Jasper Mayor Dean Vonderheide Presents Proposed Downtown Revitalization during County Commission Meeting

By Kris Norton

Dubois Co. - During Monday's County Commissioner Meeting, Jasper Mayor Dean Vonderheide took the floor to discuss Jasper's Downtown Revitalization plan.

The proposed Revitalization would upgrade the streets and alleys within one block of the court house,  from Jackson St. to Newton St., and from 5th to 7th streets. Mayor Vonderheide noted that some of the infrastructure is approaching 100 years old, and took a look at some possible changes and improvements.

"There is an alternative design for concrete sidewalks with decorative borders that we are looking at," Vonderheide said. "Originally it was pavers, and that's what drove the price up."

Additional improvements in the design included an ADA accessible ramp to the court house and streetscape improvements around the monument, as well as trees in planters.

The monument itself was brought up as a possible item for renovations as a council member noted that he had observed cosmetic issues.

The project was estimated to come with a $5 million price tag; Mayor Vonderheide asked that the county contribute financially.

During the Commissioners' meeting, the hiring of two individuals for the highway department was approved.