As Town of Bremen officials work ahead of the downtown revitalization streetscape project, town council members fielded a complaint about sidewalk conditions during their meeting last week.
An employee at a doctor’s office in the 100 block of West Plymouth Street said at least two lawsuits are pending with the company due to sidewalk conditions. The town worked to grind down an unleveled portion of the sidewalk there which she said helped, but she inquired specifically about responsibility of removal of snow and ice.
Bremen Director of Operations Trend Weldy said business owners know that it is their responsibility but not all respond positively to that direction. He said at times he goes out and does it himself if it gets really bad. He said a town ordinance requires all property owners to remove snow and ice from sidewalks within 24 hours of a winter weather event. Residents who otherwise have a difficult time removing snow may ask the town for assistance.
As for the uneven sidewalks, most of the issues should be remedied when the downtown revitalization project gets underway this summer. The project involves INDOT’s plans to reconstruct State Road 106, or Plymouth Street, 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. It was also noted that one business plans to have a heated sidewalk with the new project which is a little more expensive, but can be considered.
