The Rushville City Council held a public hearing on Tuesday during its bi-monthly meeting regarding reconstruction of the Taff Building, which is slated to house Fish Moon Brewing Co.
After the hearing, the city council voted to accept a bid from Greg Martz of GM Development to begin reconstruction efforts on the Taff Building as a part of the Stellar Communities Designation Program. The renovation includes fixing the exterior of the building to make it water proof and creating a white box in the interior for the restaurant and brewery to start setting up.
The reconstruction, which is estimated to cost $700,000, will be paid for entirely through Stellar funding. Reconstruction of the top floor of the building will be completed at a later date due to lack of funds.
Rushville Mayor Mike Pavey will meet with Martz next week to further discuss the specs of the project and when it will be completed.
Mayor Pavey said construction on the Riverside Overlook Stellar project near Riverside Park Amphitheatre is scheduled to begin next year. The city’s 2020 concert series at Riverside Park may be affected by construction.
The mayor also said the City Center is complete except for the installation of a projector, sound system and camera in the City Council Chambers.
City Councilman Gary Cameron said the Labor Day concert, which featured the Led Zeppelin tribute band ZoSo, drew a large crowd and was a success. One concert is left in this year’s concert series.
A special “One World” concert will be held on Saturday, Sept. 21 as a part of Willkie Days. The concert will feature music from the Japanese Ensemble Hikaru, Afro-Latin Pop group Sweet Poison Victim and the Celtic band Gaelic Storm.
Mayor Pavey said the beginning stages of construction for the new apartment buildings on West 16th St. are set to begin. Vice President of KDC Investments, Inc. Joe Peacock will prepare the constriction pads for the apartment buildings, complete curb cutting, excavating and lay gravel for parking lots before the end of the year.
All major construction will take place next year.
Rushville Fire Chief Chuck Jenkins said the fire department has received both of the refurbished mechanical CPR machines it ordered. One of the CPR machines will be in service by the end of the week.
However, one machine came without the necessary batteries needed to operate it. This CPR machine will be put into service when new batteries arrive.
Rushville Chief of Police Craig Tucker said a water main ruptured at the police department on Aug. 31. In total, 200 gallons of water were removed from a break room and hallway at the department.
Chief Tucker said the rupture caused water damage, but he doesn’t know the extent of damages yet.
The chief of police informed the council the graphics package for the police department’s new student resource officer vehicle should be completed by homecoming. Rush County Schools agreed to pay for the graphics package, since the vehicle is prioritized for school related activities.
Director of the Rushville Street Department Jemmy Miller said his department would be collecting heavy trash from Monday, Sept. 30 to Wednesday, Oct. 2. Trash can be placed outside for pick up from Sept. 26 through Sept. 29.
Miller said the street department would begin crack sealing city roads on Sept. 9.
The next city council meeting will be held at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17, in the City Council Chambers at the City Center.
Contact: kraig.younts@rushvillerepublican.com