Warsaw Council Expands Central Development Area

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

By Jennifer [email protected]

Warsaw City Council during Monday night's meeting approved expanding the Warsaw Central Development Area.

Warsaw Redevelopment Commission approved sending a favorable recommendation to the city council for the expansion at its May 5 meeting.[[In-content Ad]]The area was created in the 1990s to broaden economic opportunities while creating a community focal point, according to planning information.

The original plan focused on revitalizing the downtown commercial district by improving streets, infrastructure and aesthetics within the commercial district.

The original development area encompasses the blocks between the north-south Conrail tracks, Center Street, Canal Street and the alley between Indiana and Buffalo streets.

The expansion of the development area includes the border of Center Lake and Buffalo Street then south along Buffalo Street to the alley south of Fort Wayne street then heading back north along the existing development area's boundary returning back to Center Lake.

The acreage of the expansion is approximately five acres.

Expanding the Central Redevelopment District will allow the city to focus on two rehabilitation projects, according to City Planner Jeremy Skinner.

The first project includes improving the infrastructure and the aesthetics along Buffalo Street.

The project will include improving and replacing any infrastructure along Buffalo Street running from the alley immediately north of Main Street to Center Lake.

Along with the infrastructure improvements, Warsaw will restore the original boulevard that connected the downtown district to Center Lake.

The improvements will include replacing or improving any storm, sanitary and water mains that run throughout the project area.

In addition to those water and sewer improvements, the project also will include rehabilitating the street, sidewalks and curbs within the project area.

The second project will be to rehabilitate existing commercial property in order to accommodate the construction of a new city hall.

As a result of the city's continued growth, the city has been researching potential options for a new city hall.

The issue was addressed by the 2002 Hyett Palma study, which recommended addressing the city's need for a new city hall, Skinner said.

The study was conducted at the request of the city to start, refocus and energize downtown enhancement efforts.

The proposed municipal building would house the majority of the city's offices and be adjacent to Center Lake Park.

The proposed building would consist of two stories and include offices for the clerks, mayor, human resources and building and planning department and house city council chamber and public hearing assembly rooms.

"The completion of these projects will allow for the continual growth of the downtown redevelopment district while strengthening the local economy, providing future economic opportunities and improving the downtown commercial district," Skinner said.

Warsaw City Council during Monday night's meeting approved expanding the Warsaw Central Development Area.

Warsaw Redevelopment Commission approved sending a favorable recommendation to the city council for the expansion at its May 5 meeting.[[In-content Ad]]The area was created in the 1990s to broaden economic opportunities while creating a community focal point, according to planning information.

The original plan focused on revitalizing the downtown commercial district by improving streets, infrastructure and aesthetics within the commercial district.

The original development area encompasses the blocks between the north-south Conrail tracks, Center Street, Canal Street and the alley between Indiana and Buffalo streets.

The expansion of the development area includes the border of Center Lake and Buffalo Street then south along Buffalo Street to the alley south of Fort Wayne street then heading back north along the existing development area's boundary returning back to Center Lake.

The acreage of the expansion is approximately five acres.

Expanding the Central Redevelopment District will allow the city to focus on two rehabilitation projects, according to City Planner Jeremy Skinner.

The first project includes improving the infrastructure and the aesthetics along Buffalo Street.

The project will include improving and replacing any infrastructure along Buffalo Street running from the alley immediately north of Main Street to Center Lake.

Along with the infrastructure improvements, Warsaw will restore the original boulevard that connected the downtown district to Center Lake.

The improvements will include replacing or improving any storm, sanitary and water mains that run throughout the project area.

In addition to those water and sewer improvements, the project also will include rehabilitating the street, sidewalks and curbs within the project area.

The second project will be to rehabilitate existing commercial property in order to accommodate the construction of a new city hall.

As a result of the city's continued growth, the city has been researching potential options for a new city hall.

The issue was addressed by the 2002 Hyett Palma study, which recommended addressing the city's need for a new city hall, Skinner said.

The study was conducted at the request of the city to start, refocus and energize downtown enhancement efforts.

The proposed municipal building would house the majority of the city's offices and be adjacent to Center Lake Park.

The proposed building would consist of two stories and include offices for the clerks, mayor, human resources and building and planning department and house city council chamber and public hearing assembly rooms.

"The completion of these projects will allow for the continual growth of the downtown redevelopment district while strengthening the local economy, providing future economic opportunities and improving the downtown commercial district," Skinner said.
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