Hendricks’ high-priority street project will be finished soon
By Robert Wolfington IIIResidents on Hobart Street and Prairie Street in Hendricks have been dealing with a street project that has left some residents unable to use their garage.
The storm sewer upgrades for the three-block portion of Hendricks started in April, but city officials say they hope it can wrap up in the next few weeks.
Hendricks city administrator David Blees said the storm sewer improvement project should help with standing water issues.
"It's about three blocks in town, it basically started out as a storm sewer project," Blees said. "It's in the lowest (elevation) part of town. We were having some ground water and surface water issues."
Blees said the work includes curb and gutter placement for a part of town that didn't have it.
"We're adding curb and gutter where there was no curb and gutter," said Blees. "The storm pipes went from 15 inches to 42 inches."
Blees said the project was a high priority for the city of Hendricks.
"This was in the plans for work that needed to be done," said Blees. "It was probably the highest priority."
The project followed some state-mandated projects that needed to be completed, he said.
"We had some other projects that were required by the state, including a wastewater pond put in 2005," said Blees. "After the state projects, this was more of a city priority."
Blees said Hendricks had a good opportunity to work on a project that will improve the quality of life for the community.
"It's great that we're able to push for improvements," said Blees. "A lot of small towns have a tough time raising funds and just planning for this. It took a couple years to plan for this one."
The project has been an inconvenience for some community members, Blees said.
"It's isolated to more of a corner of town; if you don't live in that corner it's not a big deal, but if you do live over there it has be kind of a hassle," said Blees. "You have to go a different way, you have to drive three blocks out of the way. It's not huge.
"There are a couple homes where they haven't been able to get to their garages from the street," added Blees.
After the project is complete, Blees said the city will look to other capital improvement projects for the future.
"We're working with a group to work on a capital improvement plan," said Blees.
"We're going to take similar projects like this, or a new fire truck or ambulance or water tower. We're working with a group on figuring how to pay for those things."
