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RDC deals with new aerial truck, community center/YMCA issues
Two Greencastle projects – each expected to have long-term significance for the community – were considered by the Greencastle Redevelopment Commission (RDC) at its recent April meeting.
In separate actions, the RDC approved payment of $1,269,322 for the community’s new aerial ladder truck while also hearing Mayor Bill Dory announce plans for a May 18 public meeting to reintroduce the long-awaited community center/YMCA project.
The new fire truck, which has been included in the latest RDC area plan, is being assembled at Sutphen Corp., Dublin, Ohio, largest manufacturer of fire engines in the country.
The new truck is expected to be delivered some time in June, Mayor Dory said.
As had been the practice in recent fire truck purchases, the city has again reached out to Greencastle Township for a contribution toward the purchase. The Greencastle Fire Department covers not only the city but also Greencastle Township.
Greencastle Township Trustee Steve Butts will be taking the request to his board in the near future, the mayor noted.
In the interim, the RDC will cover the total $1.269 million cost of the new 100-foot aerial platform truck. Once the township contribution is received, the city will reimburse that total to the RDC account, along with whatever resale price can be realized from the old aerial truck purchased in 1986.
On a motion from Gwen Morris, the RDC approved payment for the purchase of the fire truck unanimously.
“Thank you on behalf of the community. You’ve completed the second item in the area plan already,” Mayor Dory responded, alluding to the other project as the southern extension of Calbert Way into the planned community location east of the Walmart store.
Turning his attention to the community center project, the mayor noted that the request for proposals for a construction management firm has gone out.
A committee, including members of the RDC (Drew Brattain and Gary Lemon have volunteered), City Council and others, is expected to whittle the candidates done to two, who would then be interviewed in person.
City Attorney Laurie Hardwick, who has labored over the lease contract for the city- YMCA-Putnam County Hospital partnership in the center, said there are still outstanding issues “because we don’t have a construction manager or a design or a guaranteed maximum price yet.”
Councilman Dave Murray, in attendance at the RDC session, said he would like to see a meeting about the community center lease set up between Council and RDC representatives hopefully before the May 18 public meeting (an evening session has been set but no time or place yet announced) on the project status.
“We don’t want to walk into that May 18 meeting with loose ends,” Murray said.
“It’s like a 10,000-foot view right now,” Mayor Dory said. “If someone wants to know if there’s an outlet on that wall, we’re not going to know” but for sure the community center will have basketball courts, workout space, a track and other amenities, he added.
In other business, the RDC:
• Heard the mayor report that Community Crossings work will start June 1, weather permitting, on projects along Round Barn Road and along the east and south sides of Robe-Ann Park (Wood and Tennessee streets).
• Approved the $244,810 local match for the Community Crossings project.
• Heard Mayor Dory note that he will bring a sidewalk project before the RDC for funding to continue sidewalk work to fill in gaps along Indianapolis Road as well as along Jackson Street from Hanna Street to Sunset Drive.
RDC member Lottie Barcus joined Mayor Dory, Councilman Murray and City Attorney Laurie Hardwick in person at City Hall with Erika Gilmore, Morris, Lemon and Brattain attending via Zoom. Ex-officio member Brian Cox, representing Greencastle Schools, was also on Zoom.
The next meeting of the RDC is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 26 at City Hall.