The extension of the Purple Heart Parkway from U.S. 231 South to Ladoga Road took a major step forward.
On Monday, Montgomery County Commissioners opened bids from five contractors. Commissioners expect to accept a bid at their Feb. 12 meeting.
All five bids came under the engineer’s estimate of $6.143 million. The least expensive bid was received from Crider and Crider of Bloomington in the amount of $5.3 million. Montgomery County Highway Director Jake Lough will review the bids and make a recommendation to commissioners.
Commissioners expect the project to begin in the fall.
Commissioners approved the re-zoning of property in the 2600 block of U.S. 231 South. Property owner Larry Smith requested re-zoning the 47 acres which is presently used for agriculture. His request was approved by the Plan Commission earlier this month. The parcel is located south of the Green Street Leasing Inc. property at 2593 S. U.S. 231. A subdivision known as Brown Addition lies to the south of the Smith property being re-zoned.
Smith will split 4.5 acres of the property for the development of a new Bobcat of Lafayette Equipment and Implement dealership. Smith added that the new dealership is expected to bring 15-20 jobs to the county including mechanics and service and sales personnel.
Shawn Howard, who resides in the Brown Addition, said he was not opposed to the project but would like re-assurance that any development of the remaining 39.5 acres would go through the same process with local residents being able to have a voice.
Montgomery County Building Director Marc Bonwell told Howard the process will be the same and that the public will have several opportunities to voice any future concerns regarding future development projects.
Smith intends to continue crop farming on the remaining 39.5 acres at this time.
Commissioners accepted a $1.22 million bid from Howard Contractors for the projects financed by the Community Crossings grant. The road improvement work will begin this summer. The project will be funding with the state’s $1 million grant and the county highway department budget.
Lough told commissioners the state has released additional funds for local government funds for work to be completed in 2024. The county is eligible to for an additional $500,000. USI Consultants will assist the county in preparing the application for the grant funds. The new funds would finance the following projects: six miles of Nucor Road and approximately seven miles of road segments in various subdivisions. The cost of hiring USI Inc. will be $25,000 and will be paid by Cumulative Capital Development Funds on hand.
DES Civil and Environmental Engineering will perform a study on the county landfill. The project will include completing a detailed topographic mapping of the entire landfill to show post construction and current landfill conditions. The mapping will allow the county to identify remaining areas that need additional landfill.
In other business, commissioners:
• Approved three contracts totaling $63,130 with GUTS to provide software, support and maintenance of financial activities within the treasurer’s office.
