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Merrillville redevelopment commission approves supplemental agreement for Whitcomb Street right-of-way
Summary
The Town of Merrillville Redevelopment Commission voted 4-0 to approve Supplemental Agreement No. 2 for Whitcomb Street alignment and intersection improvements, authorizing right-of-way acquisition work, including one complete property take and retention of an outside right-of-way acquisition firm.
The Town of Merrillville Redevelopment Commission voted 4-0 Tuesday to approve Supplemental Agreement No. 2 for the Whitcomb Street alignment and intersection improvements, authorizing right-of-way acquisition work and the retention of an outside acquisition firm.
The action came at the commission's meeting that began at 6:22 p.m. Chair read that Robinson Engineering has been coordinating with town staff and that the supplemental agreement covers right-of-way acquisition on the Whitcomb Street project. Chair said, “This supplemental agreement is for right of way acquisition, on the project.”
The agreement includes retaining Right of Way Jones, described in the meeting as a Fort Wayne firm, to handle the acquisitions. The commission was told there will be “in 1 instance, a total take, of property, from 1 of the property owners out there,” and that staff has spoken with the affected property owner at least twice.
Commission members discussed timing and procedures: staff said appraisals and the uniform land acquisition offers must be completed before offers are made, and that process will likely take up to a year. Chair told commissioners to expect constituent inquiries in the affected ward as offers move forward.
On project funding, the Chair emphasized budget limits while describing the Whitcomb Street appropriation: “This is inside the $12,000,000 that we allotted, for Whitcomb Street. Conversely, we allotted 15,000,000, and I stress to everyone involved that not a change order or dime more than those dollar amounts because there ain't no any money available now that the bonds have sold.” The commission did not add or change funding amounts during the meeting; no additional appropriations were authorized.
Motion and vote: the motion to approve Supplemental Agreement No. 2 was made by Councilor Usilac and seconded by Councilor Haines Edwards. A roll-call vote recorded Councilor Haynes Edwards (Aye), Councilor Usulec (Yes), Councilor Ler Haraway (Yes) and Councilor Patty (Yes). The chair announced, “Motion carries 4 to 0.”
After the vote, the chair said staff would notify Angie and Joanna about signatures or follow-up paperwork. There was no other new business, and the commission adjourned.
The approved supplemental agreement covers right-of-way acquisition work only; no construction change orders or additional construction funding were authorized during this meeting.
