Town introduces proposed Bridal Lane right‑of‑way acquisition to build 10‑foot trail; staff seeks INDOT grant

Town staff introduced a proposed right‑of‑way acquisition on March 5 intended to create a 10‑foot asphalt trail linking State Road 67/US‑36 (near the Pizza Hut) to Water Street and the downtown park and library area. The project would piggyback on an INDOT roadway improvement and add sidewalks, lighting, a raised median and pedestrian crossings, staff said.

A town staff member, who presented maps and parcel appraisals, said the proposed trail would run through three parcels that together provide pedestrian connectivity from the high school area and Water Street into the downtown. Staff said Parcels 1 and 2 total about 2.24 acres with acquisition portions of roughly 0.61 acre and a combined full appraisal a little over $400,000; the acquisition value for that portion was stated at about $144,000. Parcel 3 was described as under 1.5 acres, with an acquisition portion of about one‑third of an acre and an appraisal a little over $200,000; staff gave an acquisition estimate for that parcel of roughly $35,000. Staff summarized the total estimated acquisition cost at about $179,000.

The staff member said the town has submitted grant paperwork through the local metropolitan planning organization and INDOT for an 80% reimbursement award; if the town receives the award, staff estimated the town’s 20% share would be about $36,000. The grant submission, staff said, should be decided in the April–May timeframe; if awarded, staff will work with Reedy Financial to assess feasibility and may return to the commission to amend the 2026 spending plan.

Commissioners asked how the trail would connect to planned INDOT sidewalks and whether safe pedestrian crossings would be included. The presenter said INDOT’s project would include sidewalks and crosswalks with beaconed crossings and a raised median at key locations, and the trail would tie into those improvements. A commissioner asked specifically where pedestrians would approach the trail and whether students coming from the high school would be able to use it; staff said the trail is intended to connect with planned high‑school sidewalks and provide direct, safer access to Water Street and downtown amenities.

Several commissioners raised concerns about wetland saturation on one of the parcels and existing drainage. One commissioner said the parcel is “highly saturated” and described an existing legal drainage into Pendleton; the presenter acknowledged wetlands and said the parcel is largely undeveloped and would require coordination on environmental constraints. Commissioners also voiced concerns about business access, potential sidewalk removal or replacement during INDOT construction and the timing of projects; staff said the projects are being coordinated so alignment and improvements will be consistent and that INDOT restores removed sidewalks as part of the state project.

Staff said the engineering work on the INDOT project and the right‑of‑way acquisition are being planned in sync and that appraisals are time‑sensitive. No formal action or vote on the project occurred at the March 5 meeting; staff said it will return to the commission for a decision if grant eligibility and award are confirmed.

The commission was told the grant application is expected to be decided by April or May; next steps are contingent on the award and the commission’s subsequent feasibility review and any amendment to the 2026 spending plan.