Mayor Challenges 40 West(posted Oct 18) Mayor Bart Peterson "hit the nail on the head" with his summation that a broader unified organization at the grassroots level is needed to help Wayne Township with economic vitality. Those were the words from District 13 City County Councilman Robert Lutz after listening to the Mayor's speech at the 40 West Professional and Business Club meeting Oct 17. The Mayor credited Westside Community News publisher Jackie Deppe for inviting him to address the club. He explained the Deppe met him a month earlier to discuss a plan about giving "a shot of adrenaline" to Wayne Township's economic development. The Mayor did not diminish their current efforts noting, Wayne Township has been active about tax issues and the airport. He is pushing to have the current airport terminal returned to the tax rolls when the Midfield Terminal opens in 2008. The environmental technical studies are being conducted to see what can be done with the property. He noted the process is more complicated since the federal dollars are involved in funding the airport, but it is a top concern that Wayne Township stakeholders have input to the reuse plan. The Mayor quickly pointed out the plan has to come from the neighborhoods and not the 25th floor of the city county building. He said he learned early as Mayor that one unified Marion County plan for economic development does not work because each area of the county has its unique strengths and weaknesses. He noted Warren Township needed its own economic development plan because of the big empty retail boxes. It was the Warren Township Development Association that requested help from the Mayor's office to stop the business flight out of the Washington Square area on the east side. He said five year special tax abatements were given to businesses if they would would fill the empty buildings. No questions or conditions were stipulated. He said tax abatement is an indispensable tool used to give the area momentum to attract growth that otherwise continued to face a declining tax base. He noted that Lafayette Square Area received a state assistance program called Community Revitalization Enhancement Program that gives non retail businesses a 25 percent tax credit for making improvements and creating jobs. The Mayor noted the upswing of the LSA is attributed to a well organized group, the Lafayette Square Area Coalition, and its president Mary Clark. The Mayor called Mary "a model for the nation," for her efforts to organizing a turn around in the area. He also noted that Franklin Township created a speculative tax abatement program to increase economic activity. He said that six parcels have been identified to receive this special abatement, given to developers whom are willing to take a risk. Franklin Township was losing its commercial development to Hendricks, Hancock and Johnson Counties because of their speculative abatement programs. He noted at first that the township rebuked economic development until the township became imbalanced with residential growth, causing taxes to skyrocket with continued strain on the residential tax base to support local government. He cited that the Franklin Township Chamber of Commerce led the way for economic growth. The mayor used the three examples to make a point that although they each had their own plan, each area had a unified group that the city could work with. Wayne Township needs a unified effort. Merri Anderson, president of Greater Garden City Civic Association, noted that a group called WEST, Wayne Economic Strategy Tomorrow, is trying to be that unified group to focus more on the entire township. WEST is comprised of businesses and residents stakeholders. She said the first area of concern is the Washington Street corridor, but it is not the only concern. "Washington Street is the poster child for redevelopment," she said. Anderson said the group started as a culmination from last year's celebration of the 200th anniversary of the National Road. She said Washington Street use to be the economic engine to Wayne Township and Anderson believes it can happen again by focusing on the township's assets. She said the 40 West is part of WEST. Anderson hopes WEST will be successful to get more people motivated to be involved. During the question and answer period after Peterson's talk, Brad Belles told the Mayor that the facade of economic development doesn't work without good infrastructure and drainage. Engineer Howard Dillon explained that poor drainage and lack of sanitary sewers to the south side of Rockville Road neighborhoods west of High School is causing septic systems to back up into the nearby ditch. The Mayor agreed with Belles and told Dillon that he wanted to hear these issues so he could send out DPW to solve the issues. He dubbed this meeting as just "the beginning". If things go as he plans, he will return to the area as a third term mayor to provide assistance. If not, he said he would come back to "join 40 West." "I am very happy that the Mayor came to motivate us," Deppe said. |
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