Third Ward Meeting - September 29

On Wednesday, September 29, I hope you will join the residents of the Third Ward for a lively and productive meeting about our neighborhood. While we will discuss city services and the needs of our community members, one of the top items on our agenda is the request from DePauw University to change the traffic flow on Anderson Street into the campus.

As many of you may know, DePauw University is in the process of putting together a long-term strategic plan. President Brian Casey recently briefed the community on the specifics, which include constructing a formal entrance on Anderson Street leading from the east off U.S. 231. This gateway into the campus is the primary reason for DePauw's request to change Anderson from a one-way street to a two-way street. You can read more about President Casey's presentation here: http://www.bannergraphic.com/story/1659586.html.

I hope you'll set aside time to join me, Mayor Murray, city officials and our neighbors at the Greencastle Middle School at 6:30 p.m. for a thoughtful and meaningful discussion about our community.

Sincerely,

Jinsie Bingham
Third Ward Councilor

Park Your Bike in Downtown Greencastle!

Pictured from the front: Crystal Stonebraker, Cathryn Ensley and Suzanne Masten representing the Greencastle Civic League; Karla Lawless, director of the Putnam County Convention and Visitors' Bureau; and David Bault and Ricky Long from the Greencastle Department of Public Works, who installed the racks.

People who travel in Greencastle on bicycles no longer have to protect their bikes by chaining them to trees, benches or lamp posts when they stop to shop, eat or go to the post office.

Because of the generous contributions of the Putnam County Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Greencastle Civic League and the Greencastle Redevelopment Commission, these new green bike racks are conveniently located throughout downtown Greencastle.

We are most grateful for the continuing investment of these civic groups in our community. Once again I am reminded how very special this place we call home is.

Mayor Sue Murray

THANK YOU.

As we push toward the end of our 2010 road improvement projects, I would like to thank all whose homes and businesses have been inconvenienced along the way. Once the bids are received and contracts signed for road projects, the work usually moves fairly quickly. Unfortunately, this year we had some more extensive drainage and curb work on Indianapolis Rd. that turned the usual days of inconvenience into several weeks.

My sincere thanks to our citizens for their patience. There are always more roads in need of our attention, but I hope you find this year’s efforts a significant improvement.

Mayor Sue Murray

Campus Community Planning Forum

On Wednesday, August 25, at 7 p.m., City Hall's doors will be open to members of the community who would like to learn more about DePauw University’s plans to re-envision their campus spaces and strengthen the connections between the campus and the greater Greencastle community.

Dr. Brian Casey, DePauw’s president, will join me in what’s to be the first Campus Community Planning Forum that I can remember. We know that the success of DePauw University and the success of Greencastle are mutually beneficial. Our ability to work together is imperative. I hope our citizens will take this opportunity to attend the meeting and add their voices to this most dynamic conversation.

See you there!

Mayor Sue Murray

Second Ward Meeting - August 19

On Thursday, August 19th at 6:30 p.m. at Deer Meadow School, Mayor Sue Murray, City Planner Shannon Norman and I will host the annual Second Ward Neighborhood Meeting to discuss some of the projects that have occurred and that are ongoing in the ward. This includes the work currently being done on the Albin Pond/Safe Routes to School pathway project, recent paving done in and around the area, and Albin Pond Dam improvements. We'll also provide an update of the needs and projects that were addressed at last year's inaugural meeting.

While we want to update you on these projects and accomplishments, one of the main purposes of this meeting is to listen to residents' concerns, problems, and questions, so that we can formulate a list of things that need to be done in the ward over the coming weeks and months. This is best accomplished by listening to you, the residents of the Second Ward, so please come prepared to present any issues, so we can try to address those and bring some resolution to them. All residents of the Second Ward are invited and encouraged to attend.

Hope to see you on August 19th at Deer Meadow School at 6:30 p.m.

Mark Hammer
Second Ward City Councilman

Four-Way Stops Aren't So Easy

Four-way stops aren't so easy.

Earlier this week, in an attempt to make the intersection of Percy Julian Drive and Veterans' Highway safer, the Indiana Department of Transportation installed stop signs on the highway. This was done in recognition of ongoing safety problems in the intersection.

The City of Greencastle has been asking for a traffic light for several years, but apparently we don't meet the "required" traffic counts. As a result, we now have a four-way stop. Our children and the intersection are safer, but patience is needed, especially at heavy traffic times as we all learn to make our way through the stop.

Thank you for your patience.

Mayor Sue Murray

Summer Paving and Sidewalk Projects

Every year, to the best of our ability, we try to repair roads, sidewalks that have trip hazards, and make more of our corners ADA-compliant. This year is no exception. Resources are scarce, but we will be moving forward on some projects. Our Public Works Department works with our city engineer throughout the year to develop the priority lists. We then go out for bids on the identified projects and proceed with what we are able to pay for.

In the coming weeks, work will be done on sections of sidewalk in all four of our wards. Road milling and resurfacing will be done on parts of Indianapolis Road, Shadowlawn, Arlington, Seminary, College Street, Jackson and Highland. There are already signs up for next summer's big road project, Percy Julian Drive.

I know that this kind of work can cause delays and inconveniences, at times. Hopefully, you will find the improvements worth any frustration. Thank you, in advance, for your patience.

Mayor Sue Murray