Plan progresses

Portland’s downtown economic development plan is moving forward.

Portland Board of Works on Thursday approved the Portland Downtown Economic Development Plan, the second step in the approval process.

Already having received initial approval from Portland Redevelopment Commission, the plan now moves to Portland City Council. If it is approved by the council, it will return to the redevelopment commission for final approval.

CWC Latitudes consultant Ed Curtin explained that in order for the redevelopment commission to spend money on an initiative it must be in the downtown economic development plan. He noted that having a plan in place is helpful in order to pursue grants, mentioning opportunities through Indiana Department of Transportation. He also pointed out that the plan is a framework and that funding opportunities change over time, including the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) and an additional $250 million in grant funding from the Lilly Endowment that is to be distributed alongside the READI 2.0 funding. Neither were in place when the last downtown economic development plan was written. (Also this year, the state’s Office of Community and Rural Affairs introduced the new Stellar Pathways program, an update on what was previously called Stellar Communities.)

The plan — it is available at portlanddowntownplan.com — lays out goals including beautifying the city, creating an entrepreneurial environment, enhancing economic health, improving connectivity, increasing housing opportunities and increasing transparency.

Approved uses for tax increment financing (TIF) district revenue, which is administered by the redevelopment commission, include acquisition and construction of projects or property, enhancing public safety, providing financial incentives, updating zoning ordinances, job training, housing attraction, public amenities, park improvements, infrastructure, tourism, sidewalks/streetscapes, transportation enhancement and utility projects.

Asked a question by plan commission member and former Portland mayor Randy Geesaman regarding flood mitigation, Curtin said the projects are left intentionally broad in order to allow the redevelopment flexibility. City attorney Wes Schemenaur noted that the redevelopment commission contributed financially to the Meridian Street storm sewer project that was completed last year.

Both Schemenaur and Jay/Portland Building and Planning director John Hemmelgarn agreed that the downtown economic development plan fits within the guidelines of the city’s comprehensive plan.

Geesaman suggested taking more time to review the plans, but plan commission member Ron Laux expressed trust for the work done by the redevelopment commission to put the plan together. (Design and planning firm Rundell Ernstberger Associates led the redevelopment commission in the process of developing the plan, including looking at existing plans and reviewing public policy, visiting the city to talk with residents and business owners, surveying the condition and use of downtown buildings and hosting focus groups and a public open house.)

Plan commission members Bart Darby, Matt Goldsworthy, Kyle Cook, Jerry Alexander, Kent McClung, Ashley Hilfiker, Geesaman and Laux, absent Steve McIntosh, unanimously approved the plan.

Also Thursday, the plan commission had a brief discussion about potential updates to the city’s zoning ordinance. (The redevelopment commission identified a few areas for potential change during the process of creating the downtown economic development plan.)

Hemmelgarn said his department is continuing to review the ordinance for potential updates. (It was last updated in 2009.) He added that one of the redevelopment commission’s suggestions — making second-story housing a permitted use rather than requiring a special exception — should be an easy change.

Geesaman suggested getting in contact with Accelerate Indiana Municipalities for tips on best practices for such ordinances. Hemmelgarn said his department has been looking at ordinances from other cities.

Schemanaur, as he has at previous meetings, advocated for a collaborative process between the plan commission, redevelopment commission, city council and others locally, with help from outside consultants if needed. Hemmelgarn said he doesn’t feel a complete overhaul is needed and that his department will continue to work on identifying potential updates.

The plan commission also heard from Portland resident Nick Miller, who recently ended his term as a representative to the Muncie Housing Authority. He said almost $20 million in grant funding is available in grant funding for “mixed income housing” development. He noted Joliet, Illinois, as a city that has had success with such projects.