[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6200403,"mediaKeyId","3814036-d10571dda93572ca043124afdb3841d9","parentId",3814036,"title","Columbia City approves downtown façade grant contribution","audioSeconds",48,"startMs",451300,"endMs",500000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3814036-d10571dda93572ca043124afdb3841d9&start=451&end=500","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3814036-d10571dda93572ca043124afdb3841d9/thumbnail_451300.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6200403/Columbia-City/Whitley-County/Indiana/Columbia-City-approves-downtown-façade-grant-contribution","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200403-c21637a85e3163588b457e8fed34f4f2/orig.mp4?Expires=1776393466&Signature=RspYxpnWEpxWgD4~5DXv1D-qm3qDRgzvF5tWOcoiOJctFbkN4Potx8YfKp4RRkBngtvOftmT9UrkcoCWXT0VAxctbvetbNDoUQxEp94es424CJweUkdTSMbhM3CRZuFiIbH2BGfKfsym39SGbv5OTnLCg5hcywhq5EGQEuLwM8qQla1bsmE-JofGK3T3QKGiwNKXnOqxHPue0SKmwLMBrXqQcaVifUV2i2-xQjSbvmkaDC80Gez9XVTGNDklWYTh4-S0hoDSPVPinb-wE1r0t3XJ1lGusbiF696m1Wgho7MBQwkfLT0w7xRti-fFU7lU15OapuQXzMo0jUbjJRZbPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Columbia IN","date","2025-06-12T14:30:20Z","article","The council approved a façade grant to help a downtown property complete exterior work, with council members voting in favor during the June meeting.

A council member summarized that the project cost was \"like $8,000\" and said the city's share would likely be about $3,000, with discussion that the city might contribute up to $5,000. \"Once again, it'd be $3,000 would be our part. Maybe we put in $5,\" the council member said during debate.

A motion to approve the grant was made, seconded, and the chair called the question. The meeting record shows the motion carried following a voice vote: \"Hearing none, all in favor, aye\" and later \"Aye. Any opposed? Okay. Carries,\" indicating approval.

No further conditions or amendments were recorded during the meeting. Staff will proceed with administrative follow-up to finalize the grant paperwork.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Columbia City Redevelopment Meeting 06102025","oneSentenceSummary","Council voted to approve a façade grant for a downtown property; total project cost discussed at about $8,000 with the city's share estimated between $3,000 and $5,000.","taxTitle","Columbia City, Whitley County, Indiana","taxId",63763,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6200408,"Soil anomalies found during Smith Brothers Phase 2 borings; results pending",72,132635,205000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3814036-d10571dda93572ca043124afdb3841d9&start=132&end=205","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3814036-d10571dda93572ca043124afdb3841d9/thumbnail_132635.jpg","/articles/6200408/Columbia-City/Whitley-County/Indiana/Soil-anomalies-found-during-Smith-Brothers-Phase-2-borings-results-pending","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200408-ba4b8c905a01acb239a29f37e5c16a03/orig.mp4?Expires=1776393466&Signature=bUVTlOLwmBfVAKWM5th--xi46x~lu8KsOCRUJIUkgScVLUL0ot9NzunKCOfBYXi39erRgPd39mOxxjgCRXs-x28ypjNTUfv~ZYLKx~~pqHsX9GNFz~F5hKje0nfxzw~UA2gSZSydw-pOtX-HX8pdW~~9IbVIS1joajKelYlTs7sSzDghywK4hQB16eiVhb7Z7LA4TjB6iOVDSxOR~P1geMnQyghF043wh-loPN~Abqlg0ylF5r5vQUxjZ6OI7GgWjY33CflQuZ~NRScoMvGgLyhll8P~nba2Li0ggyAYaaxhU1C~J9plqd6q484UtX9sPQ~SIUAcHOYYH6UP4SGqZA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members received an update that geotechnical borings at the Smith Brothers property for phase two encountered unusual soil in several test holes and that additional borings were requested.

A council member reported that while the contractor was on site for the originally quoted holes, staff authorized more borings while the rig was set up because the crews observed \"strange looking soil coming out. A few of the holes,\" the council member said.

Staff indicated they expected a formal report but had not yet received the lab results. \"I have not heard anything back on the results,\" the council member said.

The council member also used the term \"change order\" (reported in the meeting as \"CEO\" then clarified) to describe the additional work the contractor will perform; staff confirmed a change-order request is expected and that results may be available in the next few days.

No formal action was taken at the meeting; staff will report findings to the council when geotechnical results arrive.","Contractor borings at the Smith Brothers property encountered unusual soil at several test holes, prompting additional borings via a change order; laboratory results had not been received at the time of the meeting.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6200413,"Council tables declaratory TIF resolution while INDOT traffic study and map details are pending",64,320150,385000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3814036-d10571dda93572ca043124afdb3841d9&start=320&end=385","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3814036-d10571dda93572ca043124afdb3841d9/thumbnail_320150.jpg","/articles/6200413/Columbia-City/Whitley-County/Indiana/Council-tables-declaratory-TIF-resolution-while-INDOT-traffic-study-and-map-details-are-pending","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200413-3840ca0820384dc9b539923ede3be677/orig.mp4?Expires=1776393466&Signature=ZvDkwo-9rpHVIuH27SR1xAyvnDyyy9oPEAblTsAbbY~7h7CegTdnWz~pZLalWKOLS22oLobF-g1saGc92hoKsb0ir0x9Lu6tSasJ6TF6aJZK5rqnLHvZyl3WDINeEWao9nsdfa64bS35SeOSF36WKtV5BoRGBBIi-6kCayErhlJFea3~l6aEIjvuF~5dOwsTwnEteZEmKGml04ElMhkH1rf47JJcHn1a0lVWPk30fLKl8ODVMr59N5fS44Yrhw6yT5bZf30OYCT8ghyBhjyxP1PP7LccgMFAz~wNjnt43w9PEAMEgistCeGojQhqAJLMNL7J1Z0cHpx5Gq-PlR1CoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members tabled consideration of a declaratory resolution for Tax Increment Financing (TIF) designation after staff said critical mapping and a traffic study with the Indiana Department of Transportation remain incomplete.

