Dieterich Moves Ahead w/Design Work on Downtown Renovations

Dieterich village board members have awarded engineering work on a renovation project in the downtown area.

Dieterich Economic Development Coordinator Brittny Gipson said Milano and Grunloh of Effingham will do the design work for $82,353. 

The project will involve street and pedestrian lighting and sidewalks, boulevards and, where needed, storm sewers. The work is being done to create a unified look in the downtown area. The work will be done on portions of Section Street, Park Street, Pine Street and Church Street. 

Gipson said the project is to include a pickup and dropoff lane at Dieterich schools. The hope is that the work there will be finished in time for the start of the 2020-2021 school year. The project is to be on the State's March bid letting.

The Dieterich board also discussed future uses of the creek area adjacent to Industrial Park East. Gipson said the discussion focused on a walking trail along the creek in the area west of that new industrial park. She said the State is looking at another grant period later in 2020 where funds could be sought to assist with the project. 

The discussion was very preliminary, but Board members seemed receptive to the project.

The Village Board also extended by one year an agreement with the Dogra family on a lot in Hartke Subdivision. The family business in Mattoon burned, so that hampered the family in getting work started on their home.