The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: http://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/131836
11 9 6 2 Downtown Facade Program 8 Police Station Relocation Community/ Senior Center 5 Demolition of Buildings 7 Downtown Revitalization (4th–12th Streets) 3 8th Street Plaza City Hall Relocation Stellar Tech Center Stellar Focus Vision Driven Petersburg, Indiana 1 4 SR 56/57 Truck Route Fire Station Relocation driven to succeed By Andy Heuring Petersburg was selected a Stellar Communities finalist for the second year in a row. Lt. Governor Sue Ellsperman made the announcement in March. "We are extremely excited. Our Stellar Community team has continued to work throughout the year. When we found out we weren't a winner last year, the thought was let's go ahead and start working toward next year. I don't think there was any hesitation to apply again this year," said Petersburg Mayor Frank Coleman. Petersburg is one of six communities in Indiana to be selected a finalist. The other five are Angola, Bedford, Frankfort, Richmond and Wabash. The Stellar Communities program was launched two years ago to fund comprehensive community development projects in Indiana's smaller cities and towns. The state's Stellar Communities program is a partnership between three state agencies: the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs and Indiana Department of Transportation. Selected communities will complete multiple community development projects funded by the three partner agencies' programs, which may address housing, water infrastructure needs, street and roadwork, streetscape and lighting needs, community centers, revitalization projects and other 'quality of life' issues. Each year, two communities are selected the winners. In the past, they have received $20 million. This year the total amount of the award has not been announced, but it is estimated to be $9 to $12 million. The winning communities will have three years to complete the projects in their comprehensive plan over the next three years. Even though Petersburg was not selected a winner in 2012, they have benefited greatly. Mayor Coleman said a private developer was able to secure financing for one of the major projects in last year's proposal, the Downtown Terrace project. It is already underway as three condemned buildings have been razed to make way for a new structure which will house an urgent care medical facility, retail space and 41 senior housing units. A second project in last year's application, a truck bypass, has been partially funded and the city is hoping to use Stellar to complete the funding. Mayor Coleman said Petersburg's new plan is similar to last year's plan, but there have been several changes. "We are focusing on the redevelopment, new development and revitalization of the downtown," said Coleman. The Stellar Selection Committee will be in Petersburg on Wednesday to tour the area and personally review Petersburg's plan. "We are continuing to work and have a positive attitude that this is the year we will win," said Mayor Coleman. "I'm just honored to be the mayor of such a great small city." The following pages present Petersburg's comprehensive plan for the projects in this year's Stellar Communities program. Each individual project of the overall plan is presented and illustrated. E-2 Stellar Community Finalist H the proposal Petersburg has 11 projects totaling almost $18 million included in their Stellar Communities application. With the through traffic moving to I-69, Petersburg has put an emphasis on downtown revitalization, according to Petersburg Mayor Frank Coleman. "We have worked hard for all of the projects to work together. All of the projects are connected." Two of the projects started with last year's application. The Petersburg Terrace, also known as the Downtown Mixed Use Facility, is a $7 million project that will be anchored by an urgent care facility and other medical services, sponsored by Good Samaritan Hospital. That will be surrounded by 41 units of Senior Housing, which will be across the street from a Community Center that will house a Senior Center. It has since been funded through a combination of private development and a tax credits from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. A truck bypass route, which will keep trucks off of Main St. in the downtown area, was also part of last year's application and has been partially funded by an Indiana Department of Transportation grant. Wednesday, May 22, 2013 The Eighth St. Plaza will create a park and pavilion area that will be the perfect site for festivals and musical performances. It will also tie the County Courthouse to the relocated City Hall, in the former Integra Bank building, to form a central government campus. Relocating the police station and fire department will help those departments meet their needs and open up retail space in the revitalized Main St. and downtown. A facade upgrade is being offered to help building owners who are wanting to improve their buildings and give downtown a coordinated appearance. The keystone of the Stellar projects is the Stellar Technology Center. It is a technology incubator for young entrepreneurs. The center will build on the national success of Pike Central Project Lead the Way students. Many have said the want to be able to return to Pike County after college and start businesses. It will also serve as a spring board for other technology departments at high schools and colleges in the region, with the hope of drawing the brightest, most ambitious entrepreneurs, their businesses and the jobs they create to Petersburg. The Press-Disp atch