Brookville Redevelopment Commission unanimously approved a second $50,000 payment to the Main Street Brookville Revolving Loan Fund held by the Franklin County Community Foundation at its Monday evening meeting.

This was more a formality since the commission had previously committed a total of $100,000 and paid the first half in 2022. Vote was 4-0.
BRC may have some additional invoices come their way soon.

After completion of the Sidewalks to School project, it was found rework (regrading) needed to be done on the entrance at Fairfield Avenue leading down to the county highway garage. 

Town council president Bridget Hayes attended and said INDOT will not provide any more funds for the sidewalk program. HWC Engineering, Indianapolis, gave an estimate (material and labor included) of around $38,000 to fix the situation. Hayes then took all that information to county commissioners and asked for county pricing on all materials. Also, she said the county is providing free labor and HWC the free design, so the town is hopeful for a lower total bill.

Hayes then inquired whether redevelopment would pay for this rework. President Todd Thackery thought it “very appropriate”for his group to pay since they had paid all the local share for the project previously.

The commission has some bigger-ticket items looking for attention, namely completion of the south end storm sewer infrastructure and a new comprehensive or strategic investment plan. It was hoped Indiana’s Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) could help with some funding. As was discussed, this is not an option in the foreseeable future.

The town is currently working with two grants funded by OCRA (approximately $1.73 million) –PreservINg Main Street Façade Program and Hoosier Enduring Legacy Program (HELP). Hayes and Thackery confirmed that before the town is eligible for more funding, all construction must be completed, and accounts zeroed out on active grants. Since those may have completion dates well into the future, BRC may look at dipping into its own funds.

It wasn’t on the agenda, but Thackery had emailed members new state legislation that will affect redevelopment commissions starting in January 2024. BRC will need to develop and approve a spending plan –allocations and commitments of funds - for the calendar year ahead. He said there could be other assistance available for this in lieu of receiving grant money.

Member John Rudisell asked for a summary of BRC’s Brookville Façade Grant Program and how it benefits the community.

Thackery obliged, saying primarily Main Street businesses and property owners can develop a proposed project that’s approved by the Historic Preservation Commission according to Indiana Landmarks standards, with all associated permitting and zoning approved. BRC then matches 1-to-1 a total of $10,000 toward the project.

In other news, any development of residential TIF districts (Tax Increment Financing) within town is paused due to lack of building. Areas south and west (past Arby’s and Maple Grove Cemetery) have developable land, according to the board. 

It was announced La Casa De Lulus on Main Street signed for a liquor license. 

In funds updates, Fund 4440 (riverboat grant) remained at $76,231.21 while Fund 4445 (TIF) received a boost of $172,069.33 from the county auditor following the May property tax receipts. Its total stood at $527,915.37 prior to the June meeting.