Wagoner A public hearing on a downtown revitalization project in Camden preceded Thursday night's Camden Town Council meeting.

The project will encompass Main Street from Church to Ohio streets and a half block north on Monroe, Water and Church streets.

Seven engineering firms submitted proposals, said council president Pete Wagoner. Of the seven, two firms will be interviewed.

"We're pleased we got as many as we did," he said.

To fund the project the town will pursue a Community Development Planning Block Grant in the amount of $29,700 with the town's match as $3,300.

Ken Smith was authorized to seek other grant funds on behalf of the town.

In order to qualify for revitalization, the area had to be declared a slum and blight area by adopting Resolution 2009-A.

A second public hearing preceded the meeting on the Indiana Housing Rehabilitation Project. Mark McCarty of Star Development said that all the work has been done and the state inspector came and caught a few mistakes that have already been corrected.

Due to the continued success of this project, the council agreed to pursue another Indiana Housing grant for the fall.

Smith Hoosier Heartland Highway

A meeting was held earlier in the day in Delphi by the Indiana Department of Transportation concerning the Hoosier Heartland Highway. Wagoner said that the time frame remains the same with a 2013 completion date for the entire project. Land acquisition and building of bridges have begun in Carroll County.

Wagoner said that plans are still being modified for the interchange with CR 75.

"It seems like they are moving forward, but there are still a lot of things to work out," he added.

Carroll County EDC

Carroll County Economic Development Executive Director Daryl Smith complimented Camden "for pursuing whatever avenues needed for the betterment of Camden."

Smith recognized council member Richard Fite, who is one of Camden's three representatives on the EDC. The other two are Bob Mc- Cain and Bob Overman.

Smith told about the two sites that the EDC has options on.

"We have added value to those sites and are marketing them in that way," he said.

Smith said that EDC would like to pursue a third option site with railroad access and the CR 75 interchange site would be a consideration.

There are not many sites in the state with both rail and four-lane access. Smith said this combination could be desirable for a heavy industrial enterprise.

Wagoner reiterated the town's desire to work with the EDC.

Smith explained that tax incremental financing (TIF) districts could be a tool to get infrastructure improve- ments for site development.

Other business

Wagoner reported that Unity Healthcare told him that they still plan to develop Dr. Anderson's office as a medical facility. Maintenance issues with the building are being addressed.

The bid for the wastewater upgrade project was awarded to Robert E. Crosby. Wagoner said that he expects work to begin when weather permits, probably in April.

Clerk-treasurer Pat Casserly was instructed to pursue grants for the emergency shelter restroom project.

The Community Club Building will be used by the American Legion for a Broasted Chicken Dinner on March 11 and by the Community Club for its annual Fish Fry on March 21.

Jackson Township Trustee Bill Dittman has set up a community information meeting on the Kernan- Shepard report for March 18 at 7 p.m. in the Community Building.

The next council meeting will be March 12 at 7 p.m.