Planned housing projects discussed

The Portland Redevelopment Commission discussed the status of proposed developments on 68 acres on the west side of Portland and the upper three floors of the Hood Building during its meeting Friday.

Consultant Ed Curtin of CWC Latitudes updated commission members Rusty Inman, Joe Johnston and Mike Simons — with Reda Theurer-Miller and Dave Teeter absent — about a recent meeting with representatives from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) regarding Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) 2.0 funding. (Both projects are READI 2.0 applicants.)

In April 2024, the state announced an award of $35 million to the East Central Region, which includes Jay, Blackford, Randolph, Delaware, Grant, Henry, Wayne and Fayette counties. At that time, the expectation was that regional officials would identify finalist projects by late summer 2024, with funding announcements to follow

Though local officials have been informed about which projects are expected to receive funding, there has been no official announcement from the state.

“They have been saying for a long time that they’re ready to make an announcement and we’re still not at that point yet,” said Curtin.

He explained that the state is waiting for at least 65% of the funds from the first iteration of READI to be spent before moving forward with READI 2.0.

Curtin noted that the recent meeting with IEDC representatives resulted in a letter regarding potential funding for the 68-acre project. It states that the project has received a “pre-commitment offer” of $1.2 million but also clarifies that the letter does not guarantee a formal offer.

“That really is a big step in the right direction for that project,” said Curtin.

He noted that the estimated cost of the first phase of the project is $3.81 million. The county has committed its remaining $1.28 million in federal coronavirus relief funds through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Combined with the potential READI 2.0 funding, the total committed to the project is $2.491 million.

Curtin said one of the next steps will be to determine where the remaining $1.37 million in funding will come from.

The Portland Redevelopment Commission did not discuss the Jay County Redevelopment Commission’s decision Wednesday to withdraw its previous $1.5 million commitment to the first phase of the project.

In response to questions from Johnston, Curtin explained that READI 2.0 is a reimbursement program. Funds must first be spent on the project and then they are reimbursed by the state.

Curtin also outlined the scope of the first phase of the project, saying it is planned to include sanitary sewer, a lift station, water connection, some electrical work and stormwater retention.

He said the goal is to be ready to bid the project in early fall. (The request for proposals would cover the entirety of the project, which targets development of single-family homes, duplexes and multi-family housing units in addition to commercial space along Votaw Street to be completed in multiple phases.) The contract would then be awarded in November with construction on the first phase expected to begin in spring 2026.

Curtin also reported that work is continuing with a developer toward a development agreement for the Hood Building.

“They’re kind of anxious to get moving on it,” said Curtin.

The building is home to The Graphic Printing Company, publisher of The Commercial Review. The redevelopment commission purchased the building from the company, which now rents the basement and first floor, in December 2023 as a target for potential development. Previous discussions have focused on apartments for the upper three floors of the building.

“In my position, it’s super exciting,” said Ceann Bales, executive director of the Jay County Development Corporation. “I look forward to seeing it come to fruition and thank you for all your efforts.”

The redevelopment commission also briefly discussed Portland Main Street Connect’s planters, which typically line the streets in the downtown area. Johnston and Inman said their understanding was that the planters, which were removed during the Indiana Department of Transportation’s construction project on U.S. 27 (Meridian Street) in 2024, would be back in place by July 1. Bales, who is a member of the Main Street committee, said the plan is to get them back out with mums or other foliage this fall.

Inman also brought up the “no turn on red” signs in the downtown area. Portland Mayor Jeff Westlake, as he has at multiple city council meetings, said he is pushing INDOT to remove at least a few of the signs. He explained that INDOT requires the signs if there isn’t at least a 300-foot sightline.