A staff member summarized the timing: \"We we met with INDOT. We have to do a traffic study or the developer is doing the traffic study ... That could take 3 to 6 months. Then Indot review and back and forth, we're looking at possibly a year before we can tie in to 01/2009,\" the staff member said, describing the sequencing required to connect the new road infrastructure.

Council members said they need the developer to define the portion of property proposed for commercial versus residential TIF designation before adopting a declaratory resolution. \"In order to do the declaratory resolution, we need to identify what piece of property we are asking to have as a commercial TIF, what we are asking to have as a residential TIF, and we don't know that,\" a council member said during discussion.

Because the developer had not yet drawn the boundary line on the map, council members described the situation as \"hurry up and wait,\" and the meeting record shows the item was tabled pending the developer's map and INDOT review.

No formal timeline was set by the council at the meeting for reconsideration; staff indicated they expect additional information from the developer and INDOT over the coming months.","Columbia City postponed action on a declaratory resolution to designate Tax Increment Financing areas after staff said a developer-driven traffic study with INDOT and unresolved parcel boundary mapping could delay the project up to a year.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6200418,"Columbia City explores downtown DORA and moves to formalize outdoor seating rules",321,498794,820000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3814036-d10571dda93572ca043124afdb3841d9&start=498&end=820","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3814036-d10571dda93572ca043124afdb3841d9/thumbnail_498794.jpg","/articles/6200418/Columbia-City/Whitley-County/Indiana/Columbia-City-explores-downtown-DORA-and-moves-to-formalize-outdoor-seating-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6200418-476428f6f267644bc59b25e4dd67adb4/orig.mp4?Expires=1776393466&Signature=G3qtkOJKin15IALCilHZvZAMZ415wtAhznJedkuwV1F8i1eRvBo~5zFOFeUDlgATTuU45s059NXZXgimTy2HX9t-BIiGsoR9bu6k8XvbOI5cN5wz~lA3BUnQr6ZjlNC2agS9qITCa5B5I0FTVs7EPtlNtoBIWlI0db8b-PKqEFhUJ074wxeLu1otdL2trM0GlgSTkk0fSQ~~FBsWi9-jKPLPvEziGlqn5Z-9IzJ6oqA-usIpII8u9TZzQydfHZsm~zURg8aacaC4R-V1spPXRgV2r9tvzVZTaDHCxHvl2uWaqQsZHb25cBgWOKc~XHz72NmYAhJdI3O95P6g2nzcxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Columbia City leaders discussed plans for a downtown Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, known as a DORA, and an ordinance to standardize outdoor seating during the council meeting in June 2025.

Jackson Longvall, the community engagement specialist, said the mayor\t\t\t\t\t\tteam has begun drafting a DORA proposal and is handling business and licensing concerns. \"We're getting a little pushback from restaurants,\" Longvall said, explaining that some establishments have limited liquor licenses that restrict service beyond their premises.

The discussion focused on state law that authorized DORAs in 2023 and on practical questions the city must answer before a local designation. \"We just have to there's a lot of red tape involved,\" Longvall said, describing ongoing checks about how close designated DORA space could be to churches or schools and how drink service would be controlled.

Mayor (name not specified) told the meeting the DORA proposal is separate from an ordinance the council is considering that would set a consistent process for approving outdoor seating. \"No. It doesn't. Yeah. So we're also looking at an ordinance tonight regarding outdoor seating,\" the mayor said, describing the seating ordinance as a way to create consistent approvals while protecting ADA accessibility and sidewalk walkability.

Council members and staff said they are reviewing how other Indiana cities implemented DORAs and ordinances, citing examples in larger communities as models for mapping the area and writing local regulations. Columbia City Connect, a downtown business organization, was identified as supportive of exploring a DORA.

No formal vote on creating a DORA occurred at the meeting. Council discussion emphasized steps that remain: define the DORA map and proximity limits, confirm licensing and state requirements, and decide what local rules (for example, designated cups or stickers for permitted drinks) will be required.

If the council pursues a DORA, it would need to adopt a local measure consistent with the state law authorizing DORAs and clarify any local requirements beyond state code.","City officials discussed creating a downtown Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area and an ordinance to standardize outdoor seating, citing state law and business concerns; no formal action was taken on the DORA at the meeting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Columbia City approves downtown façade grant contribution

Soil anomalies found during Smith Brothers Phase 2 borings; results pending

Council tables declaratory TIF resolution while INDOT traffic study and map details are pending

Columbia City explores downtown DORA and moves to formalize outdoor seating rules