BEDFORD — Aside from a small change in course for the Stonecutters Place senior apartments, work on Bedford’s Stellar Communities projects is proceeding as scheduled.
That was the gist of a report Marla Jones provided to Bedford City Council members last week. Jones, the city’s business and community development director, is handling details on most of the Stellar work.
For Stonecutters Place, designers will use the old Carriage House Furniture building at 16th and K streets, the Brock and Sears building next door and two adjacent properties to create 30 apartments. The Carriage House building (the red brick structure that also has housed a radio factory) will be preserved and renovated.
Originally, designers hoped to preserve the facade of the Brock and Sears building, to retain the historic storefront appearance. But Jones said the structure did not fare well through the rough winter.
“That wall will have to come down, too,” she said. “Up until this point, it was thought that would be a viable wall.”
So designers have come up with a slightly altered concept, with a new L-shaped structure connected to the old radio factory building. Artists’ concepts show a limestone-and-brick exterior.
The change won’t alter the work schedule much — probably by less than a month, Jones said.
The new design “will fit into the block very nicely,” said Mayor Shawna Girgis.
Jones and Girgis also touched on other major pieces of the Stellar Communities work.
Stone Gate Arts and Education Cultural Center: This project would transform the now-vacant building at 15th and J streets into a facility that would house classes (such as those offered through Ivy Tech Community College and Oakland City University-Bedford) as well as artistic programs, such as stage presentations. Jones said the idea is to use all of the building, which has two stories above the basement. Girgis said designers will consult Ivy Tech and OCU-B officials as they draw up plans.
Facade renovations: As previously reported, a new architect is working on the project. Jones said the proposal is to redo as many as 20 facades downtown. “Even if we did 15 I would be happy,” she said, noting that cost will be a factor. “But 20 was our target.”
Streetscape improvements: The plans call for improved sidewalks pedestrian areas and other amenities downtown. In May the city received the OK from the Indiana Department of Transportation to proceed.
Milwaukee Depot: Funded by an INDOT grant, the project calls for moving the now-vacant Milwaukee Depot to a lot on J Street closer to downtown. The idea is to use it as an office building, such as housing the Lawrence County Tourism Commission, and a starting place for a walking trail. Architects, engineers and designers went through the building, Jones said. “They were very pleased with what they saw.” No date has been set for the move, Girgis said.
Limestone Trails: Part of the a larger plan for trails throughout the city, the Stellar project would form a downtown loop to link with the Milwaukee Trail, a separate path that heads south and west of the city along an old railroad line.
Murals: Funded by local sources, this part of the project would add public art — such as a mural on the east side of the Times-Mail building — to the downtown area. “We’re excited about this, because the goal would be to have it (the Times-Mail mural) done before the Bedford Half Marathon (in October),” Girgis said.
Courthouse lawn: A committee that includes county officials is working on plans to improve the landscaping and pedestrian walkways on the downtown courthouse property.
Downtown business development: Under Stellar, the Lawrence County Economic Growth Council would look to buy and rehabilitate buildings downtown, putting them to use as low-cost business spaces. The idea is to help local businesses develop and stay in the city.