Revitalization loan approved

DUNKIRK — A local businessman will get help restoring another building.

Dunkirk City Council on Monday approved a $25,000 downtown revitalization loan for Rock Fuqua for upgrades at 128 S. Main St.

Fuqua and his wife Kathy recently purchased the former pet store building, which is just north of Dunkirk Police Department. They plan to renovate it in hopes of attracting a business to the downtown area.

The downtown revitalization loan will follow the same parameters as previous loans, with a promissory note from the Fuquas and zero interest over five years. The funds must be used for building improvements.

The Fuquas, former owners of Dunkirk’s Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Ram dealership, have been involved in a variety of renovation projects in the city. Among those projects are Glass Capital Grill and the former News and Sun building, which now houses The Pink Barn.

Dunkirk Mayor Jack Robbins also informed council members Jesse Bivens, Bryan Jessup, Kevin Hamilton and Christy Curts, absent Tom Johnson, that a change order was turned in Monday for the storm sewer and detention basin project that is underway on the southeast side of the city.

Plans originally called for line upgrades to run along Rick Street and Second Street to A Street.

The change order calls for utilizing Palace Street and Rick Street to avoid other underground infrastructure on A Street.

Robbins said the change is unlikely to impact the timeline for the project and also will not increase the cost.

In other business, council:

•Heard a final walk-through with Indiana Department of Transportation on the Highland Avenue sidewalk project will be held Thursday. A previous walk-through led to fixes in minor issues such as a sign that was reinstalled incorrectly and some areas that needed to be re-seeded.

•Answering a question from Jessup, Robbins said paving of the trail on the east side of Dunkirk City Park will be completed by the end of fall. In further discussion, Robbins said the city will be applying for a grant to continue the trail from its intersection with Speedcat Alley near Highland Avenue around the west side of the park and back to West Jay Community Center to complete the loop. He added that he is also working on possible funding to install a sidewalk from Dunkirk City Pool south along Hoover Street to North Street.

•Was asked to review a draft of the city’s new handbook. Council in May hired Indianapolis human resources consulting firm New Focus to review its existing handbook and make updates at a cost of $5,000. The updates are being made to reflect changes in ordinances and policies that have been implemented since the last update about seven years ago.

•Approved the following: A water bill adjustment of $296.94; and claims totaling $168,222.08.