A total of $650,000 is being sought through grants so the city of Warsaw can begin construction on two new bike/pedestrian sidepaths. Both projects are part of the city’s Ride+Walk initiative.

The first will be on East Market Street from Argonne Road to Bronson Street. The second, along CR 300 North from Shelden Street to Polk Drive, will part of a county project replacing a bridge over the Tippecanoe River.

Assistant city planner Tim Dombrosky asked for the blessing of the Board of Public Works and Safety to apply for the two grants. The largest grant the city is seeking is from the K21 Health Foundation in the amount of $500,000. That is for the East Market Street project.

According to Dombrosky, the pedestrian/bicyclist sidepath will be 10 feet wide on the south side of the street and will be used as a replacement of deteriorating sidewalks on the north side of the street. East Market Street is already on the city’s drawing table to be reconstructed. The $500,000 grant would cover the entire cost of the sidepath project including some amenities such as lighting and wayfinding signage.

Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer said the East Market Street project has been divided into two sections. From Bronson Street west to the former Little Crow building at Detroit Street will require the city that the seek federal funding to complete.

The second grant the city is seeking is for $150,000 through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Although the city did apply for the grant last year, it was not awarded the funding.

Dombrosky said with the additional commercial and residential construction that has occurred in the area, the grant application this year reflects how the sidepath will be utilized by pedestrians and bicyclists to access area shopping, industry and even Madison Elementary School.

The CR 300 North sidepath project, estimated to cost $215,000, is being funded partially by the county and partially by the city. Plans call for it to be 10 feet wide, paved and have a minimum 5-foot separation from the road. It will span .71 miles from Shelden Street to the east to Polk Drive, which will be the new entrance for Ivy Tech and the Warsaw Technology Park at CR 150 West.

With the IDNR grant, the remaining $65,000 would also be sought through other grants and funds from the Northern TIFF will cover the remaining funding gap.

In other city matters, the B.O.W. approved the removal of the playground structure at Kiddieland in Central Park. The equipment is 14 years old and does not comply with safety standards set by the Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Society for Testing & Materials. The park plans to replace the equipment later this summer.

Also, Dalton Foundry requested the closing of Hendricks Street from Harrison to Lindberg streets from Monday, May 5, through Friday, May 9. The street closing is necessary for oxygen tank replacement. The road will be closed all day and all night long until the work is complete.