By Liz Shepherd
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — Warsaw’s Board of Public Works and Safety approved a study agreement on the city’s downtown streetscape improvement plan during a Nov. 19 meeting.

USI Consultants Inc., an Indiana-based civil engineering and surveying firm, will complete the study.

In a Nov. 1 meeting, city council approved plans to spend more than $50,000 on a study that will provide guidelines on how to improve the existing streetscape.

Streetscape work in the downtown would include the roads, crosswalks and sidewalks.

Engineers will examine elements on Warsaw’s downtown streetscape and provide professional solutions on how best to maintain and build on what already exists. As requested by city council, the process will include a public input meeting.

“The last time the beautification (of downtown Warsaw) was done was around 20 years ago,” said City Planner Justin Taylor. “So we’re looking at refreshing that and best practices moving forward.”

The total cost of the study is $59,200, with $29,000 on concept development; $25,200 on prototypical detail development; and $5,000 for a public information meeting.

Taylor also said the city plans to replace around 16 trees in the downtown this fall.

Also during the meeting, the board approved a grant of utility easement in the area of North Maple Avenue.

Warsaw Wastewater Utility Assistant Manager Larry Hyden said the easement would involve 401 N. Maple Avenue, which is owned by Marcus and Stephanie Goodwin; and Maple Avenue Flowers, 403 N. Maple Ave. A sewer lateral coming straight out of the Goodwin property goes under the flower shop. Hyde said there’s been recurring problems with blockage in the lateral.

The next city Board of Works meeting is at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 3.