Last Updated on April 1, 2019 by cassnetwork
We’ve invited Logansport Mayor Dave Kitchell to share updates from the city in a monthly column on CassCountyOnline.com.
Even with Spring Break absorbing a full week last month, March was one that showed continued signs of progress on several fronts in the city.
Our economic development fortunes rose again. Logan Stampings, also known by the acronym LSI, announced plans to move much of its operations into the former Hartz Mountain building in the Cass/Logan Industrial Park on Ind. 29. In addition to moving jobs to Logansport from two other plants outside the city, the project will continue to utilize the manufacturer’s current locations on East Main Street and create additional jobs. It’s a project that has been in the works during our entire administration and it is satisfying to see it finally reach fruition. The efforts of Christy Householder, the county’s economic development director, and Bill Cuppy, her counterpart in the city, made it happen. It’s an exciting time for Robert Baker and Duane Sailors who are shepherding the growth of their firm.
March also was a month when the city received word that we were chosen for more than $700,000 in grant funds for the paving of High Street from Third Street to 24th Street. This grant allows us to further stretch our paving plans for the year. The city has now secured $2.3 million in additional state paving to improve the quality of our street system in the past four years.
Through several charitable contributions, our campaign to make trails safer with cameras came to a successful conclusion. Patronicity, which matched contributions dollar for dollar, allowed us to reach a threshold of $25,000 in donations and surpass. Thanks to all local companies, banks, local residents and even former residents who made this possible.
The city’s public safety also grabbed some attention. It was ranked as the 12th safest city in Indiana, and safer than any city in a surrounding county. Fire Chief Bernie Mittica reported that our new ambulance has been dispatched to more calls this year already than all of last year.
March was a month that produced a working proposal for site plans that a developer is considering for the Logansport Mall. It also was a month in which the city’s housing steering committee issued a request for qualifications from developers interested in constructing new housing on city-owned property at High Street and Yorktown Road. Ground may be broken on that project this fall.
And speaking of groundbreaking ceremonies, plans were set for one for the ReVere Homes project which will add 30 single-family homes to various neighborhoods scattered throughout the city. That project is made possible through the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority, the city council and the clerk-treasurer’s office.
March was a month to christen new improvements at Cass Plaza, and to see Eastgate Plaza with yet another new tenant, Mi Camino Real, which is moving into the former Burger King there.
While the beginning of the stormwater project created some issues with downtown parking, by month’s end, new parking signs for Amelio’s were installed and barricades had been repositioned to allow more traffic flow in a busy area near the banks of the Wabash.
While the Logansport Berries experienced a season that came to a frustrating end in Kokomo, two Berries, Sam Skaggs and Will Penny, were listed among the top candidates for the Indiana All-Star team. A former Berry, Ryan Osborn, became the first Logansport High School alum to win a state basketball championship. He guided the Carmel Greyhounds to a championship in Indianapolis. Congratulations go out to him and his family.
While many were watching “March Madness” on the final day of the month, dozens of local residents attended a special open house at the latest home created by Habitat for Humanity. A property the city donated to Habitat three years ago now has four residents as a mini renaissance on the northwest side of the city continues. That includes the opening of a new Marathon station and convenience store in what had been a storefront closed for more than 20 years.
Call it “March gladness,” but progress and a family’s first house is a good way to end the first quarter of 2019.
It is a privilege to serve you as Logansport mayor. As always, if you have a comment, a complaint, an idea or a concern, please contact us at 753-2551, or via e-mail at dkitchell@cityoflogansport.org.