Inflation has delayed the highly anticipated rebuild of the eastern part of old Highway 50 through Washington. With bids coming in nearly $8 million over the estimated costs, the Indiana Department of Transportation rejected all bids. Following recommendations from project engineers, the City Council has decided to cut the remaining old Highway 50 project into phases and rebid the project. INDOT had previously agreed to use state and federal funding to pay the costs of the project and was the lead entity in receiving bids. Nick Jahn of VS Engineering and Richard Burch of Midwestern Engineers discussed the bids and their implications for the city. Jahn told the Council that Washington has three options: rebid the project as is, phase the project and rebid, or do nothing and let the project die. The Council was in agreement that it was important to keep moving forward on the project. Jahn and Burch suggested doing the Highway 50 project in two phases, one from S.E. Third Street to State Road 257 and the other from SR 257 to State Street. Jahn said that INDOT would continue to help with the funding for the project. The Council agreed with Jahn and Burch’s recommendations and will reconfigure the project and rebid it in October with an eye to starting construction on the 3rd Street to the 257 phase in the spring of 2024. The remaining phase will wait until 2028, when state funding for the project will be available. Jahn did say that since the project is “shovel ready,” the state could move the project up on its calendar if other communities backed away from their approved projects, as several are doing.
In other business, the Council heard from Jeremy Adams and Tom Rucker representing Discover Downtown Washington. The organization is working to revitalize downtown Washington and asked the city’s help with its Quick Impact Facade Grant program, which will give $3,500 matching grants to property owners of commercial or apartment buildings in the downtown area. With the impact of the Commins project and the potential influx of new residents, Discover Downtown Washington is looking to make the area an attractive retail, tourist, and dining area. The Council agreed to contribute $20,000 in economic development funds toward the project.
Prior to the meeting, Mayor Rhoads administered the oath of office to Washington’s newest police officers, Chamar Sherrod and Jaime Rojas. Sherrod is a native of Michigan City and attended Vincennes University, where he met his fiancé. Rojas is a native of Washington and a graduate of Washington High School. They were both excited to join the Washington Police Department and protect the citizens of the community.
Following the council meeting, Mayor Rhoads gave his annual state of the city address. The complete address can be heard on WAMW’s website at wamwamfm.com. The Washington Board of Works and Safety met and approved a bid for the city’s sidewalk renewal program. Hard Rock, the only bidder, was awarded the contract. In other business, the board approved the promotion of Eddie Cornelius to assistant park superintendent and the promotions of Mike Roach and Gerald Morgan in the waste water department.
Jaime Rojas and Chamar Sherrod
