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PIERCETON - Getting to and from Pierceton Elementary School is a little easier and safer for students and the community thanks to a completed sidewalk project along Third, Seventh and School streets.
Thursday afternoon, the many people and organizations who made the sidewalks possible gathered at the intersection of the two streets for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Whitko Community Schools Superintendent Dr. Amy Korus, who grew up in Pierceton, kicked off the ceremony, stating, “It’s an honor to stand before you as we gather to celebrate something simple, yet deeply meaningful: the opening of our new sidewalk right here in Pierceton. It isn’t just about concrete and construction, it’s about connection - connecting our neighborhoods, our families and our memories.”
After recounting some of the places she would walk or bike to in her childhood in the town, she said, “Those sidewalks helped shape my childhood. They were more than just a way to get from point A to point B. They were the backdrop to growing up, learning independence and building lots of friendships. And now with the opening of this new sidewalk, we’re giving the same opportunity to the next generation.”
Whether it’s kids walking to school, neighbors greeting each other on evening strolls or families making new memories together, Korus said, “This addition will serve as the foundation for connection, safety and community.”
She thanked everyone who made the sidewalks possible.
The project spans the east side of Seventh Street, the south side of School Street and the east side of Third Street. Improvements include the installation of 6-foot-wide concrete sidewalks, ADA-compliant ramps, driveway enhancements and seeding. In total, approximately 2,600 feet of new sidewalk was installed.
Glenn Hall, Pierceton Town Council president, said, “We’re here to celebrate the completion of another great project for the town of Pierceton. The completion of this sidewalk project is the culmination of over two years of working together with many, many partners. It demonstrates that Pierceton is dedicated to improving our town, creating a safe and lovely place for our residents, visitors to be able to live, work and play.”
The prior town council laid out a great vision and “we’re now standing here at the results of that vision,” he said.
Hall thanked a list of partners on the project, including the Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA), who set up the Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program (HELP) that assists small towns and communities around the state; Kosciusko County commissioners for allowing the town to take part in HELP and for their support; Kosciusko County Community Coordinator Amy Roe for her tireless and energy; the Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG) for all the help with grants, forms and red tape; Fleis & Vandenbrink, engineering firm, for their help and guidance; and Phend & Brown, the contractor who did all the construction work.
Additionally, Hall thanked his fellow council members, the clerk-treasurer, street department manager and the town attorney for their “invaluable” support and efforts.
“Finally, I’d like to thank the town of Pierceton residents, and especially those along School and Third streets, for their patience and understanding as we all had a lot to learn through this project,” Hall stated. “... I think, as you will see as you look at our sidewalk project, that it’s a major improvement to our town. I believe that we live in one of the most vibrant and enticing small towns in the county, and I hope this will be another indication to all the small towns and communities of Kosciusko County as to what can be accomplished when we all work together.”
Sue Ann Mitchell, northern district Kosciusko County commissioner, said, “All of this happened because of a vision in many different communities, and it didn’t happen by accident. I would be very remiss, obviously, if we did not recognize Amy Roe.”
After a round of applause for Roe, Mitchell recognized Cary Groninger, middle district county commissioner, who “has worked tirelessly on this project, along with everything else - the water that he has carried for the county - and that is Cary Groninger. Everybody needs to realize the importance of Cary in our community and what he contributes to the commissioners.”
Mitchell continued, “As we moved forward with this, it came before the council to do the funding and then it came to the commissioners, and we managed to move it through that. And then through Amy’s great efforts, Amy has been able to pull towns together within their unit. She’s been able to pull communities together, which is a great thing to have communities talking one to another.”
She said it was great that so many people came from different places to be a part of Thursday’s ceremony, that so many people do care and the effort that was put into the project. It takes dedication to make things like the sidewalk project happen, she said.
“What would be better in a community, as I look at this, what would be better than to guarantee that kids can get to where they need to go and get there safely. I just believe that’s a great thing, a great accomplishment,” Mitchell stated.
She lauded the efforts of MACOG, who has been there on the project from the get-go. “And what great partners they have been. In my conversations with Amy, I know that that has been a huge boost for everything, because it could not have been done without (MACOG),” she stated, adding that Roe is the Energizer bunny of Kosciusko County.
OCRA Executive Director Fred Glynn recognized Roe, saying she was endlessly energetic and made sure that OCRA had a presence on the project, and OCRA Community Liaison Lindsey Hammond.
“This is the kind of thing that OCRA’s about when you look. It’s coming to these communities like this, the roots, the rural communities, and making things happen like this for community of place, pride of place, capacity building. So we’re really happy to be part of that,” he said.
He congratulated the town and Kosciusko County.
“I think this is going to be a great thing for you and we’re very glad to be a part of it and glad to be here. Congratulations,” Glynn concluded.
OCRA provided a large share of the funding for the sidewalk project.
Before cutting the ribbon, Pierceton Chamber of Commerce President David Jost said, “These sort of improvements in town are noticed. We host a lot of visitors that come in from out of town to visit our community, and we’ve just been hearing a lot of great feedback. This town is just seen as one that is progressing. It’s growing in its own ways and this is just a great example of that.”
