Discussion continued on using the Gatke Property for a small business incubator during Monday's Warsaw Redevelopment Commission meeting.
The commission has discussed using the property at 2321 E. Winona Avenue as a small business incubator since September.Commission member Kyle Babcock suggested during the March 5 meeting that money be allocated to provide a feasibility study of the property to see if it could be used for a small business incubator.
Commission member Charlie Smith suggested at the March meeting City Planner Jeremy Skinner discuss with Mayor Ernie Wiggins timing and money available for a feasibility study, advertising the property through the Chamber of Commerce, and looking into signage for the property.
Skinner presented a letter to commission members during the meeting from Indiana Department of Environmental Management to Pam Kennedy, executive director of Housing Opportunities of Warsaw.
The letter was in response to a request from the city of Warsaw in determining the existing environmental impacts and potential liability of the property.
The letter states the city is exempted from liability for groundwater contamination and a restriction prohibiting the use of groundwater on the property also was stated. The letter said prohibiting the use of the property for residential purposes must be placed with the property deed.
Wiggins said he supports the idea of a business incubator in Warsaw.
"I agree there is a need in the county for a business incubator, but I am not sure the Gatke property is the right site unless we have grant money for the property," Wiggins said.
Wiggins said the city council would need to approve appropriating money for the project and the 2007 budget has not yet been approved.
He suggested quotes be sought for using the property as a small business incubator.
Skinner said he will talk to IDEM about how the property can be used. He will work with the Warsaw-Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce for ways to advertise the property on its Web site.
Skinner said many incubators are funded through university corporations, and suggested looking into a public or private entity to fund the incubator.
Babcock said he was pleased the commission has looked into considering the property for a small business incubator.
"I am glad we have continued to discuss the option of a business incubator in Warsaw and continue to go through the correct channels to research the idea," Babcock said.
