Culver Town Manager Jonathan Leist delivered some “stellar” news Tuesday night to the town council members pertaining to funding for projects within the town’s designation as a Stellar Community.
“We had our first meeting with the grant administrative staff from the state and found out for our Community Development Block Grant funding through OCRA that they basically set aside $2 million for us,” said Leist. “A lot of that we’ll use at the Culver Beach Lodge and Cavalier Sports Park. That is a significant chunk of change that won’t require a local match at all. It’s very good news!”
The bad news is the walking and biking trail will experience a delay.
“It sounds like INDOT construction funds won’t be available for a few years for the trail, sidewalks or the Jefferson Street projects so those might have to move toward the end of the three to four year period.”
Culver Redevelopment Commission President Rich West said while construction work will be delayed progress on other aspects prior to that portion can begin on the walking and biking trail.
“That doesn’t preclude us from doing the first section which is through the easement and also through the park and right-of-ways and things like that up to Washington Street” commented West. All of that can proceed – it’s just the construction itself that has to wait.”
The council members did approve a motion to allow Grant Writer Shannon McLoed from Priority Project Resources to move forward with environmental reviews for Community Development Block Grant funded projects including work on the Culver Beach Lodge and Cavalier Park. The town’s income survey is expiring at the end of May so it was encouraged to have grant applications ready by the time it expires so another survey doesn’t need to be conducted.
