Bremen officials are preparing for this summer’s downtown revitalization project.
Town Attorney Anthony Wagner told the Town Council members this week that he and Bremen Director of Operations Trend Weldy are working collecting all of the deed and easement information and owner identification needed from the downtown business owners in order to do a curb and sidewalk project.
Weldy noted that they’re trying to have all of the downtown business owners sign a permanent easement agreement with the town.
“That says we’re going to maintain the concrete and the sidewalks,” stated Weldy. “We’re not going to maintain it by shoveling, yet, so I can’t say that. If the sidewalk has a problem, we’re going to replace it. That’s part of the deal with the easement.”
Once the project gets started, Weldy said there will be access to businesses, but it may be limited.
“There’s a crushed limestone that people can use for walkways. It won’t be perfect, but when everything is under construction you can put up a sign that says ‘under construction, travel at your own risk’. I think you can get away with it because everybody knows, but that’s a conversation I’ll have to have with Mr. Miller, our insurance guy.”
The sidewalk project is coordinated in conjunction with INDOT’s plans to reconstruct State Road 106 from Montgomery Street to Washington Street. The plan is to lower the street eight to ten inches. INDOT will provide funding for that part of the project that is estimated around $1.3 million. The Town of Bremen will replace the curbs and sidewalks and install new lighting.
