Redevelopment commission selects Lucas Group for Maple Street negotiations, approves TIF spending plan and Framery sale

The Lawrenceburg Redevelopment Commission voted Tuesday to enter negotiations with the Lucas Group for development of the Maple Street parcel in downtown Lawrenceburg and approved several other redevelopment actions, including a tax-increment finance spending plan for 2026 and an economic development agreement (EDA) to continue operation of the Framery on East High Street.

The commission approved a motion to proceed into negotiations with the Lucas Group for the Maple Street property — described in the meeting as the corner of Center and Maple — after hearing competing proposals from two developer teams. Commissioners also approved a TIF spending plan for calendar year 2026 that earmarks the commission's TIF revenue for bond payments tied to Civic Park, and they approved an EDA to continue the Framery's downtown operations. Separately, the commission agreed by roll call, 4–1, to consider assistance for a West High Street homeowner facing an unexpected sewer tap charge.

The TIF spending plan, identified in the meeting packet as resolution 2025-2, covered the commission's sole planned TIF expenditure for 2026: ongoing bond payments on Civic Park totaling $554,235. Executive Director Brad Messmer told commissioners the state legislature has added transparency requirements for TIF funds and the commission was submitting a required spending plan. The commission approved the resolution by voice vote.

On the Maple Street parcel, the commission heard two presentations. One presenter representing a nonprofit described a proposal to build a modest apartment building of…