The City of Hobart broke ground Tuesday afternoon on their downtown infrastructure project which will replace and update water, sanitary and storm drain lines. While most of the work being done will be underground, the positive impact of the project will be felt throughout the entire community for years to come.
“We’re out here today to recognize the great work being done,” said Bob Fulton from the Hobart Sanitary Department. “I’ve been looking at a lot of pictures of Hobart over the ages and a lot of the stuff we’re replacing were put in long ago. When it’s done no one will see the work and that’s the interesting thing about sanitary and storm work. These are the arteries and veins of the city. To bring new life to Hobart we need new infrastructure to support it. I wish there was a giant monument to put up when we’re done but we won’t. Hobart will be good for another 50-70 years and that’s one of the commitments our Board has made; we want to keep our city sustained and growing.”
Sheila DeBonis spoke at the groundbreaking on behalf of the Hobart Redevelopment Commission.
“This is a big day for Hobart,” DeBonis said. “We’re very excited and proud to get this project started. The part of the project we can all see will be the parking lot created to give additional parking to downtown businesses and employees and their customers. Every penny we have we try to use as matching funds for larger grants that make some needed improvements in the downtown area.”
“We want to thank Mayor Snedecor and his staff for letting us serve him,” said Jay Niec from SEH Engineering Firm. “What you see today is laying the groundwork for what you won’t see tomorrow. The future will have a completely different vision to the downtown. It’s going to improve the means to provide services to not only Center Street but also Main Street. Where you’re standing now, in the next 2-3 months, will be a beautiful new parking lot. This theme will be carried out throughout the entire downtown.”
Hobart Mayor Brian Snedecor talked about the work that went into making the project a reality.
“This has really been a team effort,” Mayor Snedecor said. “If anything this can be called visionary. Not about where we’re at, but about where we can be. These groups have been working for months now on how we can get these things done. It’s easy to put these things to the side and let someone else do it, but our group really stepped up. It’s our responsibility and a lot of different elements make this possible. They have all brainstormed this to completion. I want to thank everyone who made this happen. The hard work has truly been a team project.”
“If the lines aren’t functioning it affects the rest of the community.” Mayor Snedecor continued. “This is a $3.8 million investment in our downtown corridor. This was not a 1 or 2 person plan. It takes a team and we celebrate the impact not only to the downtown but to the whole community.”
The project is being funded through a bond issued by the Hobart Redevelopment Authority and there will be no additional taxes or rate changes to the citizens of Hobart.