Elkhart City Redevelopment Commission approves TIF-area amendments, contracts and property offers

Elkhart City Redevelopment Commission on Jan. 28, 2025 approved amendments to the downtown urban renewal and Casopolis Street Corridor plans, authorized the creation of two new tax allocation (TIF) areas, and approved a slate of contracts and property agreements intended to support ongoing downtown and South Main Street redevelopment projects.

The actions set the legal and funding groundwork for projects in the River District and South Main Street corridor and included formal approvals to create Tax Allocation Area No. 7 (225 East Jackson) and Tax Allocation Area No. 8 (parcels on South Main/Freight Street), authorization to pursue offers on multiple parcels along the east side of Main Street, and contracts or use agreements for parking, professional services and reporting. Mike Huber, development service director for the city of Elkhart, told the commission the actions respond to negotiations with developers and the need to amend current plans so proposed projects can be supported by existing and new TIF tools. “As you are all aware, we are continuing to negotiate on a development project, redevelopment project, for Zone 2 of the River District,” Huber said.

Why it matters: the amendments and new allocation areas allow the city to pledge or direct TIF-generated revenues from specific redevelopment parcels to support developer financing, parking and infrastructure tied to private redevelopment. The commission also approved several operational contracts and agreements intended to speed project delivery, including an on-call engineering services contract, an engagement letter for TIF reporting and projections, and short-term use/access agreements for city-owned parking parcels.

Major decisions and context

- TIF plan amendments: The commission voted to approve a 2025 amendment to the…