Sola solar project moves toward spring start; Eleventh Street Station garage and tower show construction progress

Commissioners received updates on two development sites at the Feb. 6 meeting: the Sola solar project and the Eleventh Street Station garage and residential tower.

Sola solar project: Skyler (Staff member) said the city and developers held an organizational meeting with utility departments and NIPSCO. Skyler noted NIPSCO has relocated a large gas line from the middle of the Sola lot to Michigan Boulevard, and staff and utilities are coordinating the design and timing of utility relocations. Skyler said Sola has until June 30 to break ground under the specified timeline and that the developer indicated an intention to begin construction in May. "They're telling me they are intending to break ground in May," Skyler said.

Eleventh Street Station garage and tower: Commissioner Sheila Brozematias reported an on-site visit and said the garage is progressing, with striped parking spaces and poured concrete floors visible; the courtyard construction and historic terracotta façade work on the tower are also underway. Brozematias said elevators have been a schedule issue but that developer representatives told the commission they hope to meet a revised completion target of May 1 (with possible earlier completion in April). "They might be able to do it earlier," she said.

No formal actions were taken on either update; staff will continue to coordinate permitting, utility relocations and contractor schedules and return to the commission if substantive approvals are required.