Portage redevelopment staff updated the commission on "Project Kayak Point," saying the primary developer closed on the last parcel Oct. 15 and is discussing an ancillary building ("tenant B") that could add hundreds of thousands of square feet.

The staff presentation said the primary site could include an additional 200,000 to 350,000 square feet for the ancillary tenant, and noted the overall corridor could total 300,000 to 450,000 square feet depending on how tenant A and tenant B are treated. Staff also said the commission previously acted to purchase infrastructure (a sanitary sewer utility/pipe) and that the city will take possession of that utility and move forward with site design and architecture.

Staff described a planned donation of land along Salt Creek by the primary developer to provide public kayak access, branded as part of "Kayak Point," and said the city has been coordinating with local paddling groups (referred to in the meeting as Paddle Portage), the Porter County Visitors Bureau and the national park. Proposed amenities discussed included a pavilion, restrooms, interpretive trail, kayak ramps and parking; staff cautioned that some access routes would require navigating national park rules and that some northbound access into the park requires a national park pass.

On employment impact, staff told commissioners that tenant A alone would likely create "in excess of 50 employees," and added that construction-era jobs would also be expected. Commissioners and staff said the city is continuing discussions about how tenant B would be treated for incentives and that a declaratory resolution amending allocation areas could appear on the commission27s November agenda if required.

No formal action was recorded on the Kayak Point update; staff said it would return with formal documents if and when incentive or declaratory actions are necessary.