Federal stimulus money sought for projects for Tell City

TELL CITY - While Congress debates an $800 billion stimulus package, Tell City's mayor has already suggested several projects that could benefit from federal funding.

A letter forwarded to the Indiana Department of Transportation this month seeks money for five projects valued at more than $1.3  million.

The city has no assurances it will receive funding, but Mayor Barbara Ewing said it was important to provide INDOT with a list of projects that could begin soon.

President Barack Obama and Congress are proposing hundreds of billions of dollars in federal spending on infrastructure projects to create jobs and stimulate the struggling national economy.  

City Projects

Tell City is seeking up to $250,000 for a riverfront walkway planned for several years on city-owned land between the river and floodwall. Tell City has already received a $129,875 grant from the Indiana Department of Natural Resources and pledged a $60,000 local contribution.

Another $14,016 has been promised by the Perry County Community Foundation to purchase trail benches and picnic tables.

"This project is ready for immediate bid-letting, based on available funding," the city's letter to INDOT engineer Brian Malone states.

Another project that might benefit from federal funding is along a ditch near Windy Creek on the north side of Pestalozzi Street between 17th and 18th streets. The city is asking for up to $400,000 to correct drainage that has caused erosion. Engineering reviews of the area have been completed and "funding of this project is a major obstacle," the city wrote.

INDOT is being asked to consider up to $350,000 to help resurface streets in the city. An evaluation of city streets last year identified 2008 repaving projects worth $1.2 million, including $574,000 in critical street maintenance.

City coffers were able to provide approximately $300,000 within its street-maintenance fund.

"Additional funding would be of great benefit in Tell City's ongoing street-maintenance program," the city's letter states.

Another $250,000 is sought for improvements to the intersection of Mozart Street and Old Indiana 237. The city would like to widen the street in the area and align the intersection with Mozart Street and new Indiana 237. Like the Windy Creek area, the city has already completed a review of the project and is ready to move ahead with the funding.

The city's smallest request is for $65,000 to repair the stone wall fronting City Hall Park along Main street. Money would allow the wall, which now leans toward Main Street, to be repaired and additional sidewalks around City Hall to be made accessible to people with disabilities. City leaders talked about repairing the wall for years but have not been able to find the money.

Other Projects

Ewing said other potential projects will be proposed at Monday's city meetings and will be presented to the Office of Community and Rural Affairs.

Ewing said funding will likely be sought for a planned lift station on Pestalozzi Street as well as ongoing plans for the city's long-term control plan to control combined sewers. Funding will also be sought for painting a city-owned water tower in its industrial park north of Troy.