Viability concerns

Portland Redevelopment Commission spent most of its meeting Friday discussing the county’s planned development of 68 acres on the city’s west side.

Members expressed concern about planning for the project and the ability to fund the overall vision moving forward.

Consultant Ed Curtin of CWC Latitudes updated the redevelopment commission on the project, which calls for commercial space along Votaw Street (Indiana 26/67) and 76 single-family homes, eight duplexes and 154 multi-family units. He noted that a recent meeting of county and city officials and others was intended to get everyone on the same page regarding the project.

“Up until that point, the city hadn’t really been engaged in how or if they wanted to participate in the project,” Curtin said.

Commissioners purchased the land for potential development in February 2023 and hired Rundell Ernstberger and Associates of Indianapolis for planning the project six months later. Representatives from the firm presented an initial concept design in March 2024.

The overall project is estimated at $25.5 million. The county is currently focused on an initial step — about $3.6 million — that involves utility connections.

Curtin noted that Portland Redevelopment Commission could contribute to the project financially or with incentives for a developer as the project is in the city’s existing tax increment financing (TIF) district.

Redevelopment commission members raised questions about financing for the project, with Reda Theurer-Miller asking if it can move forward without Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) 2.0 dollars. 

The county contributed $1.24 million in federal coronavirus relief dollars from the American Rescue Plan Act to go toward the project. A $1.5 million commitment from Jay County Redevelopment Commission is contingent on READI 2.0 funding. (Local officials have said the county is expected to receive $1.2 million in READI funds — its request was about $4 million — but announcements confirming that money have not yet been made by state officials.)

Joe Johnston of Portland Redevelopment Commission questioned the viability of the project long-term.

“If we’re struggling for finances in project 1A now, where’s the financing going to come for 1B?” he asked.

County attorney Wes Schemenaur said the idea was that by getting utilities in place the site would be more attractive to potential developers, adding that CB Development of Geneva and RCS Construction of Celina, Ohio, have expressed interest. Curtin agreed that the infrastructure is the lynchpin of the project.

Regarding a potential financial commitment from the city’s redevelopment corporation, Johnston said his review of finances indicates that the bulk of its funds are already committed. Portland clerk-treasurer Lori Phillips confirmed Johnston’s assessment, saying most of the money is set to go toward bond payments or other projects and initiatives.

Ultimately, Curtin asked Portland Redevelopment Commission members if they are supportive of the project philosophically.

“I think it’s tough to be right now,” said Theurer-Miller. “And the reason I say that is because I don’t think the planning was in place. I don’t think there was a strategy around how we get to where we need to go … 

“It wasn’t an inclusive kind of situation. It was done exclusively. That, again, makes it difficult to get behind a project that really needs to involve an entire community. … A project of that magnitude requires a lot of people sitting at a table to determine what’s the best way to get there and how do we get there together.”

Jay County Redevelopment Commission member Chuck Huffman said that while he has not polled members of the group, “my read on it is that we’re perilously close to just pulling the $1.5 million off the table, with or without READI coming through.” He concurred with Theurer-Miller’s comments about the process not being inclusive, saying Jay County Redevelopment Commission was approached at the last minute for matching funds for the county’s READI 2.0 application last summer.

Johnston asked Portland Mayor Jeff Westlake if Portland City Council has had open discussion about the project. He said it has not.

Westlake said he is in favor of development in general but that there are also other things that need to be addressed in the city. He speculated that the city could consider a contribution if there is a timeline in place and the ability to claw back funds if progress is not made.

Johnston suggested that Portland Redevelopment Commission step back and see what happens with READI funding and discussion amongst the city council and potentially meet again to discuss the project next month.

The redevelopment commission also heard an update from Theurer-Miller on Portland Main Street Connect.

The organization met recently with officials from Indiana Department of Transportation, which agreed to purchase eight planters for use in the areas of the new bump-outs in downtown Portland. (They will be similar to those already used in the downtown area.) When the planters are placed, barricades will be removed.

Theurer-Miller also noted that a Portland Main Street Connect planning committee held a couple of meetings with local stakeholders and discussed issues such as addressing ordinances, creating relationships with owners of vacant properties and sprucing up the downtown area.

In other business, the commission:

•Heard from Theurer-Miller veterans banners will be hung in the downtown area in time for an event Saturday, May 17. It will include a memorial ceremony for veterans at 3 p.m. at Freedom Park, an Arch Bridge Kroozers car show and a Main Street festival.

•Briefly discussed its economic development plan, with Theurer-Miller asking how frequently the commission should be referring back to it and how often it should be updated in order to make sure it does not become outdated. Curtin said it should be referred to regularly as the commission reviews projects.

•Approved an updated contract with Curtin that details the duties he is responsible for handling. His original contract was signed in 2019.

•Agreed that it would continue to capture all of the assessed value available to it through the tax increment financing (TIF) district.

•Heard the financial report, which shows a balance of $850,618.25.