An engineering firm will see what it takes to relieve drainage problems on Shelbyville's southwest side.

The city's Board of Works has approved hiring Commonwealth Engineers Inc. of Indianapolis to evaluate storm water issues in the area of Shelbyville between Evans Street and McKay Road.

City Engineer Matt House presented the proposal at the board's meeting Tuesday morning.

He said recommendations from a previous study were expensive, so the city wanted to look at the situation again to find more cost-effective solutions.

Mayor Tom DeBaun summarized the goal and Board of Works member David Finkel asked House about funding.

“So essentially what you're going to do from this proposal is a pretty comprehensive study of what's happening down there, discussing some options based upon the existing infrastructure, and then some recommendations,” DeBaun said, and House replied, yes.

“Will this help us in our grant application for funding based on these projects?” Finkel asked.

“Yes, the big goal is to get either the OCRA or rural grant for soil and water improvements. We tried to do that this year but we didn't have a perfect plan,” House said.

OCRA is the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs which works to develop small cities and towns throughout the state.

The southwest side neighborhood in question sits in a valley between South Miller Street to the west and State Road 9 to the east. The area has long been plagued by drainage issues.

The $30,000 Commonwealth Engineering study will examine the Fortune Ditch, which runs underground near the bottom of the hill along South Miller Street, and crosses McKay Road close to a lift station.

It will also look at the Van Pelt Ditch which crosses McKay Road near the end of Meridian Street (pictured).

In other matters, the Board of Works approved a $561,352 contract with Bowen Engineering to improve the sewage infrastructure at the Blue River Memorial Park, and do some electrical upgrades at the park, and an oil and water separator for a maintenance building.

And the board will look into putting in sidewalks along a portion of Hale Road near the intersection of South Miller Avenue, by the Westar mobile home park.