Cloverdale approves bid for stormwater project

It's official. After having to go back to the drawing board, the town of Cloverdale is moving forward with a stormwater project that town leaders feel can position the town nicely in the future. 

After seeing bids initially come in over initial estimates earlier this year, the town had to re-bid the project and on Tuesday, town council approved a bid for close to $745 thousand from All-American Express Solutions, of Indianapolis. Cloverdale was awarded a $600 thousand grand from the Office of Community and Rural Affairs last year to put towards the project and the rest of the funds will come from the town. 

As a result of having to re-bid the project, the scope of the project had to be changed as well. 

The initial scope called for relief and improvements across Cloverdale, including Stardust Hills and Doe Creek Drive. In Stardust Hills, the plans called for the installation of 70 feet of 12-inch pipe, 80 feet of 18-inch pipe and 70 feet of 24-inch pipe as well as a rehab of the road and Stardust Way being resurfaced with ditch excavation work. For Doe Creek, there was to have been 165 feet of 12-inch pipe, 325 feet of 15-inch pipe, ditch excavation work and road rehab. 

Under the new plan, Stardust Hills, the fire department area, South Doe Creek and the northeast portion of the business district are slated to receive upgrades and improvements. 

Cloverdale Town Council President Brandon Tancak said it is a "good feeling" knowing work can start.

"It is a good feeling and knowing that the construction can start this summer is an even better feeling," Tancak told The Putnam County Post. 

Tancak said council is working hard to try and draw businesses and new residents to Cloverdale. 

"We are trying to make Cloverdale the place people see as a place to move to and a place to bring businesses to. We are committed to doing our best and bringing this type of infrastructure up to par as it has been neglected over the years. Sometimes the public doesn't see the money that has to be spent in order to maintain or improve something and this will be one of those instances for the most part," Tancak admitted. 

Work is expected to begin in July or early August.