Apache, Peace Tree drives to open by Monday

As the city of Rochester wraps up extension of Apache and Peace Tree drives, it looks ahead to extend McDonald Drive east to Southway 31.

Rochester Mayor Trent Odell says that newly extended Apache Drive and Peace Tree Drive should be open by Monday. 

The project on the city's southwest side was awarded $1 million in the first round of the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative, or READI program. Ground was broken last fall, as a ceremonial check for the matching funds was presented by the North Central Indiana Regional Planning Council. Finishing touches, including signage, were being added Tuesday. Accompanying fencing, outside of the grant award, also is being installed. 

Apache Drive, which previously ended at Beacon Credit Union, has been extended north to State Road 14 and Park Road. Peace Tree Drive, which runs north of Kroger, was extended west to tie into that.

"We didn't want the streets open until we had all the signs and everything up, so that they're safe to drive," Street Superintendent Duane Border said, noting there was some miscommunication with the contractor that led to barricades being taken down and put back up. 

"The signs that we're putting up is the finishing piece that needed to be done," he added. "We just had to wait on locates before we could start sinking posts in the ground."

The fencing, which is being installed by Shirk's Custom Fencing, does not need to be complete before the streets are opened, however, barricades were left up a little longer than expected as equipment and materials are brought in for that work. 

"Our hope is to be able to get them down by Monday," Odell said of the barricades. 

A privacy fence between Country Meadows and Apache Drive is anticipated to be complete by the end of the week. Another will then be installed on the north side of the project area, between Schoolview Drive and Peace Tree Drive.

Border noted that the city was able to cover the cost of the fence through cost savings in the project itself. 

"We're excited to see that open up because it's going to definitely create some potential for new growth in that area," he said. 

Then it is on to the next project, extending McDonald Drive east to Southway 31. Odell notes Advantix Development Corp. is pursuing a low-income housing tax credit to create affordable rental housing in that area. The developer is one of three seeking the tax credit and engaged with the city during the process. 

"I like all three developments. I like all three locations," Odell said. "If one of them, or two of them, don't get the award then hopefully we can still entice them to do their projects on a market-rate basis because I think we have a need for that as well." 

Odell says that extension of McDonald Drive will proceed regardless of Advantix being able to secure the tax credit. Memorandums of Understanding, or MOUs, were reached last week with McDonald's and the owner of Super 8 and Quality Inn to move the project forward. 

The city plans to pursue funding for the project through the state's Community Crossings Matching Grant program. 

Roughly 600 feet will be added, the existing McDonald Drive will be repaved, sidewalks are to be added and there's discussion about adding an access to the parking lot of Walmart. 

The street department has the task of clearing a wooded area for the project. A street sweeper was out on the drive Monday, as the city has taken over its maintenance. 

"I would say end of May, early June, we hopefully will have that project complete," Odell said, referencing advantages of improving traffic flow and creating more activity in the area.

A look north of the newly extended Apache Drive.