Washington Commons project aims to revitalize city’s downtown
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe Now
Plans are progressing for a multi-million dollar project in downtown Washington. Our partners at WTWO-TV report Washington Commons aims to revitalize the downtown area by creating an outdoor gathering space.
The project is expected to include multiple pavilions and a performing arts stage spanning about one block along Main Street.
Last month, city officials accepted a $3.5 million bid, contingent on securing the funding.
According to Bryant Niehoff, executive director of the Daviess Economic Development Corp., the Washington City Council will provide $2 million, Daviess County Commissioners will provide $750,000, and the Daviess EDC is working to procure the balance of the bid.
“The goal is to close on the financing by the end of this month. It’ll be up to the contractor and working through the contract with them on when they can start,” Niehoff said. “In talking with the contractor, they feel that the project can start anytime once these details have been wrapped up, so its on the horizon, which is exciting.”
According to the station’s reporting, Niehoff believes the project will address several concerns voiced by residents over the years.
“Some of the feedback we continue to get from the community as get into our economic and community development is that there needs to be more events,” said Niehoff. “There needs to be more things happening in Washington and Daviess County, and ‘oh, by the way, we need to step up our beautification efforts.’ That’s what we continue to hear. So this project will certainly do both of those things for the community.”