Economic Revitalization
Construction underway on Main Street in Beech Grove by Citizen’s Energy must be complete before Beech Grove can begin its Main Street project. – Photo by Nicole Davis
Beech Grove Mayor Buckley proud of city’s recent growth achievements
By Nicole Davis
Roads blocked off on Main Street are but a temporary inconvenience in the beginning of an effort to make Beech Grove more attractive to businesses.
“I want people to get used to hearing about economic revitalization because I am actively pursuing businesses to come here and relocate,” said Mayor Dennis Buckley. “That’s what makes our city go. Our city can’t go if we make everything residential. We have to have industry and business.”
Though the construction on Main Street it must be completed before the Main Street Project can begin. Citizen’s Energy contracted Hunt Construction Group to replace water lines underneath the road, so there will be less risk of needing to do so once the roads are repaved. This part of the construction is designated to be complete by Feb. 1, 2013. Buckley said if residents walking by watch, they may even see some of the city’s history come up with the road. Pieces of railroad tracks from the Inner Urban Rail Car built in the early 1900s are getting pulled up from underneath Main Street.
Buckley said the work is being done one block at a time to best minimize closures and have minimal impact on businesses.
While the water lines are being replaced, Buckley said there are many other improvements going on in the city. They have paved many alleys that run along Main Street. They have done Americans with Disabilities (ADA) sidewalk compliance along several areas including 10, 11, 12, 15, 16th streets and Emerson and I-465. They partnered with the city of Indianapolis to pave Garstang, Cincinnati and Big Four Road, which he said was probably the worst road in the city.
Buckley said with economic revitalization being very important in increasing the city’s assessed value, it has already began with the expansion of Marsh Supermarket, Alro Steel, Jackson Systems, Beech Grove Firearms & Range, Beech Grove Family Physicians, Yollie Oriental Market and the reconstruction of White Castle. Within the last week, a group called NRP has filed an application for tax credits to construct Senior Living facilities. Buckley said should they be awarded these credits it will be a substantial investment in the city.
Buckley said he is looking forward to the completed Main Street Project and how beautiful the city will look afterward.
“I think it’d be tremendous for the city,” Buckley said. “I’m looking forward to it not only as the Mayor but as a citizen who lives a block from it.”
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