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St. Joseph County Redevelopment Commission approves New Carlisle community center feasibility study and several development actions
Summary
The commission approved a $195,000 two‑phase feasibility study for a potential New Carlisle community center, authorized a $304,000 parcel purchase on Marble Lane, ratified a grant application for a mixed‑use project and authorized on‑call survey services, taking a series of votes to advance local redevelopment work.
The St. Joseph County Redevelopment Commission on Thursday approved a package of development actions, including a two‑phase feasibility study for a possible New Carlisle community center and a property purchase intended to support future road and site improvements.
Mister Scaglio, presenting economic development updates, described Resolution 2024‑2022 as a housekeeping appropriation that uses reimbursements from the Amazon development agreement to pay late bills and to seed a bond repayment fund. After a brief clarification about fund transfers between expenditure and receipt accounts, commissioners moved and approved the resolution.
The commission voted to award a professional services proposal to Whiteman to lead a two‑phase feasibility study for a New Carlisle community center. The total contract is $195,000 plus reimbursable expenses, with phase one estimated at $105,000 and phase two at $90,000. Scaglio said Whiteman will lead the work with Johnson serving as a subcontractor; Will Miller (Olive Township) and Marcy Kaufman (Town of New Carlisle) joined by video and expressed support. "This is not a commitment to build the facility," Scaglio said; "this is absolutely a study to figure out what this could be and then we'll have to work through the next phases to figure out how it gets paid for who staffs and things like that." Commissioners approved the proposal and agreed staff will return for ratification before moving into phase two.
Commissioners also authorized an on‑call agreement (#5) with Lawson Fisher, capped at $75,000, to provide subdivision, planning and survey services tied to ongoing property and platting work. Staff said on‑call agreements allow quicker turnaround for detailed survey and plat work related to commitments in development agreements and to actions with large manufacturers on site.
On property acquisitions, the commission approved Resolution 2024‑23 to appropriate funds to purchase 340 Marble Lane in New Carlisle for $304,000. Staff said the price was based on the average of two appraisals plus relocation and closing costs and that the parcel is within IEC allocation area 5; it could support future road improvements or be part of a larger site if adjacent parcels become available. "The city of New Carlisle is purchasing the property next door," staff added, and the transaction was characterized as a friendly sale with a willing seller.
Separately, staff told the commission it had submitted an application to a state revolving fund for a mixed‑use development outside the town limits and asked the commission to ratify the filing because the redevelopment commission (not the developer) must serve as the applicant. The board moved to ratify the application.
All formal votes at the meeting were approved by the commission. The board also announced it will move its regular meetings to the third Tuesday of each month beginning Jan. 21.
The commission did not vote on any construction decisions during the meeting; members approved studies, agreements and property acquisition steps that staff said are intended to advance planning and keep projects on schedule.
The commission adjourned following public comment and holiday greetings from the chair.
