Fourth Street’s future on hold as board weighs options, cost
Huntingburg Board of Public Works tables paving decision for another month amid budget concerns and merchant input
The Huntingburg Board of Public Works has once again delayed a final decision on the future of Fourth Street, tabling the matter until next month after hearing from merchants, the project engineer, and community members at its most recent meeting.
VS Engineering has provided the board with five options to remedy the rutting and displaced bricks in the street. Prices range from $315,000 for an asphalt surface to $692,000 for a full concrete base with the brick pavers relaid on top. The middle options include a partial concrete base at intersections, with recompacted pavers throughout, at $437,000; a full concrete surface at $422,000; and a stamped concrete option at $578,000, which drew little enthusiasm from either the board or the merchant community.
Board members made clear that brick paver options face an uphill battle.
“I understand that some people want brick,” Boardmember Dustin Schmett said. “But if we put the brick back…we are going to be back to the same problem in five to seven years.”
Schmett added that the most expensive option, though likely the best for keeping the bricks, was too expensive to consider.
Mayor Neil Elkins indicated a preference for the asphalt option, calling it the most practical long-term choice given the city’s financial situation. He noted that state funding for local road projects has dropped by approximately $1.8 million since he took office, with further cuts looming due to recent state-level gas tax reductions.
He said any option exceeding $350,000 would require creative financing and could impact future budgets.
Kathryn Wilder, secretary for the Huntingburg Merchants Association, raised concerns around construction timelines. The concrete options have estimated construction windows of 60 to 120 days, with two phases to keep at least half the street open at all times.
“Especially with the economy now, we need all the foot traffic we can get,” Wilder told the board.
Elkins echoed those concerns, reporting that at least one business owner on the street told him a lengthy street closure could be devastating to her business.
Project engineer Brandon Durcholz, VS Engineering, confirmed that all construction timelines are weather-dependent and that actual timelines will ultimately be determined by whichever contractor is hired.
Wilder emphasized that whatever option is chosen, merchants want it to be safe, aesthetically pleasing, cost-effective, and completed as quickly as possible. She also asked board members to meet with the merchants to discuss the options.
The decision was tabled in part due to the absence of two board members and to allow more time to meet with the engineer to discuss the options.
The board is expected to take up the matter again in June.
