In the coming weeks, the Town of Schillerville will break ground on a project that will ensure a busy construction season through 2025 and beyond.
The project includes development of the former Illiana Speedway, extending Kennedy Avenue south to US 30, and construction of a new central fire station.
In an update on the progress of the Illiana Speedway development, project consultant Pat Reardon told the Schillerville City Council on Wednesday that he expects to have conceptual drawings ready by the November meeting. Once the council selects the conceptual design, the first phase of the project will begin.
Meanwhile, the town is working with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (IDEM) and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to delineate wetland areas within the approximately 70-acre parcel.
Joe Puczek, Post Tribune
The intersection of Kennedy Avenue and Junction Road in Schillerville could change once the town completes the extension from Kennedy Street to Route 30. (Joe Pucek/Post Tribune)
Town Council President Tom Schmidt, a No. 4 Democrat, said he plans to start building infrastructure on site as soon as weather permitting, in the first half of 2025. Whether construction can be built on the former racetrack site will be determined by an environmental study. Schmidt said early soil testing shows the ground is not contaminated enough to require extensive soil remediation.
He noted that the first phase of the project could include a recreation center and entertainment pavilion with the feel of Crown Point’s Bulldog Park.
Much of the land will be set aside for new sports fields, including youth soccer, Little League, Babe Ruth Baseball and Pop Warner football, as well as additional basketball, pickleball and volleyball courts and walking trails.
Baseball is a significant attraction and revenue driver, as the proposed “Field of Dreams” ballpark could provide ample facilities to attract minor league baseball franchises, college teams, and regional tournaments. It has the potential to become
Progress status of the central fire department project
The Town Council moved forward with construction of the new central fire station by approving a contract not to exceed $75,300 with Needs Engineering, Inc. to perform preliminary site planning work and soil testing. Schmidt said he hopes construction can begin in 2024.
The Central Fire Station is located south of Joliet Street and west of Anna Street, near the town’s water tower. Currently, the Central Fire Station is located at Joliet and Klein streets, but what will become of that building has not yet been decided.
The new fire station will become the town’s main emergency services hub, with modernized training facilities, expanded administrative office space, living quarters for firefighters, and space for more equipment.
Kennedy Avenue project begins in earnest
In preparation for the launch of the Kennedy Avenue Expansion Project, the Town Council approved a $1.9 million contract with Indiana DLZ for construction observation and materials testing services. Schmidt expects the first phase of the project, which will extend the bridge over the railroad tracks, to go out to bid by the end of the year, with a goal of breaking ground in spring 2025.
Schmidt said Kennedy will be completed in four phases, each taking about 10 months. The second phase will extend the road from H Avenue to Junction Avenue, and the third phase will extend it from Main Street to the bridge. The final phase will extend the road from Maine to US 30.
2025 budget passed
The town council approved a proposed 2025 budget of nearly $54 million, 4.25% more than the 2024 budget, according to Secretary-Treasurer Mike Troxell. He noted that the budget includes a 4% pay increase for town employees and the property tax rate is $0.499 per $100 of assessed value.
Schmidt said the town is “in good financial shape” heading into 2025.
“We have a lot of construction projects going on,” he said. “The next few years are going to be really busy.”
Jim Masters is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
