COUNCILMAN’S CORNER
You’ve probably been aware for several months of all the good things happening at what is now known as Southtown Centre (the old Southtown Mall). Menard’s has almost been completed and construction of a new Walmart is getting underway. Over 500 permanent jobs as well as many temporary construction jobs will be created by the rejuvenation of Southtown. This development, which has been discussed for 10-15 years and is gradually becoming reality, will also be a boost to the south side of our city.
City Council recently debated the proposed Public Safety Training Academy planned for the Southtown site. The Mayor and his team headed by a retired Army officer, Brent Johnson, have done an excellent job moving the project forward without the use of property tax dollars. They have commitments from Ivy Tech Chancellor Mark Keen to do quite a bit of training at the site and to work to help make the Academy grow during future years. IPFW Chancellor Michael Wartell has made similar commitments and many regional city and county police, fire, EMS, and homeland security agencies have committed to training their staff at the new Academy. We’ll all be a lot better off if our public safety employees and leaders are all “on the same page” and a joint training facility will help make that possible. The price tag is steep so all Council members are reviewing the facility to make sure we get maximum “bang for the buck.”
Downtown redevelopment is moving forward steadily. It’s my understanding that quite a few developers and other potential investors are expressing an interest in being part of the rebirth of our downtown! Be sure to patronize Waynedale and south side businesses…but please make a point to support downtown restaurants and our great arts facilities downtown. That’s one of the most effective ways to be a part of the improved downtown of the future!
Don’t forget to register to vote in the upcoming county, state, and federal election scheduled for May 2nd if you haven’t already done so! Ask an elderly friend if you can help them go to the polls or to obtain an absentee ballot. Give me a call with any suggestions or problems which we need to discuss.
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