Hey Locals,

Happy Labor Day Week! We're celebrating with a shorter issue, still full of interesting things to do, like tips for attending the annual Korea Festival – back and bigger than ever this year.

We also discuss updates coming to the Allen County Public Library's Main Branch and critical gaps in the state's funding for roads and bridges.

Don't forget: In September, The Local is partnering with Charlie’s Place to bring all paid subscribers a free order of “Fries, but Loaded” with beer cheese, pico de gallo and sour cream. Did you know we give our paid members a freebie every month at a local business to cover the cost of membership? See what a paid membership is all about with this 30-day trial, and you can get those fries!

Now, let's get started!

NOTE: Links to Journal Gazette articles are marked(*) and may be behind a paywall.

• City Council unanimously approved a request for $8 million in upgrades to the Allen County Public Library's Main Branch Downtown, including a new solar roof and cooling system. The project is expected to be complete by the end of the year, funded by $8 million from the library's general fund capital reserves. However, the library had to get special approval from City Council (due to recently changed state laws*) because the city makes up most of the assessed valued in its service area. Councilman Russ Jehl, R-2nd, said the state's process doesn’t make sense because City Council doesn't see Allen County's budget reports, so it's "impossible for the state to ask us to actually exercise an even judgment and oversight.” Even so, he supported the measure, and "wanted to memorialize the moment as an example of City Council helping out the county in hopes the favor would be returned," The JG* reports. From 2022-2023, the library has seen a 25% increase in visitors. Its current roof was installed in 2007 and has started to crack and blister.
• Indiana's roads and bridges are short about $2.4 billion annually over the next 10 years needed to maintain and bring current infrastructure up to "good" condition. Last week, the Local Technical Assistance Program (a partnership with state government and Purdue University) presented their findings to a state task force on Funding Indiana’s Roads for a Stronger, Safer Tomorrow. The report found that only about 28% of state roads are in “good” condition, and much of the current road funding comes from gas taxes, expected to fall in the future with electric/hybrid vehicles and fuel efficiency. In 2017, Indiana legislature passed a plan to boost spending on local roads by $342 million annually, but funding hasn’t kept pace with inflation. The JG* published a story by the Indiana Capital Chronicle that breaks down the numbers and tax alternatives to fill the gap. We'd like to know more about how alternative modes of transportation might help reduce reliance and stress on roads in the first place....

Plus: A nonpartisan voter forum, Indiana's worker friendliness and more. We cover it all in our premium newsletter.

• Celebrate: Korean culture, music and food at Korea Festival on Sept. 7, noon-5:30 p.m., moving to the Rhinehart Music Center at Purdue Fort Wayne this year. One of our subscribers, Phong Dang, is Director of the Kpop Dance Showcase from 4-5:30 p.m. designed to introduce the audience to Korean Pop music. He says: "This showcase puts the spotlight on many talented self-taught dancers from around town. Some are even traveling from Indianapolis just to shine at the festival. It'll be a great time, I promise!"
• Dine: at BRU Burger Bar, opening today in the former Gnometown Brewing spot on The Landing. BRU Burger operates 15 locations and specializes in elevated burgers, fries, shakes, salads, and apps, as well as local beers and spirits. It's owned by Cunningham Restaurant Group, which also owns Marquee on The Landing. Hours are 11 a.m.-9 p.m. daily, and Happy Hours is Monday-Thursday, 3-5:30 p.m., with half-priced apps, $3 off drafts, mixed drinks and wine by the glass.
• Walk: the 42nd West Central Home & Garden Tour and ArtsFest on Sept. 7-8, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The home tour this year features 10 historic homes from the 19th and 20th centuries and is ticketed. ArtsFest is free, offering 30+ regional arts and crafts exhibitors and live music, as well as a chance to drop into the home studios of seven neighborhood artists.

What else? We share more things to do in our premium newsletter.

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Have a great week, Locals!

-Your Editor, Kara Hackett