Warsaw Redevelopers Hear Gatke Property Use Proposal
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jennifer [email protected]
Aaron Scantlen, owner of Mohawk Designs, Nashville, made his proposal during Monday's Warsaw Redevelopment Commission meeting at city hall.
The business that creates Web sites, graphic design and signs wants to expand and have an office in Warsaw, Scantlen said.
Scantlen, formerly of Warsaw, wants to move back to the area from Nashville.
He said he has been working with Robinson Construction, Warsaw, for the past six months on developing preliminary site and architectural plans for the vacant building.
The Gatke Property is at the corner of McKinley and Durbin streets, and has been vacant since the 1980s, according to City Planner Jeremy Skinner.
The commission has discussed for some time the possibility of using the property as a business incubator where businesses could rent out the facility for office spaces.
Scantlen suggested his business, Mohawk Designs, be located in the facility and his business could lease out office space to other businesses.
He proposed the vacant building could be constructed into a banquet facility that could accommodate proms, weddings and concerts. He also is proposing there be a coffeehouse and art gallery in the facility.
Scantlen said he has discussed his idea with Winona Lake Managing Director Brent Wilcoxson and Dane Miller.
He said the approximate cost of the project would be $8 million and would be done in phases.
The building was formerly Gatke Manufacturing, a business where brake pads and products that used asbestos were made, Skinner said.
Commissioner Savina Kralis said she was concerned with previous environmental problems at the site. Skinner said the property was cleared of asbestos and underground storage tanks were removed.
Skinner said Indiana Department of Environmental Management prohibited the property for residential use, but manufacturing and business uses are allowed.
There are no-trespassing signs around the building currently because the building is unsafe, Skinner said.
"The building is run-down and in bad shape and needs a lot of work," Skinner said.
The steel structure is intact, but the structure's roof is deteriorating, windows are broken and sections of the interior walls are missing.
Commission President Charles Smith said he supports the idea of turning the building into a banquet facility.
"I think our consensus as a commission is that we would like to see something like this in our community if funds can be secured," Smith said.
"Although we have not granted the option proposed, we need to look at the cost of the project."
The commission approved Scantlen working with Skinner and city attorney Mike Valentine to pursue options for the property.
Also during the meeting, Mayor Ernie Wiggins swore in new members Richard Snodgrass, replacing Neal Carlson, and Trish Brown, replacing Kyle Babcock.
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Aaron Scantlen, owner of Mohawk Designs, Nashville, made his proposal during Monday's Warsaw Redevelopment Commission meeting at city hall.
The business that creates Web sites, graphic design and signs wants to expand and have an office in Warsaw, Scantlen said.
Scantlen, formerly of Warsaw, wants to move back to the area from Nashville.
He said he has been working with Robinson Construction, Warsaw, for the past six months on developing preliminary site and architectural plans for the vacant building.
The Gatke Property is at the corner of McKinley and Durbin streets, and has been vacant since the 1980s, according to City Planner Jeremy Skinner.
The commission has discussed for some time the possibility of using the property as a business incubator where businesses could rent out the facility for office spaces.
Scantlen suggested his business, Mohawk Designs, be located in the facility and his business could lease out office space to other businesses.
He proposed the vacant building could be constructed into a banquet facility that could accommodate proms, weddings and concerts. He also is proposing there be a coffeehouse and art gallery in the facility.
Scantlen said he has discussed his idea with Winona Lake Managing Director Brent Wilcoxson and Dane Miller.
He said the approximate cost of the project would be $8 million and would be done in phases.
The building was formerly Gatke Manufacturing, a business where brake pads and products that used asbestos were made, Skinner said.
Commissioner Savina Kralis said she was concerned with previous environmental problems at the site. Skinner said the property was cleared of asbestos and underground storage tanks were removed.
Skinner said Indiana Department of Environmental Management prohibited the property for residential use, but manufacturing and business uses are allowed.
There are no-trespassing signs around the building currently because the building is unsafe, Skinner said.
"The building is run-down and in bad shape and needs a lot of work," Skinner said.
The steel structure is intact, but the structure's roof is deteriorating, windows are broken and sections of the interior walls are missing.
Commission President Charles Smith said he supports the idea of turning the building into a banquet facility.
"I think our consensus as a commission is that we would like to see something like this in our community if funds can be secured," Smith said.
"Although we have not granted the option proposed, we need to look at the cost of the project."
The commission approved Scantlen working with Skinner and city attorney Mike Valentine to pursue options for the property.
Also during the meeting, Mayor Ernie Wiggins swore in new members Richard Snodgrass, replacing Neal Carlson, and Trish Brown, replacing Kyle Babcock.
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