WINONA LAKE - The property at 800 N. Park Ave., Winona Lake, has been condemned and secured through eminent domain procedures by the town's redevelopment commission.

Owned by Ralph and Joellen Fitch, Larwill, the property has been used as an apartment building. Peoples Federal Savings Bank holds the mortgage.

Standing on the northeast corner of an area commonly known as Winona Village, at the corner of Park Avenue and Canal Street, the two-story dwelling is surrounded by specialty shops to the south and west, a parking lot to the north and Hillside Park across the street to the east.

The Fitch property was declared a blighted area Oct. 4, 2000, by a redevelopment commission resolution. The Fitches have owned the property since 1992.

Although a hearing on the matter was set for April 15 and rescheduled for April 25, a stipulated order of condemnation was filed April 11 following a conference between the town's legal representatives, Stephen Snyder and Jan Carroll, and the Fitch's attorney, Jonathan Tison.

The defendants are entitled to damages resulting from the condemnation.

Three appraisers - William Warren, Gary Salyer and Daniel Widaman - have been appointed appraise the property. They are to report to Kosciusko Superior Court II on May 2 to receive instructions regarding their duties.

The Winona Lake Redevelopment Commission, once it acquires the property, may sell, hold or use the property in a way the members consider best.

The area is zoned as a planned unit development, combining commercial and residential usages.

Under Ind. Code 36-7-14-12.2 powers of eminent domain may be exercised by established redevelopment commissions. The local commission has found the property is in an area in which normal development and occupancy are undesirable or impossible because of lack of development, cessation of growth, deterioration of improvements, age, obsolescence, substandard buildings and other factors that impair values or prevent normal use or development of property. [[In-content Ad]]