At the Dec. 16 meeting, staff presented Amendment #2 to the professional services agreement for the Capitol Avenue development corridor master plan and asked the authority to approve up to $60,000 to complete stakeholder outreach and finalize the first phase.

Unidentified Speaker 6 summarized the project's history, saying work began in August 2023 and that the planning area shifted after Microsoft became involved and removed roughly 1,000 acres. An extended utilities negotiation with the City of Mishawaka was described as largely resolved after a hearing the previous day, clearing the way to finish the draft plan and move into a more comprehensive next phase.

The amendment will fund stakeholder meetings to review utilities and initial plan steps with the township, the City of Mishawaka, local schools and other stakeholders. Staff said the amount requested is “not to exceed $60,000” to complete these tasks. A motion and second were recorded and roll-call replies included affirmative votes; the meeting record proceeded as if the amendment had support.

Unidentified Speaker 6 said approval would position staff to begin the broader next-phase planning work in the coming year now that utilities and some land-use issues are largely settled.