SRC Adds Four Properties For Potential Acquisition(March 21 update) The amended property acquisition list. Owner Robert E. Butler And Robert L. Butler Parcel number 9002618 Estimated price of $152,500 Helen Kellam Parcel numbers 9003030, 9002966 estimated price of $210,000 Speedway Industrial Park 9049467 estimated price of $1,250,000 Dotlich Inc 9049466 estimated value $175,000. (posted Mar 20, updated Mar 21) The Speedway Redevelopment Commission’s March 19 adopted resolution that placed four more properties on the Speed Zone Redevelopment Area’s acquisition list met with property owners’ resistance and concerns. Attorney David Given, representing the Dotlich family’s interests in the Speedway Industrial Park, requested the commission take the estimated 50-acre tract off the list because it is “handcuffing” the Dotlich family to expand the park with additional tenants. Bev Alexander of Dotlich Inc. said the family split the business into Dotlich Crane Service and the Speedway Industrial Park in 1990. Mr. Given is not representing Dotlich Inc. even though it is listed on the acquisition list. Alexander sent a letter on March 15 objecting to the SRC’s list, but the letter was never formally acknowledged nor mentioned by the SRC during the public hearing. This is not a requirement of the public hearing process. Alexander has the letter dated and stamped that it was received March 16 by the Town Manager. Based on Alexander’s research of the IC 36-7-14.17.5, the letter states the SRC’s amendment to the acquisition list “lacks substance.” From her interpretation of the statute, “We see a lack of substance of the proposed amendment, and the amendment is not reasonable and appropriate when considered in relation to the original redevelopment plan as well as the notice does not define the proposed use of land. Dotlich, Inc. objects to the listed price as being considerably …extremely below our independent appraisal.” Dotlich Inc. has about seven acres. The estimated list price is at $175,000. Given said the Dotlich family disputes the commission’s decision to label the industrial park as blighted, noting $1.5 million in added improvements and growth have occurred at the park. “It is not a deteriorating property. A 200,000 square foot facility has been added with a tenant requesting an expansion of 50,000 square feet,” Given said. The tenant is not sure if he should invest in the expansion if the SRC plans to purchase the site. Given said the Dotlich family was under the impression that the SRC wanted only part of the site, and was not aware the entire site was targeted for acquisition. The family wants to retain ownership of the property. “It does impair development plans,” he said Commissioner Ron Fisher asked if the Dotlich family was willing to work with the SRC for the Brownfield Assessment Area. The town recently received a $230,000 EPA grant to assess brownfields for clean up in the 350 acre redevelopment area. The EPA requires the responsible property owner to mitigate the brownfield. Given never really answered the question, but did say that engineers are on the site to study the flood plain and to improve the area. On March 21, Given acknowledged no determination has been made whether to appeal the SRC’s decision. “We are still trying to get our arms around it. It is relatively new,” he said. When asked if a dollar amount has been calculated on their economic harm during the tenant’s time of indecision, Given explained his client has not calculated the amount. His client is still within the window of the appeal process, but Given hopes the commission will amend the list again to exclude the industrial park. Commission President Scott Harris said Given’s comments were “food for thought” and were open to discussions. Susan Luebbert, owner of Speedway Monogramming, said that since the SRC was created, it has placed the whole area on hold for business owners. Potential buyers have pulled back because of the cloud of “indecision” that hangs over future development. “The small business owner can’t move forward,” she said. Liz Glover, owner of Charlie Brown, hoped the commission would not completely nix the property owners out, but allow the property owners to become investors. Norm Gallivan, owner of the former Electric Steel Casting, continues to pursue his dream of redeveloping 1045 Main Street despite that the property is on SRC’s prior acquisition list. Gallivan has a concept plan that would change the corner into a mixed use plan of offices, office warehouses, retail, and second floor condominiums. He said within the next week he plans to seek a rezoning petition called a special commercial district, so he can implement his plan. He hopes this concept plan will remove him from the SRC’s acquisition list. If not, he expressed his desire that the SRC will appraise the property at its highest and best use value. |
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