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Business, homes along SR 37 fighting for survival

GREENWOOD, Ind. (WISH) — Concern is building in Johnson County over what will come of homes and businesses along State Road 37.

“You see all these new houses, people have spent the money and now they might tell you you have to leave,” said Amy Withem, who lives near the road.

SR 37 is INDOT’s choice for the I69 extension.

Home and business owners say they were blindsided by Tuesday’s announcement. And say they’re now desperately trying to save their livelihoods.

“This particular hospital fit the needs of the neighborhood and the community wonderful,” said John Piper, already talking in the past tense about Angel Animal Hospital, the business he owns with his wife.

The hospital is just a few feet from SR 37.

“It’s going to take my building down,” said Piper.

Piper has owned the hospital for five years. He says it was the perfect location — until Tuesday.

INDOT officials say the preferred route will force 96 business and 279 homes to move or close.

“I built this house about a year ago, so this is pretty devastating news,” said Cinda Reardon, who also lives nearby.

Reardon lives on Haywood Road in Greenwood which runs adjacent to SR 37. Residents say they’re counting down the days in their new neighborhood.

“We’ve got young kids, so we want to be able to stay in the school district we like, Center Grove,” said Withem.

State officials say when the road is completed it will increase the number of jobs and wages. They also say travel times and crashes will be decreased.

“I mean, I feel like it’s going to be a good thing in the long run to get to Bloomington. It’ll be a fast way, but you don’t want to leave people, kick them out of their house in order to do it,” said Withem.

But but some in the neighborhood say they’re willing to go.

“If it helps people out in this area get jobs and more revenue, I would be more than happy to do what I have to do,” said Tim Delph.

But back at Angel Animal Hospital, Piper says the devil is in the details.

“There won’t be a tax base for the fire department, for the police department, for the schools. How do we win? I mean, this is just madness,” said Piper.

INDOT says the federal government will make the final decision on the route. An impact study is scheduled to be completed in 2018.