Council approves tax-abatement package for Crow Holdings site after heated public hearing

Council President Bella and the Maryville Town Council voted to approve Resolution 25-01 on Jan. 14, confirming the designation of roughly 67 acres at 70 Third Avenue and along Mississippi Street near I‑65 as an economic revitalization area and approving a tax-abatement package for Crow Holdings’ proposed industrial development.

The resolution matters because the abatement will reduce taxable assessed value for newly built buildings for a period specified in local practice, and because the property sits inside redevelopment/TIF boundaries that affect how incremental revenues will be allocated.

Developer Matt Cruz of Crow Holdings described the proposal to the council as three buildings — one about 400,000 square feet and two about 250,000 square feet — saying the owner normally builds “on spec” and that tenants often require tax incentives to locate in northwest Indiana. Cruz told the council the parcels currently generate about $553 a year in property taxes and estimated that, once buildings are completed, tenants would pay roughly $200,000 in real estate taxes in the tax year anticipated after construction and about $3.5 million in the first 15 years; he said total tax bills over the life of the project could approximate $11.1 million. Cruz also described the project labor arrangements and said the town would receive a 15 percent administration fee from the abatement savings while tenants would pay the tax bills.

Randy Palmateer, business manager for the Northwestern Indiana Building and Construction Trades Council, urged approval and said many union construction workers who will build the project live in Maryville: "I stand up in support of resolution 25 0 1, and I hope the council does the right thing on this." Council members and staff noted Crow Holdings has previously donated to local public safety equipment and that the developer has verbally committed to additional community contributions.

Opponents and several residents urged greater caution. Pablo Pollan and other speakers cited academic studies and local analyses arguing that tax abatements often fail to generate net growth for municipalities and can redirect revenue away from schools and other taxing units when combined with TIF designations. Pollan pointed to the SB‑1 “statement of benefits” filed with the application and said the form lists zero current jobs and does not specify the number of new jobs or average wages. Researcher Philip Schneider summarized studies concluding abatements are frequently ineffective and recommended lower abatements or termination clauses that allow the town to rescind benefits if promised outcomes are not delivered.

Other public commenters asked Crow Holdings to preserve elements of the town’s historic character near the site and to make tangible contributions to local quality‑of‑life amenities. Councilman Pettit reminded the audience that Crow Holdings previously contributed $350,000 for public safety radios and said the company has discussed providing additional equipment to the town.

After the public hearing, Councilman Pettit moved to approve Resolution 25‑01; the motion was seconded by Councilwoman Uzlak. The roll call recorded Vice President Neal, Councilwoman Haynes Edwards, Councilwoman Chandler Felton, Councilwoman Newslak, Councilman Pettit, Councilwoman Hardaway and Council President Bella voting in favor. The council recorded the motion as carried and the resolution passed.

The council and staff noted the approved council action is one step in a multi‑stage process: the resolution will return to the Redevelopment Commission (RDC) for further hearings and final actions, and the RDC will hold public hearings on January 28 for the related allocation‑area matters. Several council members and the town manager said they will schedule public workshops this spring to explain how Indiana abatements and TIFs work and to answer residents’ questions.

Votes at a glance: Motion to approve Resolution 25‑01 (designation of economic revitalization area and deduction from assessed value for new improvements). Mover: Councilman Pettit. Second: Councilwoman Uzlak. Outcome: approved (roll call recorded as all present voting in favor).