Groundbreaking on the new Bartholomew County Highway Garage, which had been scheduled for June 10, could be delayed for two months or more.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has warned the county that the 11.25-acre construction site off East 25th Street, next to the Clay Township Fire Department, may contain wetlands, project consultant Charlie Day of DLZ Indiana Inc. said.
The news came after a DNR representative visited the site on May 30 after the county applied for an Environmental Rule 5 Construction General Permit, Day said. In their review, the representative only stated there is a possibility that wetlands might be located where the garage and outbuildings, which could cost up to $9.4 million, are planned.
“We’re not saying wetlands are going to be impacted (by construction),” Day said. “But we have to review where the building pads and outbuildings are to determine if they could be impacted.”
In response, the Bartholomew County Commissioners decided they will proceed as planned by opening construction bids for the highway garage on Thursday, June 13. However, the commissioners agreed to add an addendum that submitted bids must be valid for 120 days, rather than the normal 60 days, in order to investigate the DNR concerns.
For more on this story, see Tuesday’s Republic.
