Vigo County councilors voice caution over joining Terre Haute riverfront master plan

At an April 1 meeting, Vigo County councilors discussed a proposed resolution that would commit the county to work in partnership with the City of Terre Haute and other stakeholders to implement the Riverfront Development Master Plan.

Mike, an elected official who introduced the item, told councilors he had copies of the proposed resolution and said, “Lori Danielson's put a lot of work into it,” but warned he was “struggling” with the county’s role and potential long-term costs. He said the plan covers an area “from like Hallman to Cherry, Fourth Street to the river,” and noted the county already has “a pretty big footprint in that” district.

The discussion centered on whether the county should formally adopt language that, according to the draft resolution, would “commit to working in partnership with the City Of Terre Haute, Riverscape, private sector stakeholders, community organizations, and residents to implement the strategies and recommendations outlined in the master plan.” Mike said the county has already invested in courthouse and juvenile center repairs, parking lot maintenance, a new cul-de-sac on the north side of the courthouse, and other projects he described as “millions of dollars” of county spending in the district.

Council Member Kenneth asked who drafted the plan; the meeting record identifies Lori Danielson as the person “in charge of doing the study,” which Mike and other speakers referenced. Kenneth and others said the draft resolution does not define what adopting the plan would require of the county. “It doesn't define what that is,” Kenneth said, adding, “I don't think anybody could agree to something if we don't understand it.”

Council Member Randy raised a procedural concern, noting the item was not advertised as a resolution for the council and asked whether it could be considered next Tuesday. Mike said he received an email indicating the resolution was scheduled for the April 8 meeting, but Randy and another councilor said legal counsel was not present to confirm whether the council could properly act on the item without prior advertisement.

Several councilors also noted external funding the city has secured for the master plan study, including Riverscape contributions and an Army Corps participation award. Mike said the city and other partners have spent about “half a million dollars” on the study, and that the county currently provides an annual Riverscape contribution of $50,000.

No formal vote on the draft resolution was recorded during the April 1 session. Councilors concluded the issue would return for further information; Randy cautioned against committing the county without additional facts and legal guidance.

Looking ahead, council members asked staff to provide clearer language about what adoption would obligate the county, any maintenance or annual costs associated with proposed amenities, and whether the resolution requires a formal intergovernmental agreement or other commitments before the council votes.