Plan gets final OK

A new plan for downtown Portland is in place.

Portland Redevelopment Commission on Friday approved a confirmatory resolution for its Portland Downtown Economic Development Plan.

Friday’s vote, which followed a public hearing during which they was no comment, was the final step for local government to approve the plan. (It will now be sent to the county auditor’s office and uploaded to the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance (DLGF) website.)

The plan details what redevelopment commission funds can be spent on, including 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 and streetscapes, transportation enhancement and utility projects. It also sets out goals such as beautifying the city, creating an environment that encourages small business and increasing housing options.

The plan also creates a new residential tax increment financing (TIF) district around the Hood Building, home of The Graphic Printing Company. The redevelopment commission purchased the building from the company, publisher of four regional newspapers including The Commercial Review, in December 2023 with the intention of targeting the second, third and fourth floors for development. (The company has continued to operate at the site, renting the first floor and the basement.)

The redevelopment commission gave initial approval to the Portland Downtown Economic Development Plan in December 2023. It has since been approved by Portland Plan Commission and Portland City Council before returning to the redevelopment commission Friday, with members Rusty Inman, Reda Theurer-Miller, Dave Teeter, Joe Johnston and Mike Simons approving it unanimously. 

The board members also approved putting out a request for proposals for redevelopment of the Hood Building. If there are no proposals submitted for the site, the redevelopment commission would be able to negotiate directly with developers.

Also related to the TIF district, the board approved work completed by Baker Tilly on a tax impact statement that was sent to local taxing units.

The redevelopment commission also approved its 2025 spending plan, which must be submitted to the (DLGF).

Portland building and business owner Emily Goodrich also presented two requests to the commission — one for funding to assist with a water line issue and another to expand the riverfront district.

Goodrich explained to the commission that a “shoot-off” of a water line that goes to a display window at Patriot Sportswear has been the subject of frequent problems. She has been advised that there is no longer a way to fix the “shoot-off” anymore. She noted that the line the “shoot-off” comes from runs under the Hawkins Building and its annex (101 through 111 N. Meridian St.) and is unmetered until a four-way split at the east side of the building. When there is an issue and water needs to be shut off, it effects the bulk of the building including Patriot Sportswear, Patriot Fitness and Blessings Photography.

She said the building needs a new water line from the city main to the four meters.

Goodrich added that city water department superintendent Doug Jackson has advised her that a new line would be the responsibility building owner. She asked the redevelopment commission for funding for a new line, presenting potential solutions ranging from $11,412.10 to $15,500.

Several redevelopment commission members expressed their feeling that the responsibility for running a line from the main to the meters should be the responsibility of the city. City attorney Wes Schemenaur recommended that Goodrich take the issue to the city’s board of works.

Goodrich also asked about the possibility of expanding the city’s riverfront district to include the Good-Rich Brewery & Taproom property at 128 E. McNeil St. She explained that she’d like to add on to the existing building to install a commercial kitchen in order to provide space for start-up restaurants on a short-term basis.

Through the riverfront district, a business can be provided with a liquor license if they sell at least $150,000 in food annually, have more than 50% of their sales in food and are open for at least 300 days per year. Portland’s district was created in late 2021 and includes Meridian Street from Water Street to about Arch Street and also extends west along Walnut Street to just past Commerce Street and Main Street to between Ship and Pleasant streets.

CWC Latitudes consultant Ed Curtin, who works with the redevelopment commission, pointed out that for an area to be made part of the riverfront district it must be located within a designated economic development area, redevelopment project area, urban renewal area or redevelopment area, an economic development project district or a community revitalization enhancement district. The McNeil Street site currently does not meet any of those criteria. 

Curtin said the city council would need to establish one of the above areas or districts if it is interested in expanding the riverfront district.

In other business:

•Portland clerk-treasurer Lori Phillips provided the financial report, which shows it has a balance of $992,960.30.

•Theurer-Miller told commission members that Portland Main Street Connect will be hosting meetings for downtown building and business owners at 1 and 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20, at Community Resource Center. Information will be provided about funding opportunities, building permits, occupancy and safety.

•Phillips reminded commission members that a new state law goes into effect July 1 that will require that all government meetings are livestreamed and recorded. For that reason, the redevelopment commission meetings that are currently held at Community Resource Center will shift to city council chambers at the fire station. (Recording and livestreaming equipment has been installed in council chambers and was tested this week.)

•Following a question from Inman, all commission members said they are willing to continue serving in 2025. (They are appointed to one-year terms, with two seats appointed by the mayor and three by city council.)