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Portage council approves three allocation‑area resolutions to clear way for industrial and retail developments, plus kayak access
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Summary
The Portage City Common Council approved three redevelopment allocation‑area resolutions that advance a 40‑acre light‑manufacturing project with donated kayak access, a 25.5‑acre mixed‑use site tied to a BJ's anchor, and an 84.3‑acre Project Runway Southeast expected to include a 129,000 sq ft Target and major stormwater work.
The Portage City Common Council on Monday voted to approve three redevelopment allocation‑area resolutions that the administration said will advance new manufacturing and retail projects and create public amenities.
Dan (Redevelopment Commission representative) described the first approval as the Kayak Point allocation area, a roughly 40‑acre site east of Samuelson Road intended for a mixed‑use, light‑manufacturing tenant. He told the council the initial tenant would build a 200,000–225,000 square‑foot facility with direct private investment of $25–30 million plus an additional $5–7 million in personal property, and that the total investment for the site could reach $32–40 million if a second tenant signs on. Dan said the developer has agreed to donate about 5–7 acres along Salt Creek to provide public kayak access that would link south to Imagination Glen and the national park; he said the city would construct the access with RDC and parks department help because wetland and Army Corps constraints make it difficult for the developer.
“Portage is open for business,” Dan said, urging support for the resolution approving the plan commission’s findings.
The council approved that resolution by voice vote after a motion to adopt.
The council also approved Resolution 26‑09 for a Project Runway Southwest site on 25.5 acres tied to a proposed BJ’s Warehouse and adjacent ancillary development. Dan said the plan commission previously approved the land‑use finding and the RDC has negotiated an economic development agreement that will be finalized before confirming the project.
Finally, the council approved Resolution 26‑10 for Project Runway Southeast, an 84.3‑acre mixed‑use development that Dan described as a roughly $91 million investment with about $69 million in hard costs and a 129,000‑square‑foot anchor tenant identified in discussion as Target. City engineering and Dan’s office told the council the redevelopment work includes a stormwater connection intended to alleviate chronic flooding — including measures to reduce detention‑pond reliance and to prevent Saint Mary’s lot from flooding — and the RDC has purchased an adjacent private right‑of‑way that would be dedicated to the city to permit a future extension of Veterans Parkway to Airport Road.
Tom (public‑works official) said the first phase is the stormwater connection from Scottsdale to the west side of the BJ’s site, which the city expects will resolve ongoing drainage problems; he said the stormwater work will be paid for as part of the RDC arrangement while the road extension will be a budget item for later.
All three redevelopment resolutions passed in voice votes after motions and seconds from council members.
What happens next: the plan commission and redevelopment commission have already issued findings, the economic development agreements are being finalized for signature, and the RDC will hold confirming public hearings as required before construction and infrastructure work proceed.
