Resident’s complaints spur Huntingburg Council to weigh beautification push

Huntingburg–A resident’s blunt assessment of rundown buildings and eyesores last month has pushed the Huntingburg Common Council to consider a townwide beautification effort.

Randy Wahl, who told the council he was a councilman in Texas before moving to the area, spent several minutes of citizen comment time cataloging what he called long-neglected properties around town: collapsed sheds visible from an alley off Sycamore Street, a building near the IGA that’s sat wrapped in house wrap — not a proper moisture barrier, he said — for months, and rental houses on the south end of town he described as an ongoing problem.

“This ain’t something that just happened overnight,” Wahl said. “This is like a long-term issue that somebody hasn’t addressed.”

Wahl argued the city needs a dedicated code enforcement officer rather than a raise for an existing position. He also proposed the city consider a landscaping ordinance for industrial and commercial lots along the Main Street corridor. He specifically named Superior Ag’s operations north of the railroad crossing as well as the now empty gravel lot across the street that was recently cleared of the former gas station.

On housing, Wahl suggested a volunteer model: local contractors, painters and lumber suppliers banding together to fix up homes owned by elderly or low-income residents who can’t afford repairs themselves. He pointed to Indiana Landmarks’ ongoing renovation of a house at Second and Main — the same organization behind the West Baden Springs and French Lick Springs Hotel restorations — as a model already at work in town.

Councilman Jeff Bounds told Wahl the council had discussed scheduling a dedicated code enforcement meeting, though no date had been set. The official said the council shares Wahl’s frustration but also weighs compassion for residents who are elderly or lack the funds to maintain their properties.

“I think you’ve got a council here that feels like you do about some of the things we see through town and there needs to be something done,” Bounds told Wahl. “We agree with you there, and for most of us, it isn’t happening fast enough.”

Bounds added that the council also has to consider individuals’ circumstances, whether those are physical limitations or funding issues.

“Trying to have a certain amount of compassion in those instances is is important to all of us,” Bounds said. “But at the same time, we’re all proud of our town, and we want to remain that way.”

At Tuesday’s regular meeting, Councilman Tim Wehr raised the subject directly, referencing Wahl’s comments from the previous meeting.

Wehr asked if they could create a group or work with an existing organization to take on the project. He suggested the city could work with property owners — through donations or direct requests — to plant trees or bushes as a visual screen, and floated whether Destination Huntingburg, the group focused on drawing visitors to the city, might take it on.

Bounds added to Wehr’s statement and expanded the idea into a corridor-wide push along U.S. 231, comparing it to the Stellar Community Project’s model of spreading improvements over time. He suggested the city could invite property owners — businesses, private citizens, rental property owners — to voluntarily commit to a 12- to 24-month beautification deadline, betting that a coordinated push would draw more participation than expected.

Other council members were receptive to the idea.

Councilman Steve McPherron said that if a committee was formed, they could likely approach property owners diplomatically to elicit some cooperation.

I think a lot of people would just get on board,” he said. “They are good stewards of our community.”

Councilwoman Pam Bolte said they could also work with landscaping professionals to determine what landscaping would be best for their efforts.

Mayor Neil Elkins explained that the city applied for two tree-planting grants — one for 300 trees, one for 600 — targeting the city’s hottest areas, including near the former hospital, the senior center and Veterans Parkway, but lost both bids, most recently in 2024.

He added that, despite the issues Mr. Wahl raised, the city received compliments from visitors to the area. “A lot of visitors are very impressed with Huntingburg,” Mayor Elkins said.

Referencing the recent Red, White and Boots concert at League Stadium, he explained that five people moved to Huntingburg after visiting during a previous year’s concert.

No formal committee had been created as of the meeting’s end. The mayor would need to appoint members with specific relevant skills — a landscaping background, real estate experience, or property ownership along the corridor were mentioned — and give the group a defined task list to keep the project from stalling.

McPherron joked that a councilman with a residence along the corridor should likely be a mandatory committee member, referring to Councilman Bounds, who lives just north of State Road 64 on Main Street.

The council also took the following actions Tuesday.

Bicycle ordinance update. Council reviewed the Park Board’s recommendation on a bicycle ordinance update. Due to some confusion over the park board minutes, the council tabled any decision until after the next park board meeting. Elkins said the council will get a draft of the ordinance before the approval process. He added that an enforcement plan is being worked out with the police chief and assistant chief.

Gas management contract fee increase. The city’s natural gas purchases are handled by a company called Utility Gas Management (UGM), under contract since May 2013. UGM asked to raise its management fee from 6 cents to 8 cents per million BTU — a 33% jump, the first increase since the contract began. Councilman Bounds pressed for a dollar figure; nobody in the room could give one. Mayor Elkins defended the relationship, saying UGM stayed roughly three weeks ahead of past gas-price spikes and buys at better rates than the open market. Resolution 2026-30, approving the amendment, passed on a voice vote — no roll call was taken.

New playground fund created. The parks department has received a grant and private donations to redo playground equipment at the city’s main park. To accept the money, the council had to create a dedicated fund by ordinance. Ordinance 2026-32 establishes the Huntingburg Main Park Playground Fund, restricted to new playground equipment, picnic tables, and lighting at that site — not maintenance of existing equipment. The council approved creating the fund.