Mike Wolanin | The Republic Rick Trimpe, Bartholomew County maintenance superintendent, sets up a ribbon for a ribbon cutting ceremony during an open house for the new Bartholomew County Highway Garage in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, April 21, 2022.
Bartholomew County officials conducted an open house and dedication for its new county highway garage at 10163 E 25th St. on Thursday.
The county’s former garage was located on State Street in Columbus and had been considered unsuitable to continue to house and repair the county’s vehicles and snow removal equipment, among other items.
Located east of Petersville, the garage facility consists of a 22,000 square foot main building off East 25th Street, located on what was once 11.25-acres of farm land.
Beside the main building, there is also a 14,400 square foot outer shed that will house 15 dump trucks, as well as a 12,800 square foot structure for storing other equipment, County Highway Superintendent Dwight Smith said.
The project was funded through a $6 million bond and through county income tax revenues. Total cost was estimated at about $8 million for the building.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic County commissioner Carl Lienhoop, from left, county attorney Grant Tucker, county commissioner Tony London, former county commissioner Rick Flohr, county commissioner Larry Kleinhenz and former county commissioner Paul Franke perform a ribbon cutting during an open house for the new Bartholomew County Highway Garage in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, April 21, 2022.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Bartholomew County Commissioner Larry Kleinhenz gives a speech during an open house for the new Bartholomew County Highway Garage in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, April 21, 2022.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Bartholomew County Commissioner Tony London gives a speech during an open house for the new Bartholomew County Highway Garage in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, April 21, 2022.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Bartholomew County Commissioner Carl Lienhoop gives a speech during an open house for the new Bartholomew County Highway Garage in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, April 21, 2022.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic People attend an open house for the new Bartholomew County Highway Garage in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, April 21, 2022.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Rick Trimpe, left, Bartholomew County maintenance superintendent, smiles as Bartholomew County Commissioner Larry Kleinhenz jokes around with a pair of giant scissors before a ribbon cutting ceremony during the open house for the new Bartholomew County Highway Garage in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, April 21, 2022.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic People attend an open house for the new Bartholomew County Highway Garage in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, April 21, 2022.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic People attend an open house for the new Bartholomew County Highway Garage in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, April 21, 2022.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Rick Trimpe, Bartholomew County maintenance superintendent, sets up a ribbon for a ribbon cutting ceremony during an open house for the new Bartholomew County Highway Garage in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, April 21, 2022.
