FRANKTON, Ind. — A beautification project eight years in the making has gotten the green light, but won’t see daylight for another five years.
State Sen. Tim Lanane, D-Anderson, joined Rep. Terri Austin, D-Anderson, in announcing a grant award for the town of Frankton this week that will allow the town to beautify its main artery.
The $338,795 Transportation Enhancement Grant is administered through the Indiana Department of Transportation and will help the town beautify Sigler Street, also known as Indiana 128.
“The plans call for aesthetic enhancements of Sigler Street which will transform the main artery through town in many ways,” said Austin. “The corridor will be tree-lined and well-landscaped. There will be antique-style street lights as well as a kiosk with information about local businesses and a map of a bikeway network.”
Town Council President Lisa Corey said a small committee of locals began pursuing the grant in 2001.
Although the grant has been awarded to Frankton, Corey said, the project won’t begin until 2014 when INDOT begins resurfacing Indiana 128.
The reconstruction and beautification will stretch the two miles across Frankton from the city’s eastern to western incorporated limits.
The reconstruction will also includes new curbs, gutters and sidewalks for that portion of Indiana 128/Sigler Street.
“The project will provide a safer pedestrian path, with new sidewalks and benches along Sigler Street,” said Lanane. “Beautification projects can renew a sense of community and stimulate new development in great hometowns like Frankton.”
In order to receive the grant, Frankton must provide a 20 percent match of about $65,000, Corey said.
The town started stashing the match money away years ago, she said, in anticipation that the grant would eventually be awarded.
The committee formed to pursue the grant also found a separate grant to improve the Jefferson Oaks park, located at Jefferson and Lafayette streets, she said.
The $5,000 park grant awarded by the Madison County Community Foundation will also require a $5,000 match from the town, Corey said, but will improve the park’s existing equipment.
Corey hopes improvements to Sigler Street, along with the park, will spur development in Frankton.
Sigler Street is the town’s main business artery, she said.
Unlike Elwood, Pendleton and Anderson, Frankton has not been left with empty storefronts, but the town has not been immune to the economic climate.
“I know that our businesses have struggled through it and so far they have all been able to stay afloat,” Corey said.
Contact Brandi Watters 640-4847, brandi.watters@heraldbulletin.com
Local News
Related Photos
-
Don Knight
-
Don Knight
-
Don Knight
Discussion
Frankton grant to beautify town in 2014
Sigler Street delay caused by INDOT roadwork
- Local News
-
-
Feds seek Anderson psychologist
U.S. Marshals are searching for a local psychologist wanted for alleged heath insurance fraud and illegal possession of firearms and ammunition, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.
-
Nonprofit in dire need of funds
Gateway Association, a local nonprofit children’s service, could close because of financial setbacks, and officials are asking Madison County for help.
-
Bus route expanding to include Flagship
The city is preparing to help transport workers to the Flagship Industrial Park — which should see an increase of about 500 jobs this year — by expanding its bus service to southwest Anderson.
-
Coroner: Man's death at reservoir a homicide
The Saturday death of an Anderson man visiting Monroe Reservoir near Bloomington has been ruled a homicide, officials said late Tuesday afternoon.
-
Hosier urged son to 'think before you act'
Matthew Hosier had been through tough times, his mother said, but was turning his life around. His personality was irrepressible. Hosier drowned on Saturday — his 29th birthday — at Monroe Reservoir.
-
Gas prices expected to fall further heading into summer
Gas prices could fall even more in the weeks ahead, and even if they do rise in July and August, they are likely to remain well below the $4 or $5 per gallon that some observers had feared.
-
Four from Anderson on Ivy Tech search committee
Four representatives of the Anderson community have been selected to serve on Ivy Tech Community College’s search committee for a new East Central Region chancellor.
-
Mostly sunny and cooler
Mostly sunny skies are in the forecast for today, with highs in the middle 70s.
-
Poll question for Wednesday, May 30
Vote daily in The Herald Bulletin poll. Today's poll question can be found at the bottom of the homepage on the right side.
-
Local Briefs: May 30
A compilation news items of local and statewide interest as published in the Wednesday edition of The Herald Bulletin.
- More Local News Headlines
-
