BEDFORD — It's been three-plus years since Bedford was awarded the Stellar Communities grant, and in 2017, the city is ramping up for what will be the busiest year for completing the ambitious list of projects it unveiled in 2013.
The moving of the historic Milwaukee Depot was the major project the city undertook in 2016. With its interior rehabilitation nearly complete, the city looks to unveil it to the public soon. Original ceiling beams, windows and hardware were restored and many elements were painted the original 1899 color used when the depot was built. The only exterior work that remains is installing a sidewalk on J Street that is compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. That work will be part of the downtown streetscape plan which will begin this spring.
In 2017, the downtown will be the center of three Stellar projects. Set to begin this year are the downtown streetscape project, the construction of the StoneGate Arts & Education Center at 15th and J streets and the downtown facade project.
Marla Jones, business and community development director for Bedford, updated the Bedford City Council on Stellar projects last week at its February meeting.
A pre-construction meeting will take place Monday with Weddle Bros. Highway Group, the contractor for the streetscape project. Jones said construction on the $2,160,413 project should begin within a month following the meeting.
The streetscape work will concentrate on merging safety, functionality and visual appeal around the Bedford square while providing greater convenience and accessibility to pedestrians. This will be completed by adding benches, tables, additional handicap ramps, bike racks, trash receptacles, sidewalk bump-outs and trees.
The Bedford Limestone Trail, which was included in the original streetscape plan, was separated from the project to control costs. Jones said the city still plans to construct the pedestrian/bike trail along Lincoln Avenue. It is set for bid-letting in fall 2019.
"This project could have died on the vine without the good work of the INDOT team," she said.
Construction of StoneGate Arts & Education Center in downtown Bedford is the largest of the three 2017 downtown projects.
The city will tear down the old JCPenney building and build a new, three-story limestone-clad building in its place. StoneGate will provide a state-of-the-art building for education, workforce development and professional training through a collaboration with Oakland City University, Ivy Tech Community College, Vincennes University, West Gate Academy, North Lawrence Career Center and Radius Indiana.
The estimated cost of the new, three-story building will be $4.2 million. It won't have a basement, unlike the Penney building, and will be more cost effective than if the city had renovated the old structure, which was plagued by basement flooding.
Jones said the city is currently awaiting final state approval of the project, followed by an April/May bid-letting. Construction of the building is expected to begin this summer and will be completed in 2018.
"It's a remarkable timeline considering we started over from scratch," said Bedford Mayor Shawna Girgis.
Originally, the city planned to build-out from the Penney building, but after bids came in $1.4 million over budget last July, the city scrapped that plan in favor of new construction.
A construction timeline on the downtown facade project is still pending. Jones explained that project funding has been delayed because of a change in personnel at the state level.
"We've been working with different people and funding hasn't been transferred," she said.
Once funds are available, she expects work to begin "very soon." Work will include window replacements, masonry tuckpointing and structural improvements. Total project budget is $826,000. Primary funding agency is the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. About 15 buildings will receive improvements with building owners paying 20 percent of the cost.
Harp Commons, which was expanded to become a large gathering place for community events with a stage and lawn, will be finished this year. Jones said outside seating, iron fencing, canopy and picnic tables will be added.
Still on the list of Stellar projects are gateways to mark the entrances to Bedford. Jones said the city plans to work with students at Indiana University through the Sustainable Hoosier Communities pilot program and Bedford Revitalization Inc. on the final design.
The Stellar program is a state effort that uses money from the Indiana Department of Transportation, the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority and the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs to make significant differences in Indiana cities. Millions of dollars have been directed to the city to address education, jobs training, downtown redevelopment, senior housing and quality of life.