By KEN de la BASTIDE
PERU — There will be a new look to downtown Peru on Broadway with the elimination of overhead power lines and new sidewalks.
The work is being done in three stages and will extend from Main Street to the intersection with U.S. 24. The first phase has been completed and work is currently taking place from Main Street to Eighth Street.
Included in the project is the repaving of Main Street.
Peru Mayor Jim Walker said the work from the overpass to Washington Street has been completed.
The work is being done in shifts so that there is the least amount of impact on the local businesses, he said.
The Street Department is working from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. to remove portions of the sidewalk and the concrete crews are working from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., according to Walker.
“We’re doing the front part of the sidewalks first,” he said. “That way there is still a sidewalk in front of each business that people can use. We will then go back and the Street Department will remove the remaining portion of sidewalks in sections and the concrete crews will work on that section the next day. The businesses should only be impacted for one day.”
Walker said all the electrical wires are being moved underground and in the area from Sixth to Main streets an additional electric line and a water line is being placed.
The intent is that when festivals, such as the Circus City Festival, take place vendors will have electric power and water available along the sidewalk.
Walker said that will prevent water and electric lines having to be run across the street where people are walking.
The cost of the project is expected to be between $850,000 and $900,000 and is being funded through the city’s share of County Economic Development Income Tax funds.
“We have been saving money for five years,” Walker said of the project.
He said work on the second phase was supposed to take 10 weeks but should be completed in six weeks.
Walker said work on the final stage could be completed this year.
“We planned on doing the work over three construction seasons,” he said, “it’s possible we will have it done in one.”
• Ken de la Bastide is the Kokomo Tribune enterprise editor. He can be reached at (765) 454-8580 or via e-mail at ken.delabastide@kokomotribune.com
