Income survey will aid parking garage project

Simple logic surviving from the 1960s suggests, "if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem."

Parking has long been a problem in downtown Greencastle, and now you have a chance to be part of the solution. Especially, if you have been randomly chosen, that is.

A 150-space parking garage for the downtown is one of the proposed community-enhancing projects slated to be funded by the $19 million City of Greencastle Stellar Community Grant.

Randomly chosen Greencastle citizens this week received a letter from the West Central Indiana Economic Development District, asking them to complete an income survey.

In order for the city to receive the federally funded Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), the special income survey must be completed. All information will be kept confidential and will be evaluated by the Indiana Grants Management staff.

Residents were anonymously asked to provide the number of persons living in the household; whether they are above or below an income limit for size of household; and the appropriate ethnicity of those residing in the household.

"I just met with our grant administrator on the parking structure," Mayor Sue Murray said Wednesday afternoon, "and she (Kristy Jerrell) said we needed 40 more completed income surveys to reach our goal."

Final results of the survey will give IHCDA (Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority) the opportunity to make a definitive decision as to where grant funding specifically would come from for the garage project.

"The surveys were sent out randomly to addresses within the city limits," the mayor said, "and that is why the Banner Graphic and some other businesses did receive them."

The original investment matrix city officials were given by the state showed IHCDA awarding Greencastle up to $3.65 million for land acquisition, design and construction of a parking structure.

"There is also anticipation of local match," the mayor added, "with a final figure still to be determined."

As she mentioned last Thursday during a public meeting at DePauw University's Center for Contemporary Media, Mayor Murray said "we will be revisiting all site options to be sure we are making this investment in the best location possible."

The parking garage project is tentatively scheduled for construction completion in the third year of the three-year Stellar Grant timeline.

West Central officials note that it is "extremely important that all answers on the survey be completed and the survey returned within three days of receiving it."

A self-addressed, stamped envelope has been provided for that purpose.

Anyone who has questions about the survey is asked to contact Kristy Jerrell, certified grant administrator, at West Central, at 812-238-1561, Ext. 253.