BEDFORD — Bedford's Stellar Community projects are proceeding on schedule and on budget, according to a 44-page report the city recently submitted to state officials.
Mayor Shawna Girgis and Marla Jones, the city's business and community development director, shared that report with city council members last week. The document was prepared for the state agencies overseeing the grants that are funding the Stellar Communities projects. Those agencies include the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, the Indiana Department of Transportation and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs.
"Obviously they had lots of questions at the state level, but they're excited about the progress," Jones said.
The Stellar program is a state effort that uses money from the three agencies — the Indiana Department of Transportation, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority and the Office of Community and Rural Affairs — to make significant differences in communities. Local communities chosen for the Stellar grants also must have local investment in the program.
In Bedford’s case, the city could see an investment of some $19.8 million in public and private funds to renovate and revitalize the downtown.
Jones provided a project-by-project snapshot during the council's meeting last week.
Milwaukee Depot: The project will move the depot from its current location about 1,200 feer south to the southwest corner of 14th and J streets. Design work, as well as engineering and environmental studies, are under way. The physical work is to start in mid-2015 and be completed by the end of 2016. Jones noted that part of the lot at 14th and J street has "a lot of soft fill." Engineers are designing a small basement area there to house mechanical equipment for the building.
Limestone Trail: Design work will stretch through 2015, with construction slated for 2016.
Downtown Streetscape: The project will see improvements to sidewalks, lights and other features on all four sides of the courthouse square. Construction is scheduled for 2016.
Stonecutters Place: The project is transforming the former Carriage House Furniture Store at 16th and K streets into a 30-apartment complex for seniors. The building to the east is to be demolished, and a new structure will be built to attach to the Carriage House building. Construction is under way now and is scheduled to be finished in the last quarter of 2015. Occupancy is scheduled for early 2016.
Business Development: The city and the Lawrence Economic Growth Council will use state funding to purchase a downtown building. Working with Radius Indiana, the entities will encourage and mentor start-up businesses, help with business plans and make small business loans. This is still in the planning and development stage.
Stone Gate Arts and Education Center: The idea is to transform the former JC Penny building at 15th and J streets into a facility for college classes and arts and cultural events. Design and planning work continues. The document did not list a timeline for construction.
Facade Restoration: Jones has met with many of the downtown building owners who have shown interest in the facade project. The city's goal is to submit construction grant paperwork to the state by September or October 2015.
Courthouse Grounds: This community-funded project will make several improvements to the Lawrence County Courthouse grounds. Construction is scheduled for 2015.
Murals: The first planned mural is to be painted on the side of the Times-Mail building at 16th and H streets. The theme is "We Are Bedford." Artist Mark Dunihue McKenzie, a Bedford native who works as a graphic designer in Chicago, submitted the winning entry. Modifications are being made to the initial design, and the mural is to be painted in 2015.
Gateways: Pillars are to be set up to welcome visitors and residents into downtown Bedford. Design is scheduled for 2015, with construction in 2016.
Jones also gave a brief update on the continuing improvements to Harp Commons, the small park on the west side of the courthouse square. It is not part of the Stellar Community list, but the city has called it a "complimentary project."