Commission approves Woodland Crossing change order, event access and $43,211 utilities budget increase

The Elkhart Redevelopment Commission on July 14 approved multiple actions affecting Woodland Crossing, including a change order to address a missing utility room, access agreements for two upcoming events and a $43,211.11 operations-budget increase for utilities.

Staff described Change Order 10 as a solution for an omitted utility room in the former Big Lots space; the proposed change increases the Ancon contract price to cover the additional work and requests an allocation of $28,390.97 from the identified account with unused funds to be returned to the appropriate account. Commissioners approved the change order by voice vote.

The commission also approved two access agreements that allow Elkhart Public Library and Elkhart Community Schools to use Woodland Crossing for events (Elkhart Public Library market-style event is planned for Aug. 29; Elkhart Community Schools will hold a resource fair on Sept. 10). Staff confirmed necessary event permitting through the board of works is in place and authorized execution of the access agreements.

Mary Casca, assistant director of community development, presented an amendment to the Woodland Crossing operations budget to increase electricity ($24,345.02), natural gas ($14,674.42) and water and sewer ($4,211.67) line items for a total of $43,211.11. Staff said these increases will be covered by Woodland Crossing shopping-center rent revenues; the commission approved the budget amendment by voice vote.

The approvals are administrative steps required to proceed with construction adjustments, event hosting and month-to-month operations at Woodland Crossing; staff said unused change-order funds, if any, will be returned to the appropriate account.