By Brandi Watters, Herald Bulletin Staff Writer
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
