New sidewalks coming to Washington

WASHINGTON, Ind. (WTHI) - Broken curbs and battered old sidewalks are easy to find in downtown Washington.

But all of that is expected to begin changing soon.

A half million dollar project to improve the sidewalks and curbs, funded by a state grant, should begin next week.

"It's a great economic boost,” said Mayor Larry Haag. “It improves the complexion of the city, Main Street for sure."

"I'm excited about it,” said Amy Stuffle. “I think it's going to increase the value of downtown and it's going to look beautiful, so more people will be coming downtown to shop."

But what those shoppers find for the next four months may be rough to deal with.

Even though the work will be done in phases there will be times when sidewalks will be closed and businesses won't be accessible.

“We're going to do everything we can not to inconvenience them, but they will be inconvenienced some,” said Haag.

One of the problems here is that a half million dollars just doesn't go as far as it used to. This project is going to stop at First Street, but downtown extends for at least another block.

City officials had hoped to pay for that extra block out of local funds, but they say that money may not be available.

“We do have money allocated and encumbered from last year's budget, but our shortfall might eat that up," said Haag.

But with the funding in place and the contract awarded for the rest of the downtown, the city will go ahead with what it can and deal with the rest of it when it can.

City officials and downtown merchants are expected to meet Friday afternoon to discuss the time schedule