Steps discussed

Portland's Downtown Economic Development Plan will go before the Portland Plan Commission next week.

Portland Redevelopment Commission discussed that process and related suggestions for changes to the city’s zoning code during its meeting Friday morning.

The downtown economic development plan, which the redevelopment commission developed last year with assistance from Rundell Ernstberger Associates, addresses issues including vacant/dilapidated buildings, the need for more walkability/bike-ability, barriers to entry for small businesses and a lack of housing options and sets out goals such as beautifying the city, creating an environment that encourages small business and increasing housing options. It is available online at portlanddowntownplan.com.

The process of approving the downtown economic development plan started with the redevelopment commission passing a declaratory resolution in December. It must then be approved by the plan commission — it will determine whether the downtown economic development plan aligns with the city’s comprehensive plan — and the city council before returning to the redevelopment commission for a confirmatory resolution.

CWC Latitudes consultant Ed Curtin, who advises the redevelopment commission, noted that the downtown economic development plan also involves creating a new tax increment financing (TIF) district to capture any additional tax revenue from potential improvements to be made by the Hood Building. (The redevelopment commission purchased the building, home of The Graphic Printing Company, in December for potential development.)

The plan commission is scheduled to meet at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at Community Resource Center, 118 S. Meridian St., Portland. Curtin asked redevelopment commission members to attend.

Curtin also reported that the city council at its March 18 meeting did not take any action on the redevelopment commission’s proposal to have Rundell Ernstberger Associates lead a process to update the city's zoning and subdivision ordinances. There was a discussion at that meeting about Jay/Portland Building and Planning handling the process with input from the redevelopment commission.

Curtin asked the redevelopment commission whether it would like to continue to pursue the issue.

City attorney Wes Schemenaur said he believes the key moving forward is for redevelopment commission members to explain why they believe outside help would be beneficial.

“I think we might be able to get there,” he said, suggesting a collaborative process involving the building and planning department and city council.

He added that there was a feeling that the previous zoning update in 2009 was thrust upon the city by an outside firm and did not have enough local input.

“We’re looking for help here, not for somebody to take over this process for the city,” Schemenaur said.

Redevelopment commission vice president Reda Theurer-Miller agreed, saying there should be a balance struck between local input and outside expertise.

Also Monday, redevelopment commission member Joe Johnston asked about the progress on Indiana Department of Transportation’s project on Meridian Street (U.S. 27).

Traffic signals along Meridian Street at its intersections with Water, Main, Walnut, High and Lafayette streets will be removed beginning “on or after Monday, April 29,” INDOT said in a press release this week. Temporary stop signs will be placed at the intersection of Meridian and Water streets, making it a four-way stop, with other intersections to become two-way stops with traffic free-flowing along Meridian Street. (Temporary “buzz strips” will be placed along Meridian Street at each intersection to encourage drivers to slow down.)

The traffic signal removal is part of a larger project that includes paving Meridian Street between county roads 100 North and 200 South and reconstructing Americans with Disabilities Act ramps to sidewalks with extended “bump outs” at some intersections in the downtown area.

Theurer-Miller noted that the project is expected to be complete in October, which would allow time for Portland Main Street Connect’s downtown planters to be decorated for Winterfest.

In other business, commission members Mike Simons, Dave Teeter, Theurer-Miller and Johnston, absent Rusty Inman:

•Approved the financial report, which shows $841,508.78 across all funds. 

•Adopted a resolution to not release any of the assessed value back to taxing entities for 2025. Curtin made the recommendation, noting that projections show about $351,000 in income for the commission next year with $550,000 estimated in expenses.