BTC’s 21 by 21 projects are announced with one being 50-50 grant for new sidewalks for property owners

By John Estridge

Early this year, Brookville Town Council President Curtis Ward launched a program for the town, 21 By 21.

Soliciting public input, Ward wants to do somewhat small projects around the town that can be yet accomplished this calendar year. The guiding principles are: Do what we can when we can and eliminate the negative and accentuate the positive.

Ward read the 21 projects during the March 9 BTC meeting. Maybe the most far reaching is establishing a grant program through the Brookville Redevelopment Commission to go 50-50 with town homeowners to put in new sidewalks along their respective properties.

Several of the projects involve the already popular Brookville Town Park. To help in this, Ward and BTC are looking into creating a Parks Board. In that manner, the park system will be eligible for grants.

The 21 programs are:

Benches along Main Street. Install six new benches and relocate some benches to be placed in front of Works of Mercy in the old Brookville Water Works Building. Main Street Group and the Street Department will be in charge of that.
Safe meeting space/marketplace swap. This is for exchanges such as Craig’s List. A dedicated spot will be established near the Brookville Police Station on Main Street. BTC and the Brookville Police Department will be in charge of that.
Schilling Center interior improvement. This includes painting and repairing walls as well as replacing the carpet. BTC is in charge of that project.
Gateway signs. Four or five new “Welcome” signs will be placed near town gateways. Bill Schirmer and the Brookville Street Department are in charge of that project.
Sidewalk Matching Fund. Establish a 50/50 matching fund to help residents/businesses repair/replace sidewalks. The responsible party is the Brookville Redevelopment Commission.
Continue and expand the Façade Improvement Fund. Expand the 2020 initiative to include more façade improvements/updates in addition to allowing alternative civic design projects such as alley enhancements. An example is string lighting in alleys. Brookville Redevelopment Commission is the responsible party.
Complete two to three new mural projects. Identify and support new mural projects within town with one example being the Brookville Police Department wall facing the town parking lot. Franklin County Arts Council and Main Street Group are the responsible parties.
Farmers Market on Main. The farmer’s market would be moved from the south end of town below Oregon Hill to the town lot between the police department and the former Rosenberger’s. Responsible parties are BTC and Bob O’Bryan.
Construction of a fourth softball field. Complete the addition of a fourth softball field in the town park. Responsible parties are the Girls Softball Organization and Brookville Street Department.
Frisbee Golf Course. Install nine-to-18-hole Frisbee Golf Course (ostensibly at the town park). Responsible parties are Adam Moehlman/Curtis Ward and the Brookville Street Department.
Expand electrical access in lower town park. Add additional outlets to support Winter Wonderland and Canoefest. Responsible parties are Cathy Pelsor and Brookville Street Department.
Park after Dark events/bingo nights. Create monthly movie nights and other events during the summer months. Responsible parties are BTC and another yet unidentified organization.
Wifi extension throughout the town park. This is contingent on the Covid Phase III Grant. The application was made on March 11. Responsible parties are BTC and ARa (Note: reporter not sure who or what ARa is).
Pave 8^th Street parking lot. Finish the parking lot project across 8^th Street from the Eagles. Brookville Town Council and Street Department are the responsible parties.
Complete the 6th Street parking lot. Finish Blight Elimination Project. Brookville Redevelopment Commission is the responsible party.
K9 Officer. Approve fundraising efforts/secure funds for purchase of K9 for BPD. Responsible parties are BPD and BTC.
Enhance Christmas lights on Main Street. Add colorful lights and/or garland during the Christmas season. Responsible parties are BTC, Main Street Group and Brookville Volunteer Fire Department.
Expand Winter Wonderland with a Christmas Light Contest. Have a town-wide lighting contest in conjunction with Winter Wonderland. Responsible parties are Cathy Pelsor and Winter Wonderland Committee.
Update basketball courts. Update some of the basketball goals in the town park. The responsible party is the Street Department.
Fitness walk in town park. Designate exercise zones/activities. It could be as simple as signs instructing activities or by adding stations. The Street Department is the responsible party.
Add electric car charging station. Designate a spot in the parking lot between the BPD and the former Rosenberger’s for a charging station. Responsible party is BTC.