July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Street project estimate at $1.3 million (10/17/06)
Redevelopment Commisson
By By MARY ANN LEWIS-
The first project to be undertaken with funds from Portland's Tax Increment Financing (TIF) appears ready to begin.
Redevelopment commission members met Monday afternoon and learned from Matthew Lorenz, engineering designer with The Schneider Corporation, Indianapolis, that the Industrial Park Drive improvements will total nearly $1.3 million.
City officials earlier this year established a TIF district through Portland's downtown as well as areas on the west side to address needs in those areas. Bonds will be issued and repaid with TIF funds to provide the money for the projects.
The Industrial Park Drive project includes straightening the curve around the existing lift station, addressing the northern curve near Alphabet-Portland Division, creating entrances and turn lanes into the new Wal-Mart SuperCenter, creating a center left turn lane from Wal-Mart to Franklin Street, and construction of a Lafayette Street approach in anticipation of the extension of that street.
It is expected to take about one year to complete.
But a time-line for the project to begin brought concern Monday from Sue Beesley, an attorney with Bingham-McHale LLP, Indianapolis, and advisor to the commission.
Lorenz explained the project calls for the city to accept bids beginning Oct. 30, bid opening on Nov. 20, and awarding of bids to be done on Dec. 11. Construction should begin Jan. 1, he explained.
But Beesley said she had tentatively set closing for the bid bonds on Dec. 13.
"If we don't know what the bids are, we can't sell the bonds," she said about the date. "Dec. 11 will be the first date we know anything about the figures."
Bonds cannot be issued until after the bids are awarded.
After commission members Joe Johnston, Mike Simons, Lola Joy, Randy Wehrly, and Bob Quadrozzi, discussed where time could be reduced, such as the 14 days given to the city for reviewing of the bids and 21 days given for letting the contracts, Beesley agreed to look at ways time can be shortened and offer her findings to Hosier.
"We can begin construction a soon as we close (on the bonds)," she explained.
Lorenz explained some cost cutting measures that could be implemented pertaining to the width and density of asphalt as well as reducing the travel lane width.
"There would be no detrimental affect on anything," Lorenz explained of the proposed changes.
However commission members agreed that they wanted the project completed in the best way possible.
"This is a long-range project and I'd like to see it done in the best way possible," said Portland Mayor Bruce Hosier, who serves as an advisor to the commission.
"I support the mayor's vision on this," said Johnston. "We don't need to save money."
"We need to stay committed to the original plans. To be careful not to take away from the project," Hosier added about the suggested cost cutting. "Our priority project is the Industrial Drive."
When asked about undertaking the Lafayette Street extension along with the Industrial Park Drive project, Beesley reminded members that all they were authorized to do at this time was the Industrial Park Drive project.
"You gave yourselves a limit," she said about the cost.
Commission members agreed to give the Hosier the authority to accept the engineer's drawing and to proceed with bidding.
"All we have to come up with is the bond revenues," said Johnston, who abstained from the voting since Lorenz is his son-in-law.
"What if we don't come up with enough money?" asked Quadrozzi, president of the commission, and Jay County Development Corporation executive director.
Hosier explained that the city will be receiving nearly $100,000 over the next two years from the state's Major Moves money, and he plans to offer that money to help offset the costs of the project.
"It's to go for transportation," Hosier said, "and this would be the place to put it."
"That would be the most beneficial to the general public," Quadrozzi added.
The commission will be meeting in early December to hear updates on the project.[[In-content Ad]]
Redevelopment commission members met Monday afternoon and learned from Matthew Lorenz, engineering designer with The Schneider Corporation, Indianapolis, that the Industrial Park Drive improvements will total nearly $1.3 million.
City officials earlier this year established a TIF district through Portland's downtown as well as areas on the west side to address needs in those areas. Bonds will be issued and repaid with TIF funds to provide the money for the projects.
The Industrial Park Drive project includes straightening the curve around the existing lift station, addressing the northern curve near Alphabet-Portland Division, creating entrances and turn lanes into the new Wal-Mart SuperCenter, creating a center left turn lane from Wal-Mart to Franklin Street, and construction of a Lafayette Street approach in anticipation of the extension of that street.
It is expected to take about one year to complete.
But a time-line for the project to begin brought concern Monday from Sue Beesley, an attorney with Bingham-McHale LLP, Indianapolis, and advisor to the commission.
Lorenz explained the project calls for the city to accept bids beginning Oct. 30, bid opening on Nov. 20, and awarding of bids to be done on Dec. 11. Construction should begin Jan. 1, he explained.
But Beesley said she had tentatively set closing for the bid bonds on Dec. 13.
"If we don't know what the bids are, we can't sell the bonds," she said about the date. "Dec. 11 will be the first date we know anything about the figures."
Bonds cannot be issued until after the bids are awarded.
After commission members Joe Johnston, Mike Simons, Lola Joy, Randy Wehrly, and Bob Quadrozzi, discussed where time could be reduced, such as the 14 days given to the city for reviewing of the bids and 21 days given for letting the contracts, Beesley agreed to look at ways time can be shortened and offer her findings to Hosier.
"We can begin construction a soon as we close (on the bonds)," she explained.
Lorenz explained some cost cutting measures that could be implemented pertaining to the width and density of asphalt as well as reducing the travel lane width.
"There would be no detrimental affect on anything," Lorenz explained of the proposed changes.
However commission members agreed that they wanted the project completed in the best way possible.
"This is a long-range project and I'd like to see it done in the best way possible," said Portland Mayor Bruce Hosier, who serves as an advisor to the commission.
"I support the mayor's vision on this," said Johnston. "We don't need to save money."
"We need to stay committed to the original plans. To be careful not to take away from the project," Hosier added about the suggested cost cutting. "Our priority project is the Industrial Drive."
When asked about undertaking the Lafayette Street extension along with the Industrial Park Drive project, Beesley reminded members that all they were authorized to do at this time was the Industrial Park Drive project.
"You gave yourselves a limit," she said about the cost.
Commission members agreed to give the Hosier the authority to accept the engineer's drawing and to proceed with bidding.
"All we have to come up with is the bond revenues," said Johnston, who abstained from the voting since Lorenz is his son-in-law.
"What if we don't come up with enough money?" asked Quadrozzi, president of the commission, and Jay County Development Corporation executive director.
Hosier explained that the city will be receiving nearly $100,000 over the next two years from the state's Major Moves money, and he plans to offer that money to help offset the costs of the project.
"It's to go for transportation," Hosier said, "and this would be the place to put it."
"That would be the most beneficial to the general public," Quadrozzi added.
The commission will be meeting in early December to hear updates on the project.[[In-content Ad]]
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