Busy with plans

DUNKIRK — The mayor is excited to complete some major projects this year.

He has a wish list for more.

Jack Robbins reminded residents about the work that will be happening throughout the city this year and laid out his hopes for the future Thursday in his Dunkirk State of the City address at West Jay Community Center.

His review of community projects for this year included:

•A sidewalk project that will connect West Jay Elementary School to Dunkirk City Park along Highland Avenue.

•Completion of a trail that circles Dunkirk City Park and will connect to the sidewalk

•Community Crossings paving work via a grant from Indiana Department of Transportation for paving all of Mount Auburn Street, Lincoln Avenue on the west side of the city and Angle Street on the north side of the city

•The creation of two detention ponds on the southeast side of the city and other related work designed to mitigate flooding in the area

“We’re invested,” he said of the flood mitigation effort, which is being paid for in part through a $600,000 grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs and more than $400,000 from the city’s federal coronavirus relief funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. “We’re going at this the right way. I think people are going to be happy when they see the results of it.”

Looking toward the future, Robbins said he believes the city needs an additional water tower to increase capacity

He wants to attract new industries to the city’s industrial park.

And he’s hopeful that a new housing addition can be started.

“That’s a future wish list — to get another housing project started, 15 to 20 homes, a new street, and start trying to attract some younger people here,” said Robbins. “Things are growing in Dunkirk.

“We’re in the right direction. We’ve got activities. We’ve got people coming in. If a house goes up for sale, it isn’t there very long. … That’s good news for Dunkirk.”

He also said the city continues to make progress in its downtown area and with business in general, including The Pink Barn, Living in Joy and Crown City Lanes.

He touted the importance of Dunkirk Industrial Development Corporation, noting that it owns the industrial park land and has taken on problem properties in an effort to rehabilitate them.

Thursday’s event also included updates from the city’s department heads, with clerk-treasurer Tina Elliott noting that the city’s new website is up and running at dunkirk.in.gov. It allows for online water bill payment. Once the city’s ordinance book is updated — officials are seeking quotes from consultants to handle that work — it will be posted on the site as well.

Steven Gillette of the wastewater department echoed Robbins’ hope that the detention ponds will alleviate flooding in the areas of Broad, Barbier, Rick and Second streets as well as Moore Avenue. Water department superintendent Dace Mumbower said he will be working with city council to deal with water that is being used but unaccounted for.

Bard Barger of the street and parks department said in addition to the sidewalk project along Highland Avenue he plans to work on the city’s alleys this year.

He added that the city’s pool has been upgraded with a new liner. (Robbins later thanked the county for its contribution of more than $100,000 in economic development funds from Bitter Ridge Wind Farm that funded the liner as well as new pumps, grates and lifeguard stations.)

Fire chief Robert Fields explained that the fire station has been upgraded with a new electrical system and roof. The city’s cascade system for refilling air tanks was also upgraded, and Dunkirk is part of a countywide grant application for new self-contained breathing apparatus tanks.

Dane Mumbower, the city’s police chief, explained that the DARE program was launched at West Jay Elementary School in the last year with investigator Erica Post leading it. He noted the removal of houses that had been destroyed by fires and indicated a hope to start a citizens police academy this fall.

“It will afford citizens an opportunity to get to know the police department,” said Mumbower.