Redevelopment commission approves purchase of 812 South Main, funds Brownfield testing

The Elkhart Redevelopment Commission voted Jan. 14 to approve a purchase agreement for 812 South Main and to fund environmental due-diligence studies needed before and after closing.

The commission approved the purchase agreement and appropriated $273,100 from the consolidated tax-increment finance (TIF) fund to cover the purchase price and closing costs. As a condition of the acquisition, commissioners also approved contracting with Heron Environmental LLC to perform a Phase I environmental site assessment before closing and a Phase II investigation after Phase I results are received, and appropriated $9,750 from the Brownfield Fund to pay for those studies.

Why it matters: Staff said the environmental testing is standard due diligence for a property acquisition and will inform closing and any remediation or redevelopment steps after purchase.

Adam Fan, assistant director of redevelopment, described the property and the use agreement requests connected to nearby development projects. "In your packet there should be a signed use and access agreement for the property at 515 Hugg Street...they've requested the use of the parcel that the commission owns on Hugg, for parking for their employees during construction, as well as their job trailer and some staging of equipment," Fan said while outlining related agreements in the packet.

The related Phase I/II motion authorized employment of Heron Environmental LLC to complete the studies and appropriated $9,750 from the Brownfield Fund to cover the cost. The commission approved both the purchase agreement and the environmental contract by voice vote; the transcript records those approvals without a roll-call tally.

Ending: Staff said the Phase I will be completed prior to closing, with the Phase II to follow only if the Phase I findings indicate the need for further investigation.