Turkey Creek Dam and Dike Conservancy Board Members Bill Pipp and Dave Johnston stand on Hawaiian Village Dike looking at where construction will begin. In the background are homes along Harkless Drive, south of the bridge and on the man-made channel. Photos by Deb Patterson.

By Deb Patterson
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — A proposal for repairing the Hawaiian Village Dike is now being sent into the hands of the Indiana Natural Resource Commission and Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

The proposal was approved during a special meeting of the Turkey Creek Dam and Dike Monday afternoon, Dec. 12.

Once approval is received, the project can move forward.

The engineer’s estimate to repair the dike is $944,000. It is hoped bids can be received and awarded around the first of the year to allow work to begin in February.

It is unknown how long before the approval from the two state agencies will be received. “It could be 30 seconds or three months,” stated Bill Pipp, board president. “I would like to get it done sooner than later.”

The district is ready to take the next step and asked its attorney, David Hollenbeck, to do what he can to convince state authorities to make this their highest priority. “We need to get this done expeditiously,” said Pipp.

While going over the 218-page document, some errors were discovered. A brief discussion was held whether the pages where the errors occurred were not necessary for official approval. Hollenbeck was instructed to take a close look at the document and, if he felt something was wrong, contact officials at Lawson Fisher, engineers.

The south end of the Hawaiian Village Dike area, looking toward Pickwick Drive.