Saint Joseph County advances Portage Manor disposal after packed public hearing; RFP process to follow

The Saint Joseph County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously April 28 to advance a resolution (R‑6‑C‑2026) that keeps the Portage Manor property moving through a statutory disposal process and into a public request‑for‑proposals stage.

Board President (Chair) opened the hearing and said the meeting’s purpose was to gather public input and to formally continue the disposal process, not to make a final decision about the property’s future. He outlined the timeline ahead: the matter will move to a county‑council committee meeting on May 12, a public council meeting on May 26, and the county will publish RFP notices twice (one week apart) followed by a 30‑day proposal period.

The public hearing drew scores of residents, preservationists and representatives of Saint Thomas More Academy (STMA). Todd Zeiger, vice president of Indiana Landmarks, urged the board to prioritize preservation and offered the nonprofit’s assistance in crafting RFPs that balance reuse and protection: “We’re aware of its history … and appreciate the public comments to date about the importance of that building and its context and surrounding area,” he said. Several conservation and natural‑history speakers described a large glacial ravine and unique habitat on the site and urged keeping the land intact.

STMA’s head of school, Kevin Powers, presented a formal stewardship proposal: he said the school would seek approximately 21.7 acres and the manor building, invest an estimated $5–7 million immediately to reopen and stabilize the structure, and could invest as much as $30 million over time to develop a campus while supporting a preserved nature area on the remaining acreage. Powers said STMA would open the building to educational and community uses and pledged to work with the board on preserving wooded ravines and public access.

Speakers who opposed sale or development framed the site as an irreplaceable community and ecological asset. Brett Benasiewicz described the property’s role in his recovery from traumatic brain injury and told commissioners Portage Manor “became somewhere where I can rebuild structure … places like the property aren't just land.” Naturalists emphasized regional uniqueness and educational potential, and multiple residents urged strict deed restrictions, conservation easements or a preference for nonprofit stewardship.

A local business owner, Amanda Davidson, told commissioners she had documented patterns and depressions in a wooded area that she believes are consistent with unmarked or transitional burial sites dating to the manor’s early years and requested a temporary halt to sale or disturbance pending archaeological review. That concern was raised publicly and was not resolved during the hearing.

County surveyor Derek Dieter and others asked procedural and boundary questions about recent surveys and parcel labeling; county staff said the RFP and review process will resolve exact parcel boundaries and RFP terms. The chair reiterated that RFPs will be developed with input and that final award decisions will return to the board.

After public comment closed, a commissioner moved and the board approved resolution R‑6‑C‑2026 to continue the disposal process and begin the RFP timeline. The motion passed with three aye votes.

Next steps include the county council committee review on May 12 and a council public meeting May 26, followed by the formal RFP posting and a 30‑day proposal window. The board emphasized that additional public comment opportunities will follow as the RFPs are drafted and reviewed.