The City of Lebanon unveiled its new Department of Public Works on Monday where the Street Department vehicles, snow and ice removal vehicles and recycling will be relocated to 324 N. Mount Zion Rd. in Lebanon from its previous location on 1301 Lafayette Ave, which may become the newest park in Lebanon.
The new facility comes alongside the opening of a new street and stormwater facility, and the new facility will ensure that the Street Department vehicles will be stored indoors to limit the wear and tear caused by outside elements throughout the year. The new facility will also allow for a larger salt storage space, which will allow for the city to forego concerns of a limited availability of salt for the winter months. The facility will sport an “improved” recycling experience for residents with a streamlined process for ease of use for residents.
“I am confident that the creation of the Lebanon Department of Public Works will enable the City to better serve its residents,” Mayor Matt Gentry said. “As our City continues to grow, having the street and stormwater departments under one roof will provide continuity, allowing for quicker response, while allowing the (Department of Public Works) to tackle a wider range of issues.”
The city hired Jason Lawson as the Public Works Director as the project nears completion due to Lawson’s extensive career with infrastructure management and comprehensive planning, spanning over a decade of experience. Lawson served as the Public Works Director and Town Manager of the Town of Whitestown.
“Lebanon is growing at an exciting rate, and I am very happy to be part of that growth,” Lawson said. “I look forward to utilizing my experience to help maximize the efficiency of how Lebanon’s infrastructure is maintained. I feel like I have hit the ground running, and I’m glad to be part of the team.”
Street Superintendent David Newell will focus on street maintenance while Lawson oversees the infrastructure needs within the city. The previous Street Department location at 1301 Lafayette Ave. will be cleared as the department prepares to move to the new location on Mount Zion Road. The city has not cemented a decision for the use of the previous location on Lafayette Avenue, but the more than two acres of land is expected to possibly be transformed into a new City park.