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Commission approves purchase of 300 East Michigan, environmental testing and awards demolition quote
Summary
The commission approved purchasing 300 East Michigan for $400,000 (appraisal $367,000), authorized environmental testing and demolition planning with Christopher Burke ($23,725) and awarded Jackson Demolition Services $70,000 to remove the Osceola property; the purchase agreement includes a 90-day environmental review provision.
St. Joseph County Redevelopment Commission voted to move forward on acquiring 300 East Michigan Street in New Carlisle, authorize environmental testing and demolition planning, and award a demolition contract for a separate property.
Staff said the county negotiated a purchase price of $400,000 for the vacant former Bales Mechanical/CARE Reels parcel; an appraisal came in at $367,000. Staff told commissioners the purchase agreement will be contingent on a 90-day environmental review window; if a hazardous condition such as an underground fuel tank is discovered, staff said the commission may withdraw from the purchase without penalty.
The commission approved a professional services agreement with Christopher Burke to perform environmental testing and demolition planning for 300 East Michigan at a proposed amount of $23,725, and approved an additional proposal for demolition planning and testing. Commissioners then approved staff's recommendation to award the demolition quote for 320 Lincoln Way East in Osceola to Jackson Demolition Services in the amount of $70,000.
Public comment raised transparency and cost concerns. Dan Caruso of New Carlisle noted several redacted pages in the packet and questioned projected taxpayer commitments tied to land acquisitions and station-area improvements; Caruso asked whether county residents will be included in planning and whether the plan will include meaningful public involvement. Caruso said packet pages ("page 94, 106") were redacted and requested that the full packet be posted online; staff replied that a full packet with additional pages would be posted later.
What happens next: staff will proceed with the 90-day environmental review on the purchase agreement before closing; environmental services and demolition work will proceed per contracted scopes.
