The Scott County Commissioners on Oct. 8 voted to transfer a county‑owned parcel near the Austin Triad site to the Scott County Redevelopment Commission so the redevelopment board could market and manage the property for industrial use.

Commissioners and the redevelopment director discussed TriHawk (Austin TriHawk) as a longtime local business that has previously expressed interest in adjacent acreage. Commissioners said they want to keep TriHawk involved and asked staff to contact TriHawk as a courtesy before the redevelopment commission finalizes development steps. Several commissioners said they wanted one more week to ask TriHawk to provide a statement of interest before the deed signature is recorded; the motion to authorize signature outside the meeting nevertheless passed.

The legal staff present said no signed interlocal or restrictive covenant had been found in county records promising a right of first refusal to TriHawk. Commissioner and redevelopment members emphasized the county’s desire to retain TriHawk as a partner while using the redevelopment commission’s authorities — including bonding and reinvestment of proceeds — to market and assemble an industrial park.

Commissioners and redevelopment members said proceeds from any sale would be reinvested into the redevelopment program; they discussed tax increment financing (TIF) and the need for infrastructure work (survey, geotechnical, wetlands delineation) before attracting a major industrial user. Several commissioners asked staff to contact TriHawk and invite company representatives to the next meeting to state their interest.

Ending: The board authorized signatures to transfer the property to the redevelopment commission; staff were directed to reach out to TriHawk and report back at the following meeting.