Author Archives: Sharon

INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION:NOTICE PLANNED IMPROVEMENT

NOTE: The Indiana Department of Transportation posted the following press release:

The Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) is developing plans for a proposed intersection improvement on Lincoln Highway (US 33) at College Avenue (CR 36), located in Elkhart County. The project proposes to include the addition of dedicated left and right-turn lanes on all four legs of the intersection, constructing new traffic signals, and upgrading the signal timing. All four legs of the proposed intersection will feature a 12-ft wide dedicated left turn, right turn, and through lanes, and will be bordered by a 2-ft 7-in wide combined concrete curb and gutter. A detention basin will be constructed in the southeast quadrant of the intersection.

The project includes, but is not limited to, installation of ADA compliant sidewalks and curb ramps, installation of drainage features, and signage. No detours are required for this project, however there will be phased lane closures and shifting of traffic as needed. Eleven driveways and three street approaches will be reconstructed as part of the proposed project and access to all properties will be maintained during construction. Emergency services and school corporations would be contacted prior to the reduction and/or closure of travel lanes. Construction of the project will require approximately 0.6 acre of new permanent right-of-way. Total cost of the project is estimated at $ 2,500,000 with federal and state funding.  

The Federal Highway Administration and INDOT have agreed that this project falls within the guidelines of a Categorical Exclusion (CE) Level 2 environmental document with undetermined mitigation of wetlands.

Preliminary design plans, along with the CE are avail­able for review at the following locations:

Goshen Public Library, 601 S. 5th St., Goshen, IN 46526 Phone# (574) 533-9531

INDOT Fort Wayne District at 5333 Hatfield Rd., Fort Wayne, IN  46808, Phone # (855) 463-6848

Hearings Examiner, Room N642-COM of the IGCN, 100 N. Senate Ave., Indianapolis, IN
46204‑2216, Phone # (317) 234-0796

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons requiring accommodation related to accessing project documents are encouraged to contact the Office of Public Involvement for assistance at 317-232-6601 or rclark@indot.in.gov.

All interested persons may request a public hearing and/or express concerns by submitting comments to the attention of Mary Wright, Public Hearing Examiner at INDOT, Room N642, 100 North Senate Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46204-2216 or mwright@indot.IN.gov on or before Thursday, January 3, 2019.

CRC POSITION OPEN

The Community Relations Commission has an open position. The council will review applications and make an appointment to the CRC for a three-year term. 

  • Read the full job description for becoming a CRC member by clicking here.
  • To apply to be a member of the board, click here. 

The CRC meets the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. in the City Hall Conference Room, 202 S. 5th St. If you have questions about this position, please contact CRC at 537.3839 x358 or communityrelations@goshencity.com.

NOTE: The City Council cannot make an appointment until 28 days after this position open announcement was published. 

Goshen student receives award; Goshen Parks & Recreation Department receives donation for new playground

A Goshen High School student who wrote to the Parks and Recreation Department suggesting the construction of an all-inclusive playground received recognition by world-leading manufacturer of wheelchair vans and lifts BraunAbility for her advocacy for the disabled and special needs community.

Laura Elliott received the “Spirit of Ability” Award at a ceremony held Tuesday, December 18 at Goshen High School. Laura was presented with a trophy and a $10,000 check — a donation made to the Parks & Recreation Department to help fund the completion of the all-inclusive playground at Hay Park, 1414 Plymouth Ave.

“Thanks to the courage Laura displayed when she wrote her letter campaigning for this inclusive park, finally, in the spring of 2019, Hay Park will be the home of a place where everyone is welcome, regardless of ability,” Greg Kiser, vice president of consumer sales for BraunAbility, said.

Mayor Jeremy Stutsman announced at the ceremony that the City is looking to break ground of the new playground in the spring of 2019.

“We’re really excited about how this fundraising came together, but what was most exciting is that we had a great committee of people who helped us design this park,” Mayor Jeremy Stutsman said. “It was really exciting to see Laura was involved in the planning process and can now oversee the park being built along the way.”

