Construction of the $3.5 million Crossroads Community Park in downtown Seymour is nearing completion, but the venue won’t officially open until July, said parks and recreation director Bob Tabeling.
Although city officials had hoped to use the park’s covered stage in June for the first CityJam concert of the summer, the extra time is needed to allow for sodding and to finish up other landscaping, Tabeling said.
One unique feature the city parks board is looking at adding to the new 3-acre park located in the 100 block of East Tipton Street is electric car charging stations. The idea came from Seymour Main Street as a way to get visitors to explore the downtown and to promote more environmentally friendly transportation.
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Because there are no electric car charging stations between here, Louisville and Indianapolis besides Columbus, Seymour Main Street Executive Director Becky Schepman said it’s a wonderful opportunity on which Seymour could capitalize.
“If the car charges two hours, we have the driver as a captive audience downtown, and they can eat and shop,” she said. “Most charging stations in other communities are in downtown areas for that very reason.”
There are 55 parking spots in the new park, of which a couple could be designated for charging stations, Tabeling said.
Parks board President Gary Colglazier said he supports the idea as long as it doesn’t cost the city anything. The park itself was funded by the city redevelopment commission using tax increment financing revenue.
Schepman said she has not yet asked the Seymour Main Street board if it would be willing to buy the charging stations and pay for the electricity or if users would pay for the service.
“I love the idea but have not yet done the homework on cost, as we just wanted to feel everyone out before we started to move forward,” she said.
After Crossroads Community Park opens in July, it will be available for organizations and the public to rent for $100.
Rental applications must be approved by the parks board and the Seymour Board of Public Works and Safety prior to the event. Tabeling said rental applications will need to be submitted 45 days in advance.
The parks board also has agreed to allow alcohol to be served at events in the park by request. It is up to those serving the alcohol to have the proper licensing and to follow all laws, Tabeling said.
Crossroads Community Park will be the only parks facility in Seymour that allows alcohol, he said.