Pierceton Works To Clean Up Abandoned Downtown Building
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
PIERCETON - Progress on possible cleanup at an abandoned gas station is moving as slowly as the building is falling down around itself.
For more than two years, the town has been trying to secure grant money for the site and, although a grant was received for testing on the site, it may be 1999 before anything can be seen as progress.
The Pierceton Town Council told concerned citizens at its meeting on Monday that soil testing to determine the extent of contamination, if any, has been completed. However, the results - expected four to six weeks from the testing date - aren't due back for another two weeks. Once those are learned, the town will decide whether it will be feasible to clean up the site. Grants will also be sought for that work, but it's not guaranteed that the town will receive money on its first application.
If contamination is extensive, the town does not want to strap residents or itself with the costs, which could top $1 million. The property can be taken by the town at no cost because the owner is delinquent on taxes, but the town's attorney has cautioned officials not to move too quickly because of the possible cost of the "free" property.
If all goes well, though, the town hopes to be able to level the building, located at the northwest corner of Market and First streets, and build a senior citizen center on the site. Public input will be sought on the matter.
Although complaints about the abandoned filling station seen as an eyesore to the town have been received, the situation became more intense last July when a portion of the structure collapsed. Since that time, the building has been slowly falling down a little more, and some residents are concerned about the dangers involved with area children seen playing in or around the site.
In other business, Tim Kelly of Murphy & Associates told the council that a release of funds has been received for the grant for road work at Arnolt Industrial Park and the project can start as soon as the job is bid.
As part of the requirements of the grant, a committee must be set up to set wage rates.
That committee, comprising one person appointed by the governor, one by the Labor Board, one by the county and two by the town, will meet at 6 p.m. Feb. 23 in the community building.
The next council meeting is at 7:30 p.m. March 9 in the community building. [[In-content Ad]]
PIERCETON - Progress on possible cleanup at an abandoned gas station is moving as slowly as the building is falling down around itself.
For more than two years, the town has been trying to secure grant money for the site and, although a grant was received for testing on the site, it may be 1999 before anything can be seen as progress.
The Pierceton Town Council told concerned citizens at its meeting on Monday that soil testing to determine the extent of contamination, if any, has been completed. However, the results - expected four to six weeks from the testing date - aren't due back for another two weeks. Once those are learned, the town will decide whether it will be feasible to clean up the site. Grants will also be sought for that work, but it's not guaranteed that the town will receive money on its first application.
If contamination is extensive, the town does not want to strap residents or itself with the costs, which could top $1 million. The property can be taken by the town at no cost because the owner is delinquent on taxes, but the town's attorney has cautioned officials not to move too quickly because of the possible cost of the "free" property.
If all goes well, though, the town hopes to be able to level the building, located at the northwest corner of Market and First streets, and build a senior citizen center on the site. Public input will be sought on the matter.
Although complaints about the abandoned filling station seen as an eyesore to the town have been received, the situation became more intense last July when a portion of the structure collapsed. Since that time, the building has been slowly falling down a little more, and some residents are concerned about the dangers involved with area children seen playing in or around the site.
In other business, Tim Kelly of Murphy & Associates told the council that a release of funds has been received for the grant for road work at Arnolt Industrial Park and the project can start as soon as the job is bid.
As part of the requirements of the grant, a committee must be set up to set wage rates.
That committee, comprising one person appointed by the governor, one by the Labor Board, one by the county and two by the town, will meet at 6 p.m. Feb. 23 in the community building.
The next council meeting is at 7:30 p.m. March 9 in the community building. [[In-content Ad]]