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Sellersburg council appoints two to redevelopment authority; redevelopment, school property and downtown preservation discussed
Summary
The council appointed DJ Bickle and Ray Dismore to the redevelopment authority and discussed redevelopment commission roles in a pending project related to the former Sellersburg Elementary School and other preservation goals; officials said the appointments help meet requirements for borrowing and project administration.
The Sellersburg Town Council on Aug. 12 approved two appointments to the town’s redevelopment authority and discussed how the redevelopment commission will handle upcoming economic-development and real-estate matters, including the former Sellersburg Elementary School property.
Councilmember Randy moved to appoint DJ Bickle and Ray Dismore to the redevelopment authority; Councilmember Terry seconded and the council approved the appointments by voice vote.
Council discussion clarified that the entity is a "redevelopment authority" and that it typically functions with three members in this instance. Town staff said the appointments were part of forming the authority’s membership so it can proceed with financing and administrative steps tied to redevelopment projects, including bond-backed sewer work discussed earlier in the meeting.
During public comments and later staff remarks, council and staff discussed the town’s recent transaction involving the old Sellersburg Elementary School property. Staff said the town traded roughly four acres with the school corporation to preserve the building’s facade and that the redevelopment commission would lead subsequent efforts, including a public-input process and possible requests for proposals (RFPs) to solicit developer interest.
Town staff noted TIF dollars must be spent in support of or for the benefit of the TIF district; because the school property is not in the current TIF district, staff said any use of TIF funds would depend on the proposed end use and legal review by the redevelopment attorney.
The council said it will form a small committee — including two council-appointed redevelopment commission members and staff — to meet and work through initial strategies and public-engagement steps. Staff said the redevelopment commission would later return plans and recommendations to the council and hold community input sessions.
The council approved the two appointments and directed staff to continue work on redevelopment matters related to downtown preservation and the school site.
