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Commission approves purchase offer, grant application and multiple appraisals for New Carlisle and Douglas Road projects
Summary
The commission authorized sending a purchase offer for 300 East Michigan Street based on average appraisals, approved a residential infrastructure fund grant application for the Hedgraf/Hedgecraf Farms project, and approved four appraisal contracts for two Douglas Road parcels.
St. Joseph County Redevelopment Commission approved several land- and grant-related actions affecting New Carlisle and Douglas Road project areas.
The commission authorized staff to send a standard purchase offer for 300 East Michigan Street to a local business identified in staff materials as Kerris Reals. Staff said two appraisals produced an average value of $367,000 and asked the commission to authorize the president to sign the purchase agreement when finalized; commissioners approved the motion unanimously.
Staff also asked the commission to approve submitting a Residential Infrastructure Fund (RIF) application for the Hedgraf (referred to in the packet as Hedgecraf) Farms project, at the northeast corner of Spruce and U.S. 20. Staff said the application seeks funding for initial multifamily infrastructure to extend utilities to the site; if the grant is awarded the county would likely amend the New Carlisle Economic Development Area to create a residential TIF district for the property. The commission approved submitting the online grant application; staff noted the application process provides a confirmation email but no packet itemized documents in the commission packet.
On property appraisals, the commission approved two appraisers for parcel 14101 East Douglas Road (an appraiser proposal from Iverson Grove for $2,000 and a second appraisal from Steve Sante for $750) and two appraisers for 14288 Douglas Road (Iverson Grove $700 and Steve Sante $500). Staff said the county recently acquired property and removed a house at or near 14288 Douglas Road and that the smaller appraisals will inform acquisition or title actions. All appraisal approvals passed on unanimous votes.
In project updates, staff said a Lippert/Holiday industrial building in the Northwest Cleveland Road economic development area will have a ribbon-cutting event and that the county is calling a new park on Anderson Road “County Park,” with a groundbreaking scheduled Oct. 22 at 4 p.m. Staff said additional Douglas Road property acquisitions continue as they become favorable for the overpass project; the county also continues trail planning along Capitol Avenue with potential hotel‑motel tax board partnerships to fund gaps.
