City honors firemen, and approves a revitalization plan.
Four Vincennes City Firefighters were honored Monday for their efforts in rescuing three people from a burning home back in March.
Fire Chief Sonny Pinkstaff says the fire at 906 North 5th Street was already well involved when firefighters arrived on the scene. Pinkstaff says one of the occupants of the home, Sashsa Bowman asked to be present when the firefighters were honored.
Two other occupants were rescued from a second story apartment. Pinkstaff says there was some added risk because of a power line that ran in front of the window that had to be pulled out of the way before the tenants could be rescued.
Captain Richard Ashby, Captain Brett Bobe and firemen Cody Boge and Brant Yochum received the fire department’s meritorious llife saving award during Monday’s Vincennes Board of Works Meeting.
Pinsktaff also acknowledged Vincennes City Police Officers Shane Selby, Jonathon O’Brien and Stacy Reese. Selby was the first to arrive on the scene and ran outside the building attempting to alert tenants of the fire. O’Brien and Reese assisted firefigthers pulling hose lines. Pinkstaff says he plans on writing a letter of accommodation on befalf of the police officers to the city’s Police Merit Commission.
The Vincennes City Council approved a downtown revitalization plan which includes restoration to store fronts along Main Street.
During a public hearing prior to the council meeting, Brian O’Neill with Stragtegic Development Group says Vincennes has a lot of assests going for it. He said areas where the city needs to work on are improving housing opportunities adjacent to downtown and use of green space like the Gimbel Corner.
Funding for the study was partially provided by a federal block grant from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs. Ellen Harper, Executive Director with INVIN says approval of the revitalization plan is the first step in obtaining grants to assist with development of Downtown Vincennes. Later this fall, the city plans to apply for a 500-thousand state grant to help improve the fronts of businesses along Main Street. Merchants would be responsible for shouldering 20-percent of the cost of the renovations.