Sidewalks, roads and parking stalls along Indiana and Center streets will be closed during renovations on the Lake City Bank building at 122 E. Center St., Warsaw. Photo by David Slone, Times-Union.

By David Slone
Times-Union

WARSAW — Lake City Bank is investing $12 million in the renovation of its downtown Warsaw building at 122 E. Center St. for its Innovation and Technology Center, but the construction work will mean the closure of sidewalks, parking stalls and parts of Center and Indiana streets for up to 10 months.

At the Warsaw Board of Public Works and Safety meeting Friday, Sept. 5, Warsaw Public Works Director Dustin Dillon presented the closure requests on behalf of Weigand Construction Inc. for Lake City Bank.

“The request is to close the sidewalk, three parking stalls, merge the eastbound lane on Center Street along with the left-hand turn lane in front of 122 E. Center St. That will be from Sept. 15 through Nov. 21,” Dillon said. “And also to close the sidewalk on Indiana Street on the west side, the parking stalls, and southbound lane of Indiana from 9/15 all the way through July of next year.”

According to the road closure request form, the closures will include:

• On the west side of Indiana Street, including the sidewalk, parking spaces and southbound lane of Indiana Street on the corner of Center Street. This will only be in front of the Lake City building. Closure dates are Sept. 15, through July 6, 2026.

• On the south side of Center Street, including the sidewalk, parking spaces and eastbound lane of Center Street on the corner of Indiana Street. This will only be in front of the Lake City building. Closure dates are Sept. 15, through Nov. 21.

Dillon explained Lake City Bank has a huge renovation project that they’re getting ready to do downtown, and the closures were deemed not only necessary but “they are the most optimal for timely completion and safety for all involved.”

The nine-week closure on Center Street will give Weigand Construction the best opportunity to do the work with efficient space, weather and safety to complete the first phase of the project, Dillon stated. It’ll also get the sidewalk opened back up before the holiday shopping season. Hopefully, he noted, it won’t take the full nine weeks.

“Our city teams reviewed (the request). We asked Weigand to come up with some alternatives throughout the process, again, just doing all the research, making sure it was the least impact with the best results for everybody involved, as well as the safety aspect, too,” Dillon said.

The city met with Main Street Warsaw and the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce to try to help get the word out about the closures, he continued. They met with downtown merchants and did “as much as we can” to inform people and get them to see this was the best option.

Board of Works member George Clemens said it was a long time for a road closure, but looking at the project “this is the best way to go.”

Councilwoman and Board member Diane Quance said people will still be able to make a left turn from Center to Indiana, but there just won’t be a designated lane for that.

“Correct,” Dillon said. “So the eastbound traffic going down Center Street will share the lane with the left-hand turn lane.”

He said drivers will still be able to go northbound on Indiana Street.

Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Rob Parker said in August the Chamber had a board meeting, reviewed Lake City Bank’s project and asked Parker to write a letter in support of the project.

Reading the letter, Parker said, “On behalf of the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, I am pleased to express our enthusiastic support for Lake City Bank’s planned $12 million investment in downtown Warsaw. This transformative project represents a significant step forward in enhancing the vitality and economic resiliency of our city’s core.

“Recognizing the importance of this initiative, the chamber’s board has formally issued a statement of support and directed the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce to invest $25,000 in Kosciusko Cash during the construction phase.

This investment is intended to encourage continued patronage of downtown businesses and help mitigate the temporary disruptions that construction may cause. Additionally, the Chamber will launch a series of social media posts and advertisements to remind residents and visitors alike that downtown Warsaw remains open for business throughout the duration of this project.”

Parker continued, “We understand that growth often comes with growing pains, and small business owners may feel the impact of construction-related challenges. However, we firmly believe that once completed, this project will deliver long-term benefits to our local entrepreneurs, residents and the broader community. A revitalized downtown will attract new visitors, foster economic development and reinforce Warsaw’s reputation as a vibrant and welcoming place to live, work and invest.

“We commend Lake City Bank for its vision and its commitment to our community, and we look forward to the positive changes this project will bring,” he concluded.

Mayor Jeff Grose said a lot of stakeholders have been very involved in the planning process and he appreciated their patience.

“Full-court press by my staff and a great effort by Weigand. Really appreciate Lake City Bank to work through the consequences of a massive project like this, and doing the best we can,” Grose stated.

Quance made a motion to approve the request to close the left-hand turn lane in front of 122 E. Center St., close the sidewalk on Indiana Street, close the parking stalls on the west side of Indiana and the southbound lane of Indiana Street. Clemens seconded the motion and it passed 3-0.

“I’m just excited. It’s exciting to have. It’s growth downtown, it’s bettering downtown, it’s investment downtown,” Dillon said.

City attorney Scott Reust had a concern about the motion. He said he didn’t hear closing the sidewalk on Center Street in front of 122 E. Center St. in the motion. Quance amended her motion to approve the closures request as presented, and that motion passed unanimously.