SULLIVAN, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – A two million dollar grant from INDOT will allow for improvements to sidewalks in Sullivan.
Mayor Clint Lamb says the sidewalks that will be renovated will run from the intersection of Main and East Washington street to Stewart street.
Lamb says this is a project that will connect the nearly 2,000 seasonal residents at the Sullivan City Lake directly to the downtown square.
“What we have in the city of Sullivan is a golf cart city contiguous to a city and we’re trying to attract all those folks to beautiful downtown Sullivan,” Lamb said.
David Dubree, the director of Innovate Sullivan, says these sidewalks will make the city of Sullivan more walk-able, which he believes will drive more business in the downtown area.
“When you see the new sidewalks and the very walk-able area, the stores downtown, everything you need in a centralized area, that’s very attractive,” Dubree said.
Some business owners along the stretch of sidewalk that will be renovated say they are excited about the upcoming changes and they believe it will have an impact.
“Keep the business here and make the people feel welcomed here, like they can come here and have something to see and do when they come from other cities. I think it’ll boost us,” said Betty Shay, owner of Wolf Creek Mercantile.
Mayor Lamb says some initial work for the project is being done now but the official letting date isn’t until 2023.
Lamb says former Sullivan mayor, Mayor Donnelly, pushed for a link between downtown and the city lake in the 1980’s, and he’s glad to make that vision come true.
