Kosciusko County Redevelopment Commission tabled making a decision on selecting a consulting firm for a development project along the CR 1300N corridor.
The commission heard from two consulting firms, USI Consultants Inc. and Abonmarche, at a special meeting on Thursday.
These firms both placed bids through the Kosciusko Economic Development Corporation to create strategic plans for the CR 1300N corridor, located in Milford. Prior to the meeting, there was discussion about the land involved in the potential strategic plan. This 1,000 acres of land is privately owned and would need to be acquired by Kosciusko County before any development could take place.
Each of the firms were given 15-minute time frames to present their proposals.
USI Consultants Inc. structured their proposal with a focus on their connections to Kosciusko County, with the president of the company, Phil Beer, growing up in the Milford area. Planning and Landscape Architect Manager for USI Cory Daly spoke about how each rural area brings its own benefits and they would seek to preserve the project area while also allowing room for growth. USI said its planning process would take approximately nine months.
Abonmarche's approach seeks to engage the community in conversation to guide the planning, using the transportation routes already available.
"You are the experts in your own community and we would like to come alongside your pre-existing plan and provide next steps," said Senior Urban Planner for Abonmarche Crystal Welsh.
Welsh emphasized how the company sees the project as a long-term commitment and how it hopes to evaluate the growth potential in the area and plan from there.
Both firms prioritize having conversations with members of the community in order to engage residents before any additions are made.
Following the presentations made by both firms, the commissioners asked to hear from Kosciusko County Highway Department Superintendent Steve Moriarty and Area Plan Commission Director Matt Sandy.
Moriarty expressed how he hoped the CR 1300N overpass would frame the project and could expand on the road infrastructure available.
Sandy mentioned how he appreciated Abonmarche stating how they wanted to add on to the pre-existing comprehensive plan already in place, and not throw it out; however, he said there were pros and cons to both firms.
Commission President Joni Truex stated how important first impressions are, but did not want to make a decision on which firm to choose yet.
That led to the tabling of the decision until the commission's next meeting Sept. 14.