Latest news with #AndersonRedevelopmentCommission
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Contract awarded to expand water plant in Anderson
ANDERSON — A contract for expansion of the Lafayette water treatment plant has been approved by the Anderson Board of Public Works. The board on Tuesday awarded a contract in the amount of $6,016,000 to Patterson Horth to expand the water treatment plant from a capacity of 10 million gallons per day to 14 million. The engineer's estimate on the work was $6.5 million. Work is expected to start in August, according to Neal McKee, superintendent of the water department. The expansion of the plant is expected to be completed in one year. The city is planning to issue $130 million in bonds over the next three years to upgrade the water system. The council has already approved $9 million in American Rescue Plan funds, and the Anderson Redevelopment Commission is providing $19 million toward the project. All the work is scheduled to be completed by September 2029, with the initial phase starting this year. Included in the first bond is the beginning of a process to replace lead service lines in several neighborhoods and at scattered sites. It also includes the development of two new wells north of the city that will involve a new line to the Lafayette treatment plant and a new transmission line from Cross Street to the water tank on Eighth Street. The Anderson City Council has approved a rate increase for the water department. The increase is pending before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission. The last water rate increase was approved by the state in 2015. If approved, the monthly rate for an average residential customer is expected to increase from $23.51 to $55.25 starting in 2029. Large customers of the water utility will see an increase from an average of $117,772 monthly to an average of $434,171 starting in 2029. A second bond, to be issued in 2026, will be used to open a new well field and treatment plant in south Anderson and close the 75-year-old Wheeler treatment plant. The final bond issue in 2027 will be used to replace lead pipes in the remaining areas of Anderson.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Our View: Improve Anderson parks to elevate quality of life
When local government officials reach out to the community for ideas about how to provide better services, sometimes all they hear are crickets. But on March 12, when the City of Anderson conducted its second public meeting on the five-year master plan for the city's parks, the crickets got drowned out by good ideas from local residents. Candy Short expressed interest in plans for Athletic Park and for future use of the current Madison County Jail property, near the White River downtown. (A new jail is being built in north Anderson.) 'I would like to see a tribute included to the Native Americans who first settled in the area,' she said, noting that she's 'excited to see' the Athletic Park expansion project 'move forward.' City officials expect ground to be broken this year for renovations at Athletic Park. The plan includes a 2,500-seat amphitheater, restrooms, water slides, a lazy-river pool, climbing features, playground equipment, walkways, shelters and community meeting space. The Anderson Redevelopment Commission has dedicated $20 million to the project, and the city has received a $1.5 million grant from the state to relocate a sewer line. City officials hope the new Athletic Park will draw visitors to the downtown area while providing more activities for Anderson residents. But Athletic Park is just one of 30 city parks in Anderson. The five-year plan should target nearly all of them for much-needed upgrades. The proposed five-year plan includes upgrading Crawford Field with a nature preserve to the west of the ballpark, as well as a playground and walking trails. The plan for Allis Park on West Eighth Street includes basketball, tennis and pickleball courts, a playground and walking trails. Tom Hodson said during the March 12 public meeting that it will be important for the city to coordinate efforts with the newly formed Madison County Parks & Recreation Department. 'They have to work together,' he said. The city is creating the new five-year plan so that local parks qualify for state and federal funding for improvements. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources requires municipalities to file a new master plan every five years. Anderson's plan is due April 15. While the plan will bring strategic focus to needs such as park access, safety and equipment, Angie Strickler pointed out at the March 12 meeting that the city needs to hire a well-qualified Parks & Recreation Department manager. The position has been vacant since Jama Donovan left it in April 2024. 'They need to develop programs,' Strickler said. 'People have been asking for that. We need activities for young people.' K'Mia Clarett also made a salient observation at the March 12 meeting. 'Lights around Shadyside Park would make it safer for people to walk there at night or in the morning,' she said. All of these points should help inform the city's five-year master parks plan. Anderson does have nice parks. But with the right plan in place, the quality of parks facilities and programming to engage locals and visitors could be improved dramatically, thereby elevating local quality of life.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bid date set to expand Anderson water treatment plant
ANDERSON — A bid date of March 18 has been set for the expansion of the Lafayette water treatment plant. The Anderson Board of Works on Tuesday approved the request of Neal McKee, superintendent of the water department, to set the date to accept bids. McKee said the planned work would expand the capacity of the plant from 10 million gallons per day to 14 million. He said the work is expected to start in May or June. The city is issuing $130 million in bonds over the next three years to upgrade the water system. The council has already approved $9 million in American Rescue Plan funds, and the Anderson Redevelopment Commission is providing $19 million toward the project. All the work is scheduled to be completed by September 2029, with work on the initial phase starting later this year. Included in the first bond is the beginning of a process to replace lead service lines in several neighborhoods and at scattered sites. It also includes the development of two new wells north of the city that will include a new line to the Lafayette treatment plant and a new transmission line from Cross Street to the water tank on Eighth Street. OTHER BUSINESS The Board of Works approved a contract with DC Construction in the amount of $252,838 for the resurfacing of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard near Madison Avenue. City Engineer Matt House said the estimate was $247,970 for the paving work. The board approved a contract with EP Collaboration in the amount of $32,800 that was requested by the Anderson Community Development Department. The contract runs through 2030 and includes work on the consolidated strategic plan and fair housing.
