn’t know why the number was down but it could have been caused by bad weather. He said $500 is an insignificant amount.

“We never actually make any money on the pool anyway,” he said.[[In-content Ad]]
PORTLAND WEATHER

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