Redkey seeking sidewalk grant

REDKEY — New sidewalks may be in the town’s future.
Jay County community development director Ami Huffman presented details of Indiana Department of Transportation’s Redkey Park Sidewalk Project grant proposal during a Redkey Town Council special meeting Thursday.
“I think it’d be alright as far as I’m concerned,” said council vice president Charles “Red” Coons.
Town council president Ted Friddle and members David Dudelston, Doug Stanley, Mike Wright and Coons signed a letter of support for the project and to give Huffman permission to apply for the grant. She has been working with Mitch Hansel of Fleis & Vandenbrink Engineering on the project.
Council also agreed to work toward becoming Americans with Disabilities Act compliant, signed a contract allowing fireworks in the town and got an update on the clock tower restoration.
If the town receives the sidewalk grant, construction would be scheduled for 2021. The sidewalks would begin at Redkey Elementary School and go west along Main Street to Mooney Street. They would then run south on Mooney Street to Redkey Park.
“It’s all about connectivity is how you score points on these so by putting it there, you’re connecting the school, the downtown, passed low income housing, also then through a neighborhood, and you’re also connecting it to where council will be in here at the cabin, where activities are at the ball fields, fireworks, all of that, it’s all about what you’re connecting and providing people the opportunity to connect to through the sidewalk,” Huffman said.
The town committed funds for the project at a special meeting May 12.
The total cost will be $171,000, with a $34,000 match from the town — $8,000 will be needed from the town in 2017 and $26,200 in 2020.
“The good thing is you have time to save,” Huffman said.
Council expressed its support toward working to make the town ADA complaint after receiving notice that a transition plan needs to be put in place. a letter the town received agreeing to take steps to make town buildings ADA compliant. Hansel is planning a survey of buildings to see what changes need to be made.
Town council members signed a contract to allow Redkey Volunteer Firefighters to have fireworks in July. Firefighters raise the $6,000 for the fireworks.
Since several festivals are coming up, including the Blues and BBQ Festival on Saturday in downtown Redkey, the town agreed to add an extra $200 to its liability insurance from Barnum-Brown Insurance. Bob Brown sent an email that the extra cost has been waived.
Steve Fennig, who has been getting information on restoring the clock tower at Redkey Fire Station gave an update to council. He received a quote of $38,500 from J.J. Smith from Mooresville. Huffman suggested Fennig check with The Portland Foundation about a possible grant.
“I really love the idea of restoring the clock,” Friddle told Fennig.