Laura was praised by her family and teacher, who both worked with her to get her letter to the City back in early 2017.

“There are several students that care about others, but Laura has taken that care to a new level where she loves and wants to give to all regardless of what it takes,” Sean Smuts, Laura’s teacher, said. “She exhibits a concern and love that time and time again is truly selfless. This park is evidence of that.”

Rochelle Elliott, Laura’s mom, thanked BraunAbility and expressed how important it was for her daughter’s dream to become reality.

“Laura has such a caring and compassionate heart for people with life challenges,” she said. “She wants them to have the same opportunities to participate in every day play without limitations.”

About the award: The Ralph W. Braun Spirit of Ability Award is presented to individuals who emulate the qualities that BraunAbility founder Ralph Braun displayed: selflessness, compassion, and an unwavering dedication to do what is right for people in the disability community. The award is given at BraunAbility community events across the United States and Canada. For more information, please go to braunability.com/spirit-of-ability/.

STREET COMMISSIONER: NO MORE LEAF PICKUPS THIS YEAR

The temperature climbed up slightly this weekend and will remain above freezing this week. With the warmer, dry weather, residents may feel tempted to rake their remaining leaves.

However, the Street Department will NOT do any more leaf collection rounds this year, as stated previously. Street Commissioner David Gibbs asks residents to keep their piled leaves away from the roadways, as they can interfere with the flow of traffic and, if it snows, the snow plows will be forced to drive over the leaf piles and end up throwing leaves back into the yard. 

Residents who still want to clean their yards and are able to, can take their leaves to the Environmental Center at 20100 CR 29. The Environmental Center will take leaves at no fee to Goshen Residents (proof of residency will be required). 

The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Environmental’s phone number is 533.6200.

Holiday Open House

The public is invited to attend Goshen Mayor Jeremy Stutsman’s Holiday Open House Wednesday, December 19, 2–4 p.m., at his office, City Hall, 202 S. Fifth St. Guests are asked to remember the homeless among us this Christmas season; items will be collected to be distributed by local helping agencies. Those agencies suggest donating these items, among others: hats, gloves, scarves, toiletries, socks, blankets, or sleeping pads.

The Open House is a way to show appreciation to the many folks who make Goshen a great place. According to Mayor Stutsman, “Committed employees and dedicated board, commission and committee members are important. But it is also critical that we have a multitude of caring neighbors and general citizens who care about this community. The Open House is an opportunity to visit with folks who care about their community and express thanks.”

RIVER RACE DRIVE CLOSURE EXTENDED

NIPSCO is relocating the electric utilities at River Race Drive for the River Art Development, and is needing an extra two weeks to complete the project. The closure of River Race Drive from Jefferson Street north to the east/west alley has been extended until Friday, December 21.

KERCHER ROAD TO OPEN TODAY

Kercher Road (CR 38) will be open to traffic today, but the speed limit has been changed temporarily for this winter.

Construction for phase A1 of the Kercher Road project is nearing completion for the year. Due to delays, the contractor was not able to complete paving the final surface layer on the roadway this year.

Due to its state, the speed limit has been lowered temporarily to 30 MPH for the winter until the construction can be completed in the spring of 2019.

REMINDER: LEAF COLLECTION BEGINS MONDAY, DEC. 3

This is a reminder that the last leaf collection of the year will begin Monday, December 3.  Street Department crews making the rounds do not have a set schedule for what parts of the city they will go to and when, so residents are advised to pile their leaves on the curb by Sunday evening, December 2.

Residents who miss the last round of leaf pickup can still take their leaves to the Goshen Environmental Center, 20100 CR 19. Their hours in the winter are Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Their number is 533-6200.

The center accepts brush and leaves, loose or in bags, at no charge to Goshen residents. However, if leaves are bagged, the bags must be emptied. There is a small fee for disposal of yard waste and grass clippings.

For more information on raking do’s and don’t see the Street Department’s website at goshenindiana.org/street-department.