Busier fairgrounds requires additional parking spaces

With improvements to First Bank Kuhlman Center and First Bank Expo Hall, Wayne County’s commissioners hope to draw more events — and more people — to the Wayne County Fairgrounds.

Those people will often arrive in vehicles, increasing the need for parking around the fairgrounds’ showpiece buildings. During their Nov. 20 meeting, commissioners received a report from Mike Sharp, the county highway supervisor, and Brandon Sanders, the county engineer, about another parking lot.

The proposed lot would use about 1.2 acres of land east of Expo Hall and provide 95 new parking spots. It includes islands to help with drainage and protect an existing tree carving. 

Sharp said the highway department could work on the lot during the winter months, then recommended it remain gravel through the summer as gravel is compacted before paving occurs next fall. Materials are expected to cost about $125,000.

Sharp recommended against a second lot across Salisbury Road, saying the money would be better spent on improving roads within the fairgrounds rather than for parking used a few times a year. Commissioner Brad Dwenger said he agrees the second lot might not receive much use.

The proposal will be taken to the county’s fairgrounds committee to receive opinions.

Other business

• Roads in the Eagle Trace subdivision off Round Barn Road were accepted into the county’s road system. The roads have not been maintained by the county because they did not meet county standards until receiving recent upgrades.

• Commissioners have extended an offer to fill a vacant part-time position in the veterans services office.

• A $47,111.69 expense for additional masonry coating on the G Street bridge in Richmond was approved. The Indiana Department of Transportation will reimburse 80% of the cost.

• Commissioners approved moving ahead with the purchase of new software for the Emergency Communications Center.

• Smarrelli General Contractor and Thor Construction submitted bids to reconstruct the plaza outside the courthouse’s east entrance. The bids will be evaluated by LWC Inc.

• An interlocal agreement with Union County for court-appointed special advocates who work with children was approved. The interlocal received language modifications after automatically renewing for more than a decade.

• A 2016 Dodge Charger no longer used by the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office will be donated to Williamsburg’s fire department.

• Commissioners approved a $132,680 contract with Purdue University for the Extension office employees.

• A new sign providing information about Oliver P. Morton has been placed next to his statue on the second floor of the courthouse.