Goshen News, Goshen, IN

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February 2, 2010

Community Center study approved by Goshen Council

GOSHEN, Ind — Initial efforts for a Goshen community center are moving forward.

According to Goshen Community Center Board member Bill Rieth, speaking at the City Council’s meeting Tuesday evening, the total cost for development of a business plan and completion of a feasibility study, a conceptual design and site assessments will be between $70,000 and $80,000.

Thus far, the board has collected $30,000 worth of pledges, $5,700 from the Redevelopment Commission and 25 percent (maximum of $15,000) from Goshen Community Schools. Of that, $10,000 is already in hand. The resolution before the council asked for the city to provide the remainder of the funding.

Councilwoman Dixie Robinson came out strongly against the resolution, arguing not against its benefits, but on the basis that there are people in the community still hurting and to spend thousands of dollars on the community center study would raise their ire.

Councilman Darryl Riegsecker sided with Robinson pointing out that the city shouldn’t be getting into large proposals such as a community center with all the financial issues it is currently facing. Resident Bob Schrameyer questioned where the funding would come from for such a large project.

Council members Julia Gautsche and Chic Lantz both favor the resolution.

The council approved the resolution 4-2, with Riegsecker and Tom Stump casting the dissenting votes. Robinson clarified that she was only voting in favor of the study and that she felt the project was one the city didn’t need to do.

Sidewalk resolution

A resolution to encourage residents to remove snow and ice from their sidewalks and the sidewalks in front of homes of disabled or elderly residents was approved.

Discussion on the resolution again drew resident Angel Crist, who gave a tearful statement about the state of sidewalks in her neighborhood near Prairie View Elementary School. Her mother, Sandra Carter, also spoke.

Brownfield coordinator

Due to the increase in brownfield remediation work in the city as well as the receipt of nearly $3 million in state loans and federal awards for said work, approval was given to the creation of a brownfield coordinator position. The coordinator will handle loan requirements for reporting, coordination of contractors hired to oversee and complete each individual project and track all the financing involved.

Cost of the position will be split between the Redevelopment Commission and civil city budgets. Its creation is paired with the elimination of a part-time administrative position in the Building Department, making the total financial impact of the new job slightly more than $10,000.

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