Housing complex proposed

The vacant book bindery lot could become home to a new apartment complex.
Representatives from Herman and Kittle Properties proposed a plan for apartments at the book bindery lot during Tuesday’s Portland City Council meeting.
City council also approved its first reading of the 2017 budget, authorized Mayor Randy Geesaman to submit an application for State Revolving Loan Fund money and received an update on the status of the city’s loan to the owners of Jay County Antique Mall.
The complex, pitched as the Park Vista apartments, at the former book bindery site on Wayne Street near Hudson Family Park, would be a three-story facility designed to appeal to senior citizens, and would include amenities like an elevator, raised gardens and a community room. It would include 18 one-bedroom, 32 two-bedroom and five three-bedroom apartments.
The $9.3 million complex would be designed for individuals and families making near or below $25,000, which would include 35 percent of Portland’s residents, according to their proposal.
The proposal was added to the council’s agenda at the last minute, making a full vetting difficult.
Council member Kent McClung noted that he would have multiple questions, but needed time to review the presentation before he could ask them.
Council member Mark Hedges highlighted his concerns that the project could result in added infrastructure costs for the city.
“In six months are you guys gonna come back and say ‘Oh by the way, you need to approve these expenditures for us to do this project’?” Hedges asked.
Mike Rodriguez, one of the representatives from Herman and Kittle, explained that the only thing the company would ask from the city would be possible consideration of some form of tax abatement.
A Herman and Kittle representative will return to the next city council meeting Sept. 19 to field further questions.
The council also heard its first reading of the 2017 budget.
Portland Mayor Randy Geesaman explained that the only changes to the budget as compared to 2016 are an increase for Jay/Portland Building and Planning, for which the city shares funding responsibilities with the county.
The council voted to approve the budget on first reading, and will finalize the budget at its next meeting.
Council also approved a proposal from Geesaman to apply for money from the State Revolving Loan Fund that would be used to make state-mandated changes to the city’s wastewater facilities. The changes include improvements to the city’s wastewater treatment plant and a new sewer line on Harrison Street, and will cost an estimated $6 million.
Portland Board of Works approved a contract Thursday for Jones and Henry Engineering to draw up plans for both new improvements.
Council members Bill Gibson, Don Gillespie, Michele Brewster, Janet Powers, McClung and Hedges, absent Judy Aker, approved two resolutions relating to the proposal, the first authorizing Geesaman to apply for the State Revolving Loan Fund money, and the second to submit the city’s preliminary engineering report in the application.
Geesaman also updated council on the status of the Jay County Antique Mall, whose owners Brad and Pat Daniels received a $75,000 loan from the city in January but had struggled in the past to keep compliant with the agreement. Because of the city’s status as a lender, council needed to approve the owners’ plan to refinance the mortgage on the Antique Mall, which was originally bought on contract. Council approved the refinancing plan.
According to city attorney Bill Hinkle, the change will bring the city from third on a list of lenders to second, putting it in “no worse position.”
In other business, the council:
•Heard an update from Geesaman on blighted homes. The demonstration demolition for state regulators is slated for Sept. 18, with the other demolitions to follow soon after.
•Discussed Ball State University redevelopment students’ field work that will be conducted in Portland’s downtown this afternoon. Students will be interviewing downtown merchants, historic property owners, city residents and downtown customers for their suggestions for Portland’s redevelopment.
•Approved a street closure for 10th Street and a portion of Miller Avenue from 6 to 11 p.m. Oct. 8 for a block party.
•Heard concerns from Hedges about the lack of action on three properties that were damaged by fires. Geesaman said one of the homes, on 7th Street, is being investigated for arson.
•Was informed by Geesaman that construction on new sidewalks that will run from the intersection of Lafayette Street and Creagor Avenue to Judge Haynes Elementary School as a part of the Safe Routes to School program began Tuesday.
•Approved payment of claims totaling $883,630.34.