Commissioners approve purchase of property on Douglas Road for future road and rail crossing work

The St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners voted April 22 to approve Resolution R-9-C-2025 to purchase property at 14266 Douglas Road for a planned road improvement and railroad crossing project.

Terry O'Brien, economic development planner, told commissioners the parcel is for a long-term project to widen Douglas Road where it narrows at the Mishawaka city limits and to improve a nearby railroad crossing. "This property is being asked to purchase today because the property went up for sale. So we have a willing seller," O'Brien said, and added the county expects no relocation costs because the seller is willing. O'Brien said the redevelopment commission approved funding for the acquisition on April 15.

Commissioners voted to approve Resolution R-9-C-2025. The vote was recorded as Commissioner Morton — aye; Commissioner Hazen — aye; Commissioner Maxeyer — aye.

O'Brien described the long-term intent for the corridor: widening the two-lane segment that begins at the Mishawaka city limits, and either improving the at-grade railroad crossing or building an overpass; the road improvement project would extend to Capitol Avenue. No purchase price was announced at the meeting. The county said the acquired building will be demolished when the property is needed for construction.

The action authorizes acquisition; engineering, right-of-way and construction planning remain separate future steps. No construction schedule, cost estimate for the crossing improvement, or funding source for demolition was provided at the meeting.