Syracuse Planning For Summer
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By John DeGroff-
Mark Bumgartner, co-chair of the train depot committee, addressed the council in regard to the group's initial efforts in organizing to protect the depot. The building dates back to the early 1900s and is currently owned by the CSX rail line. It has been unused for some time, and sits in an operational rail yard.
For the depot to be preserved, it would have to be moved to another site, and CSX and the depot committee have yet to agree on a time frame for the project. Overall, it could take 18 months or longer to complete the project. In order to proceed with a grant application to help pay for the project, Bumgartner said a time frame needed to be established.
It's estimated that it would cost $330,000 to move the building, and the depot committee wants to pursue a grant for up to $500,000.
Bob Murphy, of R.P. Murphy Consultants, has been working with the committee to see what grants would actually be available to help cover the cost of the project. According to Murphy, the first part of the process is to send a letter to Indianapolis to get a planning grant application, which would have to be applied for by the town. This would cost $10,000, with a needed local match of $1,000, and could take up to six months. Since the depot committee has only met twice so far, they have yet to do any fundraising activities.
Issues of concern that were raised by the council dealt with the money involved, the time frame for the project, and whether or not existing building codes would be applicable to the structure. The debate that followed this centered on the building being of historic significance, and since neighbors adjacent to the depot have had to comply with building codes, could the town allow the depot to sit on site with no renovation for an extended period of time before it was moved.
The issue of the actual end use of the depot also was discussed. Suggested possibilities ranged from turning the structure into a museum, using it for a meeting hall, or retail space of some sort.
After more discussion, it was agreed by the council for Council President Paul Stoelting to sign a letter of intent to seek the applicable grant.
The council then moved on to the awarding of the trash removal contract for the town.
Three companies - Allied Waste, Waste Management, and Borden Wasteway - all made bids for this contract. Borden Wasteway, the current contractor, was awarded the job, which is a three-year contract. This represents a Monday only pickup, with base response and alternate recycling. Total first-year cost will be $120,546; second year cost, $125,341.20; and third year, $129,736.80.
In the police department report presented to council, it was stated that the April 28 "Freedom Ride and Concert" was a success. The Syracuse Police Department thanked Kosciusko County Sheriff Rocky Goshert for sending officers to help with security.
Friday, the "Cruise In" Car Show will be held again at McDonalds, and the Kiwanis Car Show will be held at the Community Center Saturday. Long Drive will be closed from Washington Street to North Shore Drive from early morning until after the events.
The records management system approved by the council for the police department has been ordered and is scheduled to be installed by June, it was reported.
There will be the usual parade route for Memorial Day, from Medusa Street to the cemetery on Huntington Street.
During the past month, the Syracuse Police Department answered a total of 318 calls for service. Fire department calls within the city were 447, and 55 in the township.
The public works department reported they were able to begin several outdoor maintenance projects typical for spring. These included restoration of yard damage from snow plows, restoration of sites from fall tree removal, and grounds cleanup.
The street department reported that repair work to the Chicago Street and Syracuse Webster road intersection has been completed by Phend & Brown.
In other business:
n The council paid claims for May 2007 in the amount of $469,760.63.
n The beach will be open with lifeguards beginning May 26.
n The American Legion has donated a sign at Veterans Memorial Park at Crosson Mill.
n Kenneth Plickerd has been hired by the parks department for the season to serve as groundskeeper.
n The Lakeside concession stand is tentatively set to open Memorial Day weekend.
n The Trail Committee continues to work on getting various projects - Northshore, Eastshore, the high school, and Pickwick Road - done in time for summer.
n Music in the park is scheduled for July 4, 12, 19, 26 and Aug. 2, 9, 16.
Syracuse Town Council members are: Larry Siegel, Bill Musser, Cassie Cowan, Brian Woody and Paul Stoelting.[[In-content Ad]]
Mark Bumgartner, co-chair of the train depot committee, addressed the council in regard to the group's initial efforts in organizing to protect the depot. The building dates back to the early 1900s and is currently owned by the CSX rail line. It has been unused for some time, and sits in an operational rail yard.
For the depot to be preserved, it would have to be moved to another site, and CSX and the depot committee have yet to agree on a time frame for the project. Overall, it could take 18 months or longer to complete the project. In order to proceed with a grant application to help pay for the project, Bumgartner said a time frame needed to be established.
It's estimated that it would cost $330,000 to move the building, and the depot committee wants to pursue a grant for up to $500,000.
Bob Murphy, of R.P. Murphy Consultants, has been working with the committee to see what grants would actually be available to help cover the cost of the project. According to Murphy, the first part of the process is to send a letter to Indianapolis to get a planning grant application, which would have to be applied for by the town. This would cost $10,000, with a needed local match of $1,000, and could take up to six months. Since the depot committee has only met twice so far, they have yet to do any fundraising activities.
Issues of concern that were raised by the council dealt with the money involved, the time frame for the project, and whether or not existing building codes would be applicable to the structure. The debate that followed this centered on the building being of historic significance, and since neighbors adjacent to the depot have had to comply with building codes, could the town allow the depot to sit on site with no renovation for an extended period of time before it was moved.
The issue of the actual end use of the depot also was discussed. Suggested possibilities ranged from turning the structure into a museum, using it for a meeting hall, or retail space of some sort.
After more discussion, it was agreed by the council for Council President Paul Stoelting to sign a letter of intent to seek the applicable grant.
The council then moved on to the awarding of the trash removal contract for the town.
Three companies - Allied Waste, Waste Management, and Borden Wasteway - all made bids for this contract. Borden Wasteway, the current contractor, was awarded the job, which is a three-year contract. This represents a Monday only pickup, with base response and alternate recycling. Total first-year cost will be $120,546; second year cost, $125,341.20; and third year, $129,736.80.
In the police department report presented to council, it was stated that the April 28 "Freedom Ride and Concert" was a success. The Syracuse Police Department thanked Kosciusko County Sheriff Rocky Goshert for sending officers to help with security.
Friday, the "Cruise In" Car Show will be held again at McDonalds, and the Kiwanis Car Show will be held at the Community Center Saturday. Long Drive will be closed from Washington Street to North Shore Drive from early morning until after the events.
The records management system approved by the council for the police department has been ordered and is scheduled to be installed by June, it was reported.
There will be the usual parade route for Memorial Day, from Medusa Street to the cemetery on Huntington Street.
During the past month, the Syracuse Police Department answered a total of 318 calls for service. Fire department calls within the city were 447, and 55 in the township.
The public works department reported they were able to begin several outdoor maintenance projects typical for spring. These included restoration of yard damage from snow plows, restoration of sites from fall tree removal, and grounds cleanup.
The street department reported that repair work to the Chicago Street and Syracuse Webster road intersection has been completed by Phend & Brown.
In other business:
n The council paid claims for May 2007 in the amount of $469,760.63.
n The beach will be open with lifeguards beginning May 26.
n The American Legion has donated a sign at Veterans Memorial Park at Crosson Mill.
n Kenneth Plickerd has been hired by the parks department for the season to serve as groundskeeper.
n The Lakeside concession stand is tentatively set to open Memorial Day weekend.
n The Trail Committee continues to work on getting various projects - Northshore, Eastshore, the high school, and Pickwick Road - done in time for summer.
n Music in the park is scheduled for July 4, 12, 19, 26 and Aug. 2, 9, 16.
Syracuse Town Council members are: Larry Siegel, Bill Musser, Cassie Cowan, Brian Woody and Paul Stoelting.[[In-content Ad]]
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