Bicknell looks to regenerate neighborhood

BICKNELL, Ind. (WTHI) - The Bicknell City Council is asking for a $2.3 million federal neighborhood stabilization grant, so it can regenerate a four-block.

Oak Street in Bicknell runs right through the middle of a four-block area that city officials have targeted for a major renovation.

Mayor John Flickinger said the plan is ambitious.

"Tear down blighted houses, spruce up the neighborhood. It will put people back to work. It will put some pride back into the community," Flickinger said.

This neighborhood has plenty of problem properties.

"The plan here isn't just to bulldoze down everything. It's to take targeted houses like this one, tear them down and replace them with new housing. As for those properties that are all right, the city has plans to help the owners of those as well," Flickinger said.