Last Updated on October 6, 2018 by cassnetwork
We’ve invited Logansport Mayor Dave Kitchell to share updates from the city in a monthly column.
Dave Kitchell
It has been a month of construction, reflection and action in Logansport.
In September, work continued on the Logan Square Apartments as windows were installed in all floors. As the month closed, it was announced that leasing options for market rate housing and retail space are now available.
Progress was made on the Market Street Bridge project as contractors moved full speed ahead to tear it down and make way for the first new structure over the Eel there in more than a half century. Completion is scheduled for next summer.
Paving of city streets reached its endpoint for the season, but work continued at several intersections and along streets where sidewalks, curbs and handicap-accessible ramps were installed. We opened the 18th Street Bridge and moved forward with a stormwater project in the neighborhood of $30 million.
Dollar General put the finishing touches on its fourth Logansport store and set a grand opening for Oct. 6. And on North Third Street, islands for a new gas station took shape as work progressed on the former Marsh Supermarket and Hook’s Drug store.
A new ice cream shop opened in a renovated building on East Market. Further down the street, the former Fireside Restaurant began a major renovation.
In a month when we celebrated Logansport Re-Imagined Week, it didn’t take much of an imagination to see we have a great deal of construction in progress. Our Building Commissioner’s report through Sept. 30 indicates that construction is on pace to equal or eclipse the investments made in the past two years, and there were several outstanding building permits to be filed on significant projects. An enrollment spike at one school was another symptom that our city is showing signs of progress and ultimately growth. Even landfill tipping fees in the past quarter were among the highest in the past four years.
As is the custom on Sept. 11 nationwide, Logansport and Cass County Fire District firefighters joined in a ceremony along with police and other public safety personnel in our local observance at Central Fire Station. I appreciate the local ministerial association and their contributions to this event annually and people who pause to remember those who died in the worst attack on U.S. soil in our nation’s history.
We all were grateful for the efforts of firefighters who responded to tragic fires that claimed three of our citizens during the month. As is often the case with Logansport people, the “salt of the earth” examples of the best among us were there during a time of grief. Many, including dozens of Tyson employees, grieve with all of those who sense this is their community. These people are what Logansport is really all about and one of the reasons why I’m glad my children are being raised here to see examples of what being a citizen, and not just a resident, really means in a community, particularly in times of tragedy. The 100 volunteers who installed smoke detectors across our community in the final week of September was a great example of being our brother’s keeper. Many residents who had no working detectors in their homes now have one, two or three thanks to the American Red Cross. I’m particularly grateful to my wife, Julie, for all the hours she spent on the project, as well as our firefighters.
As we enter the fourth quarter of 2018, we continue to work on the agenda we set for the year. We have much to do before we close the book on this year, but we will always have time to listen to your concern or respond to your requests.
If you have a concern, a complaint or a suggestion, you may reach me at (574) 753-2551, or at dkitchell@cityoflogansport.org.