Commissioners vacate Milroy alley to aid Rush County revitalization project

After a public hearing, the Rush County commissioners voted to vacate an alley at 407 South Pleasant in Milroy to allow a property-acquisition and revitalization project to proceed.

Tara Hagen, executive director of SICPDC, told the board the alley bisected a property being acquired for the Rush County revitalization program and asked that it be closed so the parcel could be consolidated for redevelopment. The commissioners confirmed required notifications had been mailed to adjoining property owners and, after one owner did not return a postcard, moved to close the alley by ordinance (listed in the meeting as Ordinance 2026-2). The motion carried on a voice vote.

Hagen provided an update on the revitalization program: six properties already have closed in the program, six properties have been demolished and additional properties are in a pipeline, including a parcel undergoing quiet-title work. Commissioners asked for a brief status on demolitions and next steps and thanked the SICPDC team for their work.

The ordinance vacating the alley was approved at the meeting. County staff were directed to record the ordinance and update property records so the revitalization work can continue.