Goshen consider city building design changes

Dani Messick, Goshen News, Ind.
·2 min read

Mar. 14—GOSHEN — Goshen is hoping to change the blueprint for city facilities.

At the Goshen Board of Public Works & Safety meeting Thursday, the board entered into an agreement with Cripe Design for $13,000 for the study of potential use and renovation of the Goshen City Police/Courts Building, Goshen City Hall, the Goshen Chamber of Commerce Building and the Goshen News back building on Fifth Street.

Considerations include attempts to move the city court, clerk's office, and evidence departments out of their current locations and possibly into the Goshen Chamber of Commerce building or the Goshen News building.

Not yet purchased by the city, the Goshen Chamber of Commerce building at 232 S. Main St., and Goshen News building at 107 and 111 S. 5th St., are under consideration for use as police department evidence storage, labs, and offices; or city court and clerk offices, or maintenance department storage.

The police and courts building at 111 E. Jefferson St. is also being studied to determine a plan to expand into those locations on the property, which would be vacated following any renovation projects into the other spaces.

Cripe Design's agreement also includes a feasibility study of workspaces at City Hall.

OTHER BOARD ITEMS INCLUDE:

Approval of the retirement of Goshen Police Officer Michael Miller effective March 22, after 32 years of service;

They also approved conditional offers of employment for Quinten Allen Bland, Darrick Leighton Braun, Aaron James Dolph, Preston Ryan Lancour, Luis Alberto Lopez, Logan Jacob Wenger and Rodger Dale Wigent;

The board approved the interlocal agreement with the Elkhart County Humane Society for animal control services for 2024 at $93,940;

Rowell Chemical Corp. was awarded a contract for Sodium Hypochlorite for $1.79 per gallon for 2024. The company was identified as the lowest responsive and responsible bidder;

Colin Avila d/b/a Yardshark was awarded a contract for city lawn services for 2024. The contract is for lawn mowing and maintenance services for 18 different sites including City Hall, the Goshen Police Training Facility, stormwater basins, and several other city-owned properties;

The board also approved an extension for the closure of Douglas Street west of 10th Street until Sept. 30. The request came from NiBlock Excavating, which is working on the 10th Street Renovation Project. The area that remains closed, running against the railroad will have a layer of block over the pipes and stone already on the site. Director of Public Works Dustin Sailor said that allowing the contractor to remain in control of the area keeps the contractor in control in case something happens during the rest of the construction process. Niblock will continue to coordinate access for deliveries for Gleason Industries.

Dani Messick is the education and entertainment reporter for The Goshen News. She can be reached at dani.messick@goshennews.com or at 574-538-2065.