Metropolitan Development Commission approves property transfers, contract award and creates two TIF districts

The Metropolitan Development Commission voted unanimously on Jan. 15 to approve six policy resolutions authorizing property transfers, a contract award and the creation of tax-increment financing districts.

The commission voted 6-0 to approve Resolution 2025 R005 and companion Resolution 2025 R006, which authorize the Department of Metropolitan Development (DMD) to accept a small parcel owned by the Department of Public Works and to convey certain rights at 752 East Market Street to facilitate redevelopment of the former Arrestee Processing Center and Jail 2 site. Jenny Foltz, deputy director for the Department of Metropolitan Development, told commissioners DMD discovered a small sliver of DPW-owned land during due diligence and said the transfers will allow the county-owned portions of the site to be combined with the developer’s parcels.

The commission also approved Resolution 2025 R007, awarding the Union Station West End Water Management package to the lowest responsible and responsive bidder in the amount of $269,899. That resolution was taken first and passed 6-0 following a motion by Commissioner Robinson and a second by Commissioner Schumacher.

In other business, the commission approved Resolution 2025 A002, an amendment to a 2019 real property tax abatement (Resolution 2019 A051) for Westmont at 1515 Lewis Street (Council District 13, Center Township). Leticia Ramsey, compliance manager for DMD, said the amendment transfers the memorandum of agreement to the new owner, Westmont LLC, and updates the unit-mix table; DMD recommended approval.

DMD staff presented two confirmatory resolutions creating tax-increment financing allocation areas. Krista Bozaky, community development block grant manager, told the commission that 2025 E001 would create the South Post Road Economic Development Area and TIF allocation area to support residential or industrial growth and infrastructure improvements along the Post Road corridor; staff said the TIF will be used to prioritize and fund infrastructure projects as increment becomes available. The commission approved 2025 E001, 6-0, and congratulated Councilor Michael-Paul Hart on advancing the area’s creation.

The commission also approved 2025 E003, a confirmatory resolution to create the Norwood redevelopment area and housing tax-increment financing allocation area. Logan Lane, DMD staff, said the Norwood HOTIF is intended to support affordable housing, owner-occupied repairs, infrastructure and funding for Bridal Park; staff said it has worked with neighborhood stakeholders since 2022 and supports the resolution. The commission approved E003 6-0.

Several continuances and procedural items were handled later in the meeting: two petitions (items 9 and 10) were continued to Feb. 5 for amended commitments; zoning petitions 2024 ZON030 and 2024 ZON080 were continued to Feb. 5; 2024 ZON098 was continued automatically to Feb. 19; 2024 ZON112 (the old fire station at 5201 West Raymond Street) was dismissed for lack of prosecution after staff reported the petitioner’s representative was not present; and petitions of no appeal (2024 MOD022, 2024 MOD023 and 2024 ZON118) were approved as a group.

Why it matters: the transfers and conveyances approved for the former jail site clear legal and ownership obstacles that DMD and Marion County staff said were necessary before developer conveyances and redevelopment could proceed. The two TIFs create tools to fund infrastructure and housing investments in priority corridors and neighborhoods once the districts begin to generate increment.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 2025 R007 — Award Union Station West End Water Management package; motion by Commissioner Robinson; second Commissioner Schumacher; award amount $269,899; outcome: approved, 6-0. - Resolution 2025 R005 — Authorize DMD to accept DPW parcel for redevelopment of former Jail 2 site; motion by Commissioner Murphy; second Commissioner James; outcome: approved, 6-0. - Resolution 2025 R006 — Authorize DMD to convey certain rights at 752 East Market Street to facilitate redevelopment (companion to R005); motion by Commissioner Garver; second Commissioner James; outcome: approved, 6-0. - Resolution 2025 A002 — Amend 2019 real property tax abatement for Westmont (1515 Lewis Street); motion by Commissioner Schumacher; second Commissioner Murphy; outcome: approved, 6-0. - Resolution 2025 E001 — Confirmatory resolution creating the South Post Road Economic Development Area and TIF allocation area; motion to approve made by President Dillon; second Commissioner Schumacher; outcome: approved, 6-0. - Resolution 2025 E003 — Confirmatory resolution creating the Norwood redevelopment area and HOTIF; motion by Commissioner Murphy; second Commissioner Robinson; outcome: approved, 6-0.

What commissioners and staff said

Jenny Foltz, deputy director, described the DPW-owned sliver discovered during due diligence on the jail 2 redevelopment and said acceptance and conveyance of the parcel would facilitate a common transfer to the developer. Leticia Ramsey, DMD compliance manager, spoke about the Westmont amendment and said staff agreed with transferring the MOA to Westmont LLC and updating the unit mix table. Krista Bozaky, DMD community development block grant manager, and Logan Lane presented the proposed South Post Road and Norwood TIFs and described the types of projects the increments could fund once revenues are generated.

Looking ahead: staff will return with continued petitions and the de novo rehearing dates recorded on the record; the commission scheduled rehearings and continuances (see meeting minutes for Feb. 5 and Feb. 19 listings).