Warsaw Redevelopers OK City, Ivy Tech Foundation Contract
Posted
Jennifer Peryam-jperyam@timesuniononline.com
Warsaw Redevelopment Commission Monday approved the city purchasing property from Ivy Tech Foundation Inc. to be used as a wetland and for potential trails.
The property is at the northwest corner of U.S. 30 and Silveus Crossing, Warsaw.
The board approved the city purchasing 6.67 acres of the property for $300,000, contingent on Ivy Tech Foundation Inc. purchasing 40 acres of the land.City Planner Jeremy Skinner said the property is owned by Polk & Sons. The contract states the transaction must be closed on or before June 30.
Commissioners agreed the city purchasing the land contingent on Ivy Tech Foundation's purchase will benefit the foundation.
"The city purchasing the property is a great thing to do for Ivy Tech and I wish we could do even more," said commissioner Kyle Babcock.
He said he was concerned with assuring there will be an environmental study on the area before Ivy Tech Foundation and the city purchase the property.
Commissioner Neal Carlson said he was not aware the city was considering purchasing the property.
Skinner said the issue has been discussed at previous city council meetings, and the city council budgeted the purchase in July for its 2008 budget.
Carlson suggested Mayor Ernie Wiggins attend the commission's December meeting to provide the commission with more details about the project.
Skinner said he will talk with Wiggins and city attorney Mike Valentine about providing the commission with more details about the property at its December meeting.
Skinner also informed the commission that Baker & Daniels is putting together a timeline for updating the city's plan for its Central Tax Increment Finance District to expand to include Buffalo Street and the Indiana American Water building.
Skinner said the city would need to get approval from the Warsaw Community School Corp. school board to expand the TIF district, and approval to consider entering into a bond issue to build a new city hall.
The commission also approved claims including a $2,000 claim for Ken Herceg & Associates for intersection improvements at the intersection of Ind. 15N and CR 300; a $3,150 contract for Umbaugh and Associates for the northern and central TIF districts; and a $600,000 claim for Warsaw for money obligated to the wastewater department from the northern TIF district for 2007.
Commissioners are Charles Smith, Carlson, Tammy Rockey, Savina Kralis and Babcock.
