City staff reports $12 million IEDC/Lilly endowment award for Benham projects and announces Woodland Crossing and Roundhouse updates

Development services staff updated the commission on multiple items Oct. 14, including a $12 million award from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) through the Lilly Endowment blight elimination program for two Benham neighborhood projects.

Mike Huer, development services director, said much of the $12 million will flow directly to project partners: $6 million to Garrison Fraser for the South Main and Freight Street developments; $3 million will be split between the city and Goodwill for Sears build-out with the city receiving $3 million for Woodland Crossing build-out. Staff said the city plans to allocate $2 million toward municipal utility infrastructure to support new housing and to leverage $1 million for interior build-out of the Big Lots space; city staff also indicated the city may supplement those amounts with $3 million from consolidated TIF.

Staff also reported that second-street planters funded in a prior appropriation should be delivered and installed in November and that the city will host two Roundhouse public meetings (Oct. 27, 5:30–7 p.m.; Oct. 28, noon–1:30 p.m.) at Tolleson to present cleanup procedures and gather community input.

Huer read into the record that the technical review committee rejected one Woodland Crossing proposal (REO) because of insufficient budget justification; he also noted the city plans to present its 2026 budget at the November meeting.