Redevelopment Commission Remembers Former Member

The late Bob Steele was remembered with a few moments of silence by the Warsaw Redevelopment Commission Monday, a board Steele served until his death in December.

A swearing-in ceremony conducted by Warsaw Mayor Ernie Wiggins included new member John Elliott, who replaces Steele, as well as Neal Carlson, Tammy Rockey, Charles Smith and Jerome Kralis. The ceremony served to confirm Elliott as a member because his appointment hasn't been officially confirmed by the city council.

City planner Jeff Noffsinger reported on the Winona Interurban Redevelopment Area, a tax increment financing district that includes the former Gatke manufacturing area south of Durbin Street. Miscellaneous structures are down and four buildings remain, Noffsinger said. Underground tanks will be removed this week, which will be followed by improvements to McKinley Street.

The new road will be extended from Durbin Street, follow a path north of the old interurban station and exit on Winona Avenue, west of Argonne Road.

Charlie Smith was elected president and Tammy Rockey secretary for 2003.

The city has two other TIF districts - the Warsaw Central Redevelopment Area and the Warsaw Northern Economic Development Area. Because of tax restructuring by the state, a replacement levy could be assessed against all city taxpayers.

In the central district, citizens could see fees of up to $30,000, and in the northern area, the tax could generate up to $142,000, if revenues come in lower than expected.

The city has been drawing 70 percent of the estimated TIF increment to pay off the bonds.

The northern district is expected to generate $1 million in revenues next year, leaving about $500,000 as a balance after Sofamor Danek is paid $210,000 and $300,00 is paid toward bonds for the second wastewater treatment plant.