By JONATHAN SNYDER
Final punch list items are being handled as Bluffton NOW! gets ready for the completion of phase one of the Downtown Pathways project.
While there is no official date for a ribbon cutting, the pathways are nearing completion and will have a ceremony sometime in September, according to Bluffton NOW! President Mike Lautzenheiser. Alley One, located between Johnson and Main streets connecting Perry and Market streets, Alley Two, located between Johnson and Marion streets connecting Perry and Market streets and Alley Four, located between Johnson and Main streets that connects Walnut and Washington streets, are all included in phase one of the project.
Lautzenheiser noted that there are some drainage items for alley four that Bluffton NOW! is working on, preventing the ribbon cutting ceremony. Phase one as a whole is still in the final stages of review to ensure compliance with municipal code standards.
Fundraising for artist work in alleys one and five will occur in combination with fundraising for alleys three and five, which will be done in phase two of the project. Lautzenheiser stated that not all the alleys are planned to have commissioned artwork, but they are open for discussion. Alley Five will, however, be primarily art focused.
“While the finishings would be similar to some of the other alleyways, it is specifically for an art showcase,” Lautzenheiser said. “There will be interchangeable displays in the alleyway itself.”
The feedback for the current alleys has been positive according to Lautzenheiser. Additionally, upkeep and maintenance of the alleys will be handled by the city, which was approved at a July 2 meeting of the Board of Public Works and Safety.
“I’ve felt that the feedback has been very positive,” Lautzenheiser said. “People really enjoyed seeing this type of amenity downtown and in their community. We’re starting to see a lot of photos and comments from businesses and individuals using them for their intended purposes, as both transportation and as destinations.”
The goal for phase two of the project is to raise $100,000 to hit a matching grant amount from the Wells County Foundation. While they are still in the preliminary fundraising phase, advertising for donations will be ramped up once the ribbon cutting is done for phase one.
jonathan@news-banner.com
