Syracuse to Choose Contractor for Industrial Park Soon

July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.

By Jordan Fouts-

SYRACUSE –  Businesses could move into the planned industrial park north of town by year’s end, the Syracuse Town Council heard Tuesday.

Ken Jones, with Wightman Petrie, the engineering firm for the project at Ind. 13 and U.S. 6, said he plans to have a recommendation for a contractor at next month’s meeting. He said a groundbreaking this year is feasible, and that the industrial park could be ready for occupancy by fall or spring.

He added he could assist interested businesses in buying property from the town and help them get a construction permit before the surrounding roadwork is even finished.

“Wightman Petrie routinely works with industry in Elkhart County, and there are projects on the books for three of the major employers. They're in growth mode,” he told the council. “That tells me that for Syracuse, it’s time to start marketing the park.”

Earlier in the meeting, the council approved a rezoning request for the former molasses plant at Ind. 13 and East Baltimore Street.

Kosciusko Area Plan Commission Director Dan Richard told the council his commission recommended the change from light industrial to commercial, made at the request of Swiss Perfection, which wants to open a bait shop.

The request goes next to the Board of Zoning Appeals.

The council also OK'd a five-year loan of $90,000 from the Water Depreciation Fund to the Oakwood Infrastructure Improvement Fund; the $18,000 purchase of 10 decorative street lights; and the $11,388 purchase of a new control panel for the town hall heating system.

Members declined a three-year, $9,624 service contract with Havel Bros. for the system, at the recommendation of council member Brian Woody, who objected to the price. Member Jeff Morgan suggested finding a local alternative to the Fort Wayne company.

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SYRACUSE –  Businesses could move into the planned industrial park north of town by year’s end, the Syracuse Town Council heard Tuesday.

Ken Jones, with Wightman Petrie, the engineering firm for the project at Ind. 13 and U.S. 6, said he plans to have a recommendation for a contractor at next month’s meeting. He said a groundbreaking this year is feasible, and that the industrial park could be ready for occupancy by fall or spring.

He added he could assist interested businesses in buying property from the town and help them get a construction permit before the surrounding roadwork is even finished.

“Wightman Petrie routinely works with industry in Elkhart County, and there are projects on the books for three of the major employers. They're in growth mode,” he told the council. “That tells me that for Syracuse, it’s time to start marketing the park.”

Earlier in the meeting, the council approved a rezoning request for the former molasses plant at Ind. 13 and East Baltimore Street.

Kosciusko Area Plan Commission Director Dan Richard told the council his commission recommended the change from light industrial to commercial, made at the request of Swiss Perfection, which wants to open a bait shop.

The request goes next to the Board of Zoning Appeals.

The council also OK'd a five-year loan of $90,000 from the Water Depreciation Fund to the Oakwood Infrastructure Improvement Fund; the $18,000 purchase of 10 decorative street lights; and the $11,388 purchase of a new control panel for the town hall heating system.

Members declined a three-year, $9,624 service contract with Havel Bros. for the system, at the recommendation of council member Brian Woody, who objected to the price. Member Jeff Morgan suggested finding a local alternative to the Fort Wayne company.

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