Demo project to revitalize neighborhood

BICKNELL, Ind. (WTHI) - A Wabash Valley community begins rebuilding an old neighborhood.

A demolition project kicked off Tuesday in Bicknell, Ind. to get rid of old rundown buildings and upgrade its housing.

This is the first step in a $1.3 million neighborhood improvement project. A project that will cover a 12 block area.

"Right now this is just the beginning of this neighborhood," Bicknell Mayor Jon Flickinger said. "By the time we get through you won't recognize this neighborhood."

The money comes from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority through the Neighborhood Stabilization Program.

"We think this is going to be a huge improvement," Pace Community Action Agency Amy Fehrenbacher said. "It's a very rare opportunity or a rural community to do a comprehensive neighborhood revitalization."

The demolition marks the start of the project that will run through 2012.