Warsaw receives $251K grant for paving projects

The city of Warsaw has received grant money that will help cover half of the costs for about $500,000 in paving projects this year.

Public Works Superintendent Jeff Beeler said Friday the $251,000 grant from the Indiana Department of Transportation’s Community Crossroads program will help pay for part of five paving projects, including three that will be tackled this spring.

One of those projects is part of Main Street from McKinley Street to Parker Street, Beeler said Friday at the city Board of Public Works and Safety meeting.

Two other paving projects involve Holiday Drive near Applebee’s restaurant and Pontiac Drive, which is north of Old Road 30 East.

The state money is part of a matching grant program. The city will cover the other half of the costs.

Phend and Brown submitted the low bid for the three projects. The company was among four contractors seeking to be awarded the work. The winning bid was $176,537. The engineer’s estimate was $192,711, according to paperwork provided by the city.

Beeler said the remaining grant money will be used to support two other paving projects the city will soon seek bids on: Colfax Street between Main and Sheridan streets, and Clark Street between Colfax and Lincoln streets.

In other matters, the board approved acceptance of a $5,015 grant from the Kosciusko County Community Foundation for the upcoming Central Park Concert Series. The money will be used along with a  $5,000 grant from the Indiana Arts Commission to help cover the cost of nine concerts. The money comes from the J. Alan Morgan and Lucy Morgan Community Endowment.

Recreation director Sheila Wieringa said the combined $10,000 is expected to just about cover all costs associated with the concert series.

The board also renewed an agreement with Paddlers for Conservation, a group that helps clean area streams and rivers. The city will provide the group with $2,000 in exchange for its help.

In another move, the board approved the annual agreement with Wayne Township, which helps subsidize the parks department facilities and programing. The contract is for $75,000. Warsaw is within Wayne Township.