Council hears Tailwinds business-park introduction; developers seek $2M RDC loan for road on first reading
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Summary
Developers described a $30 million Tailwinds business-park and asked the council to consider a forgivable loan from Redevelopment Commission/TIF proceeds to build a public roadway; the measure was presented on first reading and held for a second reading with Q&A on labor, sidewalks and funding.
On first reading Feb. 17, Michigan City councilmembers heard a presentation on the Tailwinds business-park project and an associated infrastructure financing request.
Skyler York, speaking for the city’s redevelopment staff, said the request is being made under the economic development commission enabling statute and that the item before council is a loan agreement arranged through the Redevelopment Commission (RDC) and reviewed by the Economic Development Commission (EDC). York said the requested public participation is for construction of a roadway that will be dedicated to the city after inspection.
Developer representatives David Duran and Matt Rossman described the planned multi-building business park as a roughly $30 million private investment framed around a public-private partnership. Duran said the roadway scope is about a $4 million project with benchmarks tied to construction progress; the RDC and developer would each contribute about $2 million. Duran said the loan would come from TIF proceeds and would not be an obligation of the city general fund.
The developers estimated 170–200 construction jobs for the roadway and building work and 80–120 permanent jobs once buildings are leased; they also estimated new annual local revenue of about $1.0–$1.1 million when fully built out. Council members asked about sidewalks, bus-stop accommodations and a guarantee of local or union labor. Developers said sidewalks will be required in subdivision review, the roadway will be inspected by the city engineer and that they historically hire union contractors for similar projects but did not present a project labor agreement (PLA) this evening.
Public commenters generally supported the development and asked questions about potential future tax abatements and construction materials; some asked whether contractors would be local. The ordinance was introduced on first reading and held for a full presentation at second reading.
