Published: December 16, 2008 10:46 am      

Corridor enhancement projects will be funded

City contributes to projects from end-of-year finances

A suspension on funding for the Logansport’s Corridor Enhancement Program has been lifted, paving the way for five local businesses to be reimbursed for their efforts to “put a new face on a great place.”

A nine-month suspension on funding for the project was lifted last week when an agreement was reached to restore the program’s funding stream of $20,000 a year from landfill tipping fees.

Mayor Mike Fincher said funding for the program had been suspended because of concern over property tax revenues.

“We have had a spending freeze all this year,” Fincher said. “We have only been able to purchase fuel, emergency items and payroll. ... We had to make sure that we had enough money available to fund the program.”

At last week’s board of public works meeting, the city approved an application from Matthew Barrett Attorneys at Law at 1730 E. Market St. for a contribution toward $1,400 in costs for a new sign and $2,000 for a stained glassed window. The percentage of the contribution has yet to be approved.

Fincher said he was in favor of the application.

“The aesthetics of the sign are good, and it will be a good addition to the corridor and the building,” he said.

Barrett said that the program encouraged him to make additional improvements to the exterior of the building.

“I would have had the work done anyway because I needed the sign,” Barrett said. “But with the stained glass, the program encouraged me more to do it.”

Under the program the city pays up to 50 percent of beautification costs of any business or commercial building on designated corridors into the city.

The funds can be used for work that will improve the aesthetics of the building — such things as signage, awnings, canopies and shutters, exterior lighting, painting and landscaping.

Fincher said the future of the program would depend on revenue draws from the state, but he encouraged interested businesses to submit applications to the city’s planning commission.

“They can submit applications but they have to understand that they might not get funding right away.” he said.

In March the city held back its contribution to an application from Starr, Miller and Austen LLP for assistance with improved landscaping and an awning in the rear of its property at 201 S. Third St.

After Wednesday’s announcement, the city will now cover $5,000 of the project’s $10,000 cost.

Stan Williams, the city-county planning director, said the work epitomized the goals of the program.

“The purpose of the program is to help businesses and homeowners take it to a step above what they’d normally do and beautify their business,” he said.

The city also appropriated funds for projects at the Greensfelder Building at 309 E. Market St., Midwest Eye Associates at 2500 E. Market St. and Zehner Maloy and Associates at 730 E. Broadway.

Kevin Smith can be contacted at (574) 732-5148 or via e-mail at kevin.smith@pharostribune.com