Last Updated on March 5, 2019 by cassnetwork
We’ve invited Logansport Mayor Dave Kitchell to share updates from the city in a monthly column.
While many welcomed the opening of B&K West and the Sycamore Drive-In for the year in February, Logansport had plenty of things happening that gave any groundhog more to see than a shadow.
Our local Realtors met and provided me with their report on the city’s housing and demographics. Our annual home sale price increase continues to be above the state average by nearly 5 percent in the city and 6 percent in Cass County. Our unemployment continues to be just below the state and national averages. Home prices however continue to be about half the state average, making us an affordable place to raise a family, retire or buy a first home.
The Logansport Re-Imagined series at the State Theatre focused speakers on downtown development and what can be done to magnify the facades of downtown buildings, many of which have been here for the better part of a century or more. It was promising to see downtown business owners attending, and many have asked for more information on our proposed program.
In the Cass/Logan Industrial Park, the former Hartz Mountain factory was sold and will soon be repurposed for advanced manufacturing. We expect several local economic development expansions in the coming months.
The Wabash Heartland Innovation Network presented a new community development program for our region. Arin Shaver, the city/county executive director of the planning department and our office worked on our vision for sharing funding in the region to connect trails from Pulaski, Carroll, Tippecanoe and Cass counties together and improving Internet access with fiber.
Our trail safety initiative which has been funded in part by the city council received a boost from the launch of the Patronicity campaign through the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. To date, more than $11,000 has been raised that will be matched by outside funds for the installation of trail cameras in the city. I appreciate the contributions of Security Federal, Gangloff Industries and the council for their major commitments. Marla Evanich, my administrative assistant, and Mercedes Brugh, our deputy mayor, have worked with Councilman Larry Hood to ensure that those who use the trails will have greater peace of mind. If you or your company would like to contribute, search for “Logansport” on www.partonicity.com, or call our office for information. The deadline for the matching campaign is March 28.
Perhaps most astounding is that Logansport Memorial Hospital reported an increase of $40 million in revenue last year, due in no small part to the opening of the new Cancer Center. This is exciting news for our community along with Memorial’s designation as one of the top 100 rural hospitals in the United States for the fourth consecutive year.
Our redevelopment commission approved funding for streetlights on the Heartland at 18th Street and is pursuing more streetscape work downtown.
Our historic preservation commission was pleased to hear that the stained glass windows from the former St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church have been relocated to the new parish hall at All Saints. Meanwhile, Indiana Landmarks worked with the city to preserve the Schneider Building on 15th Street that has been condemned after a recent cold snap.
February also marked the very beginning of the city’s stormwater project that will take nearly two years to complete. Our Street Department and Stormwater Management Board are working with Logansport Municipal Utilities personnel and Wilhelm Construction to provide temporary traffic and pedestrian access that will allow Amelio’s, the People’s Winery, The Gallery and other businesses such as Boondocker’s to remain open during construction. It’s my sincere hope that we all keep these people most affected by the project in mind and patronize them even though there will be some inconvenient times to do it.
It should be noted that work on the Third and Melbourne intersection at the north Third Street Bridge will not begin until the Market Street Bridge is completed sometime this summer.
We expect further work to be done on Logan Square soon, and it’s good to see the opening of a new Subway on North Third Street.
Our LMU, Street Department, cemetery and public safety personnel have endured one of the most difficult months for outdoor weather we’ve had in the past few years with gusts up to 55 mph and wind chills of -50. I appreciate their dedication in keeping us safe and providing the level of service and response that sometimes we all take for granted. We’re fortunate to have these people on our side, in our city. We also appreciate the public’s patience with trash and recycling collection during some challenging sub-freezing conditions for the people that perform those tasks every week.
It’s a privilege to serve you in my capacity. If we can be of any help to you, please contact me at (574) 753-2551, or via e-mail at dkitchell@cityoflogansport.